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The A. A. U. barred the use of starting blocks at the up-coming
championship competition to be held in Denver on July 3, 4, and 5th -
1929. |
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Note: Reprint of an article
written by Special Correspondent, Lawrence Perry, that appeared in the
Glendale News-Press Newspaper June (?), 1929:
A. A. U. BARS STARTING BLOCKS
FROM THE DENVER 1929 MEET
___________
BLOCKS WILL NOT BE
USED
BY SPRINTERS
_________
Starting blocks for sprinters will not be allowed at the National A.
A. U. track and field championships, to be held at Denver July 3, 4,
and 5, it was announced last night by Leslie A. Henry, National track
and filed chairman and L. A. A. C. official.
"These blocks have never been accepted by the A. A. U. or the
International Athletic federation and as the national championship
will be held under the jurisdiction of the amateur union the blocks
will be out at Denver," said Henry.
"We want every record made to be absolutely official and if Wykoff,
Bracey
or Simpson runs a 9 2-5 second century we
want the mark accepted in America and by the International Federation
as well."
Henry will accompany his L. A. A. C. team to Denver on June 29 and
will be in full charge of the championship meet. Mercury
athletes are now working daily in preparation for Saturday's final
tryout meet to be held at the Coliseum. The team of 35 men will
not be announced until then.
___________
"Suits Us
Fine"
Declares Wykoff And Coach When Starting Blocks Barred
___________
Use of Foot Blocks Now Threatens To Nullify Simpson's 9 2-5
___________
GREYHOUND LIKES REGULAR METHOD
___________
Old Type of Holes Favored By National Champion; May Bother Simpson
___________
By DON ASHBAUGH
(Glendale) News-Press Sports Editor
"That suits us fine," declared Coach Normal Hayhurst and his
flitting protégé, Frank Wykoff, the national 100-yard champion, this
morning when they heard that Leslie A. Henry, track and field chairman
of the A. A. U. had barred starting blocks from the Denver meet.
"Personally, I can't see that the blocks are any help and I don't see
any reason for cluttering up the track and creating dissension on any
possible records by using them," Hayhurst declared.
DOESN'T LIKE PROPS
(Frank) Wykoff has not liked the blocks, what little he has
tried them. He used them somewhat in his workouts at Bovard
field during the last week so that if they were used at Denver he
would not find them strange. He asserts that they are more of a
hindrance than a help in his case. He had already decided to run
from the old-fashioned, legally recognized, holes regardless of what
(George) Simpson and his other rivals used at Denver.
The barring of the blocks may word a hardship on Simpson. His
records disclose that he has never been officially credited with
faster than 9 4-5 when running without the use of pedal braces at the
start. His 9 2-5 race in Chicago a couple of weeks ago (June 8,
1929) were made from in front of the regular Nicholson blocks, which
have been in use throughout the east this summer.
WYKOFF'S MARKS LEGAL
Wykoff's marks, it is pointed out, have all been made from the
old-fashioned, common garden variety of holes, and cannot be disputed.
On the same day that Simpson ran his 9 2-5 race at Chicago against a
lightning fast field on a perfect track Wykoff was running two 9 3-5
races on the slow old Bovard field adobe path against mediocre
competition.
For this reason, local track fans have stirred up hopes in their
bosoms that the Glendale Greyhound will gallop to the front again this
year at Denver.
___________
STARTING BLOCKS
FOR
CENTURY MEN DEBATED
___________
"My boy Frank (Wykoff) can prance the century dash in 9 1-5 seconds
were he to use starting blocks!" Not the braggadocio of a
boastful father, but the honest-to-goodness opinion of a gentleman
named Mr. (Clifford) Wykoff, who has supreme confidence in the ability
of his son, Frank, was the above statement given a Press-Telegram
reporter yesterday at Bovard Field after the Glendale Glider had again
cantered through a 9 3-5 hundred without much exertion.
Mr. Wykoff feels certain that his famous son will once again electrify
the track world by defeating George Simpson, Claude Bracey and Eddie
Tolan at Denver on July 4.
BLOCKS ARE BANNED
No foot blocks will be allowed at the A. A. U. classic, so that George
Simpson will run under a psychological handicap. For the first
time this year he must go to his marks without "props." Frank
Wykoff has tried the foot braces and likes them very much.
He has been advised against using them until they are definitely
declared legal or illegal. Those of you who think that blocks do
not give inhuman aid should listen to what Mr. Wykoff says.
"All sprinters are worried over the ever present
possibility that their feet will slip from the improvised holes dug at
the start. It happens time after time, even with the best of 'em.
For this reason they do not always put in their hardest kick on the
first step for fear the cavity will not support the added push.
With blocks the runners are certain of a sure footing every time.
They can put everything into that first spring. It's bound to
tell in the time. My boy Frank can cut at least two-fifths of a
second from his record if he should use these blocks."
When sounded out on the rumored "break" between
Frank and the Los Angeles A. C., as well as the match race with
Percy Williams, Olympic Champion from
Canada, Mr. Wykoff answered frankly:
WYKOFF VS. WILLIAMS
"Many negotiations have been made to bring the
two boys together, but Frank was not told a thing about it until the
club showed him one of many telegrams this morning. It seems
only fair that since Frank has to do the running against Williams that
he should have some say-so in the matter. We're not going to
break with the L. A. A. C., but it's tough to think that an athletic
club nowadays practically 'owns' athletes running under its colors."
WAS VERY SICK
Mr. Wykoff said that Frank should not have competed in the early meets
this year because of his weakened condition from his serious illness.
That's the price to be paid for fame. Fans demand the appearance
of their champion. Only heavyweight boxers can get away with it.
Questioned whether his son had yet reached the pinnacle of his power
as a speedster, Mr. Wykoff stated that Frank must have better days
ahead of him, since he is not yet fully matured. Frank is one
and a half inches taller today than he was a year ago. Being
only 19 years old, he still has his future ahead. While he would
not come out with it in black and white, the elder Mr. Wykoff thinks
Frank will some day run a 9 1-5 or possibly a nine flat century dash!
More articles on DISPUTED FOOT PROPS
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