John Carpenter

John Carpenter placed third in the 1908 IC4A 440 yard, while running for Cornell. He was part of the controversial 1908 400 metre final. Carpenter was drawn on the inside with Wyndham Halswelle, William Robbins, and John Taylor outside him in that order. Carpenter entered the home straight with Halswelle at his shoulder, but at this point, Carpenter, in order to prevent Halswelle from passing him, moved progressively farther towards the outside of the track, forcing Halswelle to within 18 inches of the outside curb. By this time the British officials had seen enough and Dr. Arthur Roscoe Badger, the judge on the final bend, ran up the track signaling the judges to break the tape. Carpenter crossed the line in an unofficial 48.4, while Halswelle slowed to a jog. After a lengthy inquiry on the evening the race, Carpenter was disqualified and the race was ordered to be re-run two days later, in lanes, but without Carpenter. The other Americans refused to compete in the re-race, and Halswelle won the gold medal in a walkover.

Personal Best: 400 – 49.3e (1905).