Frank Wykoff's  sister, Mabel, suffered from severe asthma attacks, and her doctor recommended that the family move to Colorado -- where the air was fresher; however, the Wykoff family suffered a great loss when Mabel died from pneumonia when she was 13 years old. Frank went into a deep state of depression, because he and his sister were very close.

When Frank was ten years old (1919),  he and his family moved to  617 Portland Avenue, Glendale CA.  where Frank attended both elementary & High School.

CHARLIE PADDOCK -- WYKOFF'S BOYHOOD  IDOL

As a young boy at an elementary school in Glendale, California, Frank became engrossed with the athletic success of Charlie Paddock -- an Olympic Champion sprinter; and he began to copy his style with the determination of one day being on the same track & field in amateur competition along side of Charlie Paddock, and defeating him.

Frank's father and mother didn't encourage Frank in sports --they were distressed over the death of their daughter, Mabel; and didn't want Frank to get hurt playing sports for any reason.

In 1927, Frank Wykoff and the Glendale Relay Team won the California Track & Field State Championship.