Evening star., 1955-03-19
GI' Record Run
StartIes Fans
Al Mexico Civ
Lou Jones EcIipses
Mark in 400 Meters;
Track Finals Today
BY the Assoeioisd Press

MEXICO CITY. Mar. 19.-The
brilliant track and field program
of the Pan American Games
comes to a close today with a
second world record listed on
the books and still more dra-
matte moments in prospect.
Little known Lou Jones, 90
year-old private in the United
States Army, startled the ex-
perts when he raced the 400 me- ,
tiers in a phenomenal 45.4 Sec
ondS.
The time eclipsed the world
record Of 45.8 set by George
Rhoden of Jamaica in Sweden
August %, 1850.
It also overshadowed the world
record hop, skip and Jump mark
of 81 feet set the day before
by Brazil's Adhemar Ferreira da
Silva, the sensational 800-meter
time of 1:49.7 by Arnold Sowell
and the 26-foot plus broad Jump
| ing by Rosslyn Range and John
Bennett. all of the United States
| Army.
Lea Also Breaks Record.
Barreling along with Jones was
Jim Lea, his teammate, whose
ass also broke Rhoden's world
standard.
Lea was prompted to say,
"Guess I'll have to go back to
California and train for a 44-fiat
race"
Jones. from Fort Dix, N. j.;
collapsed at the finish, but
he said he merely had lost
his balance and fallen.
Describing the race, Jones said
the terrific pace set by Lea on
the outside lane probably was
the main factor in the record
performance.
81 knew it was awfully fast the
first 200 but Jim was out there
and I didn't dare let him get
away. Around the curve pulled
up and when we Strengthened
out into the stretch knew I was
a little ahead. Still. I felt good
and knowing the finishing kick
that guy has I heightened out
sooner than I usually do.
Lost Balance at Finish
eve were both going awfully
fast down to the finish but in
! the last Is yards I felt Jim, on
my right, slightly behind. I
gave it all at the tape, sort of
a lunge. That's when I lost my
balance and fell"
Asked If he was all out, the
6-foot. 167-pound runner said, q
"Sure, I gave it all I had. But =
not to the extent Of collapsing.
It was just because / wanted to
win so badly that I dove for the
| finish"
| AS for Jesse Mashburn, who
completed the United States
sweep with a fine 0:469 clock
ing, the Oklahoma star simply
commented:
"They were just going too fast
for me. I'm not nearly in that
kind of shape. In fact, I never
have BEEN"
The only other title Jones has
won are the outdoor IC4-A 440
and indoor IC4-A indoor 600. In
seven races during the last in
door season Jones didn't win a
single one. He finished second
five times at 500 and 600 yards.
The United States long since
established as the games cham
pion over the 1851 winner, Ar
gentina, had an unofficial points
score for all games of AS today.
Argentina was next with 133l2
and Mexico third with 107h.
The games end a week from to-
day.
Santee in Finals Today
Highlight of today's action in
the university stadium was the
| 1,500-meter duel featuring the
not-so-friendly rivals, Wes Santee
and Fred Dwyer, plus handsome
Bob McMillen, who may not
have anything personal on his
mind, but who would like to beat
both Yves and little Fred.
Competition was close as the
| final five events of the decath-
lon came up for decision. Hefty
Rafer johnson of UCLA went
| into this phase with a surpris-
ing lead over his teammate, the
Rev. Rob Richards.
| johnson scored 4,213 points
and Richards 3,999 in the first
| five events.
The girls got into the spot
light when Karen Anderson Of
| the United States threw the jave-
| Rp 40 16 v,aafarc or 161 feet 4