Biography of Frank Wykoff
1927 - 1936

"When I grow up,
I'll beat Charley Paddock!"

and eight years later, at the 1928 Olympic trials
he did just that!!!

How did Wykoff achieve such a conquest?
Frank copied Paddock's running style,
and then used it against him!

1927 - Overview

Frank Wykoff, a Junior at Glendale High School, goaled himself to build up his sprinting speed in order to surpass records established by Olympic Champion, Charley Paddock.

Early in the 1927 Track & Field Season Wykoff was amazingly clocked in the 100-yard dash at 9.4/5s. Also included on the page is a reprint of a newspaper article captioned "Glendale is Proud of Her Star Sprinters."

Wykoff, a Junior at Glendale High School was instrumental in the team earning the State of California Championship Cup in 1927.

Enter  1927 Athletic Index

1928 - Overview

At age 18, Frank Wykoff, was a senior at Glendale High School in California. Local Sports writers believed that Wykoff was destined to become the new "Fastest Human" -- a title only held by Charles Paddock since 1921.

Wykoff was determined to dethrone Paddock of all his titles -- especially after Paddock "opined" that Wykoff would not make the 1928 USA Olympic Team.

On June 16, 1928 at the Regional Olympic Tryouts - held in Los Angeles -- "flying start," Wykoff, hit the tape first leaving Mr. "flying finish," Charlie Paddock, behind in both the 100M and 200M races.

Wykoff earned a place on the USA Olympic Team, but before the final try-outs -- he had to prove he was an American Citizen in order to acquire a passport to Amsterdam.

Wykoff traveled to Massachusetts to compete in 1928 Olympic Finals where he equaled Paddock's World Record (10 2/5s) time in the 100 Meter race four times in one day.

His outstanding exhibition of sprinting skills brought him instant fame as dozens of newspaper men with cameras encircled him. Wykoff's photograph appeared on the sports page of every major newspaper in the United States, and especially in his home-town community -- where many pages were devoted to whom they referred to as their "Glendale's Hero." Sports artists began including him in their caricature impressions.

Frank Wykoff along with other athletes gained 10 lbs prior to their arrival at Amsterdam. There was little room aboard to practice necessary exercises, and the USA Olympic Committee was accused by Wykoff's High School Coach, Norm Hayhurst, of flourishing the athletes with improper diets including daily parlor banquets consisting of roast goose, turkey and ice cream.

At Amsterdam, there were no living accommodations for the athletes, and they were offered no choice but to live aboard a floating hotel for the duration of their stay. The opening of the Olympics Games was fast approaching, but the Olympic host didn't have the track prepared for competition.

Newspaper articles concerning
 "The Floating Hotel"
 at Amsterdam include:

1. Athletes Harmed by Boat Quarters
2.   "Lack of Training Facilities" at Amsterdam
3. Track not ready for Athletes in Amsterdam
4. Training on a voyage difficult

The weather at Amsterdam was cold and stormy, and although Frank Wykoff only placed 4th in the 100 Meters race; he was "lead off -- leading the 400 Meter Relay team to a golden victory.

Wykoff's Homecoming was festive, and Charley Paddock paid a special tribute to Frank at the banquet.

While at Glendale Jr. College (1928-1929), Wykoff wrote an article that was published both in the local newspaper and the college's newsletter entitled entitled "Rise To Fame."

Enter 1928 Athletic Index

1929 - Overview

Frank Wykoff, Charley Paddock, Milton Mauer, and Maurice Guyer earn the A.A.U. National Championship in both the 440 and 880 Relay race under coach Dean Cromwell.

The most controversial race in his life was at Vancouver in July 1929 when Frank Wykoff - CA, Eddie Tolan - Detroit, and Olympic Champion, Percy Williams of Canada all believed that they placed 1st in the 100 yard dash. American newspapers went wild when Williams was declared the winner. See the photos -- you decide.

Enter 1929 Athletic Index
 

1930 - Overview

The year 1930 was a very exciting year for Frank Wykoff.  He was a  Sophomore at U. S. C. when he SET A NEW WORLD RECORD in the 100 YARD DASH without starting blocks not knowing then that his record would stand undefeated for 17 years. Two weeks later, he equaled his own new pending World Record at a NCAA Championship Race and was awarded "All American."

Enter 1930 Athletic Index

1931 - Overview

Frank Wykoff  sustained more injuries, and became concerned that he would not be physically able to participate in the Olympic Trials of 1932.

He spent much of his time promoting the Olympics, and tutoring famous actor, Joe E. Brown, on sprinting techniques for Brown's star role in the movie "Local Boy Makes Good." See the photographs taken behind the scenes.

In the summer, Frank was energized with hope when he finally defeated Olympic Champion, Percy Williams of Canada at a Pre-Olympic event held for the first time in the evening at the Los Angeles Coliseum in California.

Blocking his pain in his mind, he went on to win what he called his "greatest race" in Lincoln, Nebraska in July, 1931.

Enter 1931 Athletic Index

1932 Overview:

The 1932 Olympics brought color and festivities to Los Angeles, California -- Wykoff's home turf. The men were privy to a new concept in lodging -- called an Olympic Village; but the women were not so lucky, and were stuck in a hotel.

There was even more excitement as the U.S.A. 400 meter relay team, anchored by Wykoff, brought in a Gold Medal in world record time at the 10th Olympiad.

Wykoff graduated U. S. C. and went on to be a coach of football and track & field at Moran School for Boys in Atascadero, CA.

Enter 1932 Athletic Index

1933 Overview:

Frank Wykoff married Ethel Mae Richardson this year.
 

1934 Overview:

In 1934, Frank Wykoff, who was 24 years old and a teacher at Carpinteria Elementary School -- set a new 'flying start' world record in the 100-yard dash to beat at 8.7s. removing the mark of 8.8s set by Charley Paddock in 1922. Wykoff's record of 8.7s made the 'Ripley's Believe it or not' index.

Enter 1934 Athletic Index

1935  Overview:

In 1935, Frank Wykoff was a 25 year old teacher at Carpinteria Union Elementary School in Carpinteria, California.
 

1936  Overview:

Frank Wykoff considered the 1936 Olympics in Berlin the most exciting that he had ever participated in. He had been away from track & field for years, and found himself struggling to even place 5th or 6th during his comeback.

The competition was tough, but he found determination paid off as he won the right on the boat to Berlin  (S.S. Manhattan) to represent the USA in the XI Olympiad.

The 1936 USA 400 meter relay team consisting of Frank Wykoff, Jesse Owens, Ralph Metcalfe, and Foy Draper, not only brought in the gold -- they established a new World Record.

Enter 1936 Athletic Index

[1927] [1928] [1929] [1930] [1931] [1932] [1933] [1934] [1935] [1936] [Other Years]
 

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