Earl McKown was a world-class pole vaulter while a member of the Emporia State University track & field team from 1922-25, lettering all four years.  In 1922, he established the world indoor record with a vault of 12’10".  Two years later, his winning vault of 13’2 7/8" at the Drake Relays set a world collegiate record for an outdoor meet.  During most of his career, he held the pole vault record in nearly every meet he had competed in, including the Kansas Relays, the Drake Relays, and the Kansas Conference.