Bernard Lucas

Lancashire-born, Bernard Lucas went to America in 1912 at the age of five when his father accepted an appointment at a paper mill in Maine. He attended Bowdoin College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in chemistry. In 1928 he went to Europe with the aim of making the British Olympic team and competing at the World University Games and succeeded in both objectives. Although narrowly failing to reach the AAA 120y hurdles final, he was selected for the Olympics. Later in August he won the hurdles at the World University Games in Paris, clocking 15.6 in both heat and final. While at Bowdoin he was particularly successful as an indoor hurdler, and in 1926 he equaled what was said to be the world record of 5.8 for the 45y hurdles and also finished fourth in the IC4A indoor 75y hurdles. After his one season in Europe he returned to Maine where he worked as a research chemist and later as a sales executive with a paper company.

Personal Bests: 120yH – 15.0 (1928).