Reprint of a news paper column - newspaper: - Tuesday, August 4, 1936                           

WITH FREDERICK GRAHAM

NEWS-PRESS SPORTS EDITOR  

OF THE THREE GREATEST high jumpers in the world, one is a Glendale boy - Delos Thurber.  Of the four fastest humans, one is Glendale boy - Frank Wykoff.

A part of the Olympic slogan reads: "The important thing is not winning but fighting well."

Glendale may be proud of these two young men for a number of reasons, most important to me being the fact that they delivered the best that was in them.  And that's all any coach, any friend, or any country can ask.

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THURBER JUMPED AS HIGH as Cromwell hoped he would. Frank ran as fast as he was expected to.  He had been running the 100 meters in preliminary meets in 10.5 and 10.6.

Today in the semi-final he finished a yard behind the most astounding sprinter of all time, Jesse Owens.  Owens was clocked in 10.4, Wykoff in 10.5. A little later they ran in the final.  The Buckeye Bullet, who unofficially shattered the world mark yesterday, made his brilliant Olympic bid.  He pulled away at the ten meters mark and flashed over the line in the record-tying time of 10.3.  (Ralph) Metcalfe finished second, probably in 10.4.  Osendarp of Holland was clocked in 10.5 and Wykoff's time may be judged at no less than 10.6.

THE GLENDALE VETERAN of three Olympics could by stretch of the imagination be expected to better than he did.  After eight years he bettered in the preliminaries and equalled in the finals the time which qualified him in 1928.

This performance is a tribute to his sincerity in training his sense of responsibility to his team, and represents the best he had in him.  What a contrast to such disappointment as Don Lash, and Jack Torrance.  Frank and Delos play the game, gave their best and are entitled to our deep-sporting gratitude.

*     *     *     *

FRANK WILL HAVE another chance - in the relay - and you can make a sporting bet that he will run the fastest lap.

Four or five of the men who kicked in to send Frank to the final Olympic tryouts in New York called this morning.  All said the same thing:  "I just wanted you to know that I'm satisfied.  I got my money's worth."

*     *     *     *

ODDLY ENOUGH the morning mail brings a letter from Frank (Wykoff), written July 17 aboard the S.S. Manhattan. 

Dear Frederick:

Sure wish you could be on this boat, for being a sportswriter you would find plenty to keep yourself busy.

I certainly appreciate what you did for me, and in case I can ever be of assistance to you please ask.

So far our trip across has been perfect, the weather is cool and water smooth.  It is very interesting watching all the athletes work out for their various events here on board the ship.

The food is swell, but knowing my failing in 1928 and having gained ten pounds (aboard the SS Roosevelt en-route to Amsterdam - 1928) I am holding back on eating.  Give my regards to Charley Park.

I don't suppose I will have much time to get packed and move back to school when I get home, but I want to drop in and see you if possible.  In case I don't please don't think I' one of those athletes who forgets and doesn't appreciate what's been done for him.

Wishing you a very pleasant summer, I remain  ..

Your friend,

Frank (Wykoff)

P.S. - Please excuse the writing, I'm not drunk, it's the ship.  

*     *     *     *

IT HAS BEEN a pleasant summer.  Not only for me but for scores of people in this city who had some small part in this Olympic Adventure.  We have seen two young men with a sense of pride in sportsmanship fight for a chance to represent America, and win.  We have figuratively sailed with them and done a good share of their worrying and an (--- ?) lot of hoping.

We have seen them both do what we knew they would do - deep training, behave like gentlemen, and perform to the best of their ability.

That, my friends, constitutes our money's worth!