Pat On The Back

Herewith a salute from the editors to men and women of all ages who have fairly earned the good opinion of the world of sport, regardless of whether they have yet earned its tallest headlines

IDA LANG of Hollywood, Calif. took up diving 37 years ago to strengthen her legs during a four-year bout with polio. Today at 60, she is teaching youngsters and still giving exhibitions from the 10- and 20-foot boards in polio benefit shows. Tutored for the 1924 Olympics by Matt Mann, University of Michigan swimming coach, she still outperforms divers a third her age.

EARL BUCHHOLZ JR. of St. Louis has been playing tennis since he was three. Now fifth ranked in boys' tennis at 13, he whipped 64 entrants to win the Junior Chamber of Commerce tennis tournament, his first national championship. Encouraged by his victory, Earl will make tennis a career.

VERN GRIMSLEY, 13-year-old Garden City, Kans. high-school freshman, learned trapshooting two years ago from his grandfather, Mose Neill, a crack shot. This year Vern broke 97 of 100 targets to beat 172 others (including his grandfather) and become the youngest ever to win the Missouri-Kansas title.

MIKE HEGAN, four-year veteran of the East Lynn (Mass.) Little League at 11, hopes to follow his father, Cleveland Catcher Jim Hegan, into the big leagues. Coached by such stars as Al Rosen and Lou Brissie, Mike led his team to the local title, hit .577 and pitched six victories in seven games.

BILL McINTYRE III, strapping 15-year-old son of a St. Petersburg, Fla. letter carrier, began fishing in a goldfish bowl at three. Last year he entered the tarpon tournament in his home town and caught a 135-pounder to finish second. This year he won with a 169-pound giant, largest tournament catch in 14 years, will bank his $1,000 prize toward a college education.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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GEORGE WISLER

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HARO D A. BENJAMIN

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GEORGE WOODRUFF

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JOHN M. MCGONIGAL