Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. Winner of one gold and two silver medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics. Barney Ewell was considered one of the world's leading sprinters of the 1940s. He attended John Piersol McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. McCaskey High School honored Mr. Ewell by dedicating their stadium in his name. Mr. Ewell was also inducted into the J.P. McCaskey Athletic Hall of Fame during the school's 50th anniversary year in 1988. He was considered Pennsylvania's greatest high school sprinter-jumper in the mid-1930s, but he first achieved renown while a student at Pennsylvania State University, running the 100 meter and 200 meter races and winning 12 gold medals and championships in collegiate meets between 1940 and 1942. He also won 11 gold medals in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national meets between 1939 and 1948. He was an outstanding long jumper as well, leaping 25 feet 2 inches (7.68 meters) in 1942. He served his country during World War II from 1941 to 1945, returned to Pennsylvania State University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1947. He made the 1948 Olympic team, equaling the world record of 10.2 seconds in the 100 meter dash at the 1948 AAU championship, which was also the Olympic trials. At the Olympic Games in London, he thought he had won the 100 meter race only to learn the victory was given to teammate Harrison Dillard. In the 200 meter race, Ewell had another close finish and again finished second; this time to teammate Mel Patton. He was added to the 4 men 100 meter relay when Ed Conwell became sick and the American team rolled to an easy victory. However, the exchange between Ewell and Lorenzo Wright was ruled out of the zone and the American team was disqualified. The gold medal was awarded to Britain but, three days later, a jury of appeal viewed films of the race. After viewing a film of the race the officials reversed the ruling, and Barney Ewell finally had his Olympic gold medal. Barney Ewell also took part in the Scottish Border games circuit during the summer of 1950. He won one of the most prestigious sprints on the Border Games circuit at Jedburgh. Running off scratch over 120 yards he ran a time of 11.37 seconds. He also took part in a special invitation race in August that same year to mark his time in Scotland (run as a handicap race) over 120 yards at the famous Powderhall venue. Barney from the scratch mark lost narrowly to Albert C Charles (off 12.5yds).