Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-20
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That Mans Here Aqoin

Evening
Star built their vaultng pit and counted them
fortunate receipt entry blank from Bob Rich
ards promising young man the end OF pole But they
couldn't how lucky the happenstance 1t love at
first sight Richards pastor of the Church of the Breth
in Long Beach, Calf hasn't missed Star meet yet and
won't tomorrow.
There time when the pole vaulters considered
among the animal acts" at track festivals They weren't
precisely hidden empty lots like hammer throwers
the murders and fiat runners got unchalenged top billing
No longer. Not in The Star Games, anyway.
The pole vault quickly became and stands. of
the premier attractions That it usually has resolved into
duel between Richards and his arch-rval and friend Don
Lag has made difference the patrons They know they
e watching the best in the world the pair of Americans
who vaulted one-two in the OlympicS
More than once Richards Laz both have taken dead
aim the world record in the National Guard Arory and
you'd have the chances good they'll be doing
again in The Stars ninth annual Games.
THREE TIMES IN THE past Richards and/or Lag has
beterd Is feet here each time shooting for that American
indoor mark of Is feet 8 inches set by Cornelius Warmer
dam in 1943. Laz former Illinois STAR vaued 1873 in 1852
to win and took swpe at Warmedam record in subsequent
attempts In SO Richards scared 1872 and also took shot at
the record Last year Richards established The Star record
1874, and made another bid
Some of these nights" Richards always maintained
"Don or will hit perfectly and match beat that record
Funny how 1t goes, he said One night you can't do
anything right have hard time getting IA feet The
next night feel good and think you're going to hit 16
feet"
the wordRichards Lag and Don Cooper The latter has
retired but there still three because TALL husky young
from Vanova Don Bragg has cleared the bar that
high Unfortunately Bragg and his Vanova teammates
taking examinations and can't play at running and jumping
tomorrow.
TT GENERALLY IS CONCEDED that Warmerdan was the
atne greatest vauer holding the world outdoor Of
IS feet 73 well the American indoor mark STILL it is
not certain the peerless Cornelius scared Is feet
higher times than Richards who isn't himself how
many times he has accomplished the feat It's somewhere
about 90 70 occasions with always inches to to become
Mr.. No. L.
From the beginning Richards has insisted The Star
Games in the National Guard Armory make up favore
combination invariably vault here" says it
weren't just little early in the think could better
my best record adds the minister whose IA foot 11 Inch
effort won the 1852 Olympcs
Only twice eight previous meets Richards failed
win tie at the Armory Back in 40 he little his
head and Richard Boo Morcum long since retired at
IA feet But Richards tied in so at
height and deadlocked again the following year
Lag in 81 Richards in SO and to injured ankle
by Richards and onight by Lag in 81 Jerry webourn
of Ohio State was an upset victor.
WELBoURN cleared only" IA feet inches that winter
Richards watching from the sidelnes but the old pair
RichardsLaz back in top form year This when
the reverend skied 1874 leaving Laz Webourn and Earl
Poucher of Florida U. tied for second at 1916.
If there suggestion cubbishness among gradeA
vauters when 1t to dividing honor 1t understand
able There aren't too athletes with the speed stamina
derrng and patience to qualify for the vault In sense
too they like the bandsmen who play the ubas the
big drums They have to lug the country than
pair of spiked shoes and pair of shorts
Best friend Of vaulter is his favorte pole, 16-foot
6inch piece Of tubular metal 1t is at least important
him Ted Williams model bat is to the Red Sox sugger
Keeping the best friend by his sde however oftmes
difficulties
Garry a pole to airport sometime" Richards was
saying once land how much of argument you're given
before they put it aboard Or try hang you
to an armory for performance"
There night in Cleveland Richards wound
up outside his hotel with his pole transportation
taxcabs wouldn't go him. Resignedly Richards
shouldered his stick and set of for the foot
At the end Of miles he there. All mbered up and
raaEiy to 60, 1t might be added. d