(Peru, Neb.) – Mel Larsen is the 60th of 84 individuals and/or teams being recognized as part of the lead up to the 31^st Peru State Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
 
As Nebraska and Peru State are both celebrating their 150^th birthdays, the College is also hosting special events throughout the year. The next big event on campus will be the Peru State Athletic Hall of Fame banquet which will take place on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23.
 
As a lead up to the upcoming Hall of Fame event, the 84 individuals and/or teams will be recognized on a daily basis with one noted on each of the 84 days prior to the event.
 
Larsen, originally from Hampton, was inducted for his success as a member of the track and field team while at Peru State. However, even meritoriously, Larsen was recognized for his athletic achievements after returning to competition after serving the country during World War II. In addition, his efforts extended into his 80's as a participant in many World Master Championships.
 
The inscription on Larsen's plaque which is exhibited in the upper lobby of the Al Wheeler Activity Center reads as follows: "Melvin attended PSC in 1942 and 1943. In the spring of 1943 the Navy's Officer Training Program sent him to Iowa State. Melvin became a member of the Cyclones track team that won the 1943-44 and 1944-45 indoor and outdoor Big Six Championships. At the latter meet, he qualified for the NCAA Championships where he became All-American in the long jump.

The Illinois Senior Olympic program began in 1983. It was during the first year of the program at the age of 59 that Melvin won the Illinois Senior Olympic long jump. He continued to win the long jump as well as the 100 and 200 meter dashes for fifteen consecutive years. Melvin holds both American and World Masters Track and Field records.

At age 83 Melvin is preparing for the world championship meet in Italy. He will compete in a field of 6,000-8,000 athletes."
 
The following is some additional information regarding Larsen's selection from his nomination file.
 
At the time of his induction, Larsen held 17 world or American age group records for senior competitors in track and field – from sprints to hurdles to long jump. He had one record for the 65-69 age group, four records for the 70-74 age group, seven records for the 74-79 age group, and three records for team events for the 70-79 age groups.
 
He had two world records which he set after turning 80 or more: Outdoor long jump of 13'9" and outdoor 80 m hurdles in 14.75 seconds. A Des Moines Register staff writer David Peterson said, "At 80 years old in 2004, he (Larsen) was the fastest runner in the world for his age."
 
In 2010, Larsen was selected for the Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame.
 
Larsen was still racing as late as last year. He won the 50 meter dash in the 90-94 year old age group with a time of 16.63. The previous year he won both the 50 meter and 100 meter dashes.
 
Larsen's professional career came in the area of engineering as he was a Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in Iowa and a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State in civil engineering.
 
Larsen was inducted into the Peru State Hall of Fame on Oct. 13, 2007, as a member of the 20th class. He currently lives in Ames, Iowa.
 
The public is invited to attend the Hall of Fame event. For more information and details, contact Deborah Solie at the College's Foundation at 402-872-2395 or dsolie@peru.edu.