TENDONS IN TENSION
With such superlative performers as Shotputter Parry O'Brien (opposite page) showing the way, record or near-record performances were achieved in most events at the outdoor AAU track and field championships in Boulder, Colo, last week. U.S. athletes never looked better (see next four pages) as they spent two calm, windless days breaking five National AAU records (hammer throw, 56-pound weight throw, half mile, javelin and 220-yard dash) and tying or bettering four of last year's best marks (broad jump, high jump, 100-yard dash and high hurdles). Meanwhile, at Ponca City, Okla., U.S. women were putting on similarly impressive track and field displays. For on-the-scene reports by Paul O'Neil from Boulder and Mary Snow from Ponca City, see page 17.
Struggling upward, High-Jumper Vern Wilson of Santa Clara Youth Center narrowly misses 6 feet 9 inches on his second attempt. Wilson finished third behind Ernie Shelton, world record holder, and young Compton, Calif, high school student Charley Dumas
Straining outward, New York Athletic Club weightmen Bob Backus (left) and Steve Dillon stretch their big muscles in 56-pound weight throw. Backus won the event with an AAU record heave of 43 feet 5 inches, breaking his old mark. Teammate Dillon was second
Packed field of 16 milers makes abortive first start (above). In the jam two runners fell and race was restarted after 5-minute rest
Low hurdlers clear final barrier in unison (above)—Arnie Sowell leads strung-out pack en route to victory in record half mile
SEVEN PHOTOS
RICHARD MEEK