Four Marks in Jeopardy as Track, Field Stars Vie: NCAA Championships Will Get Under Way at Ann Arbor Today, Daily Racing Form, 1954-06-11

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Four Marks in Jeopardy As Track, Field Stars Vie NCAA Championships Will Get Under Way at Ann Arbor Today By LLOYD NORTHARD United Press Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 10. At least four meet records will be in jeopardy Friday and Saturday when 375 collegiate track and field stars battle in the 33rd annual NCAA championships at. the University of Michigan. Much attention will be focused on Ernie Sheldon, tht University of Southern California high jumper, who is regarded the leading candidate for the never-before-attained seven-foot leap. Sheldon turned in a jump of six feet, 10 inches a week ago which was three-eighths of an inch below the NCAA record established in 1941 by Les Steers of Oregon. Two of last "years three co-champion high jumpers will be back, Mark Booth of Wayne and Milt Mead of Michigan, but neither is expected to offer more than a token challenge to the nimble Californian who seems to improve with every performance. Gene Matthews of Purdue established himself as the favorite for the two-mile crown by negitiating the distance in 8:58.8 a week ago to winthe central collegiate. third fastest two -mile in history and 3.1 seconds faster than the NCAA mark set by Michigans Don McEweh in 1950. Arnie Sowell, Pittsburghs IC4A champion, is expected, to challenge the half-mile mark of 1:50.3 held jointly by John Woodruff, also of Pittsburgh, and Mai Whitfield of Ohio State. Sowell, who aspired to be a swimmer before turning to track, equalled that time in the 880 earlier this year. The other NCAA record which will be in danger is the 228 feet, eight and three-eighths inch javelin, toss by George Roseme of California two years ago. Stanfords Leo Long has hurled the spear 235 feet, nine and three-quarters inches and would have to have an off day to miss Rosemes mark. Records in the other 10 events appear safe since no one has challenged them in competition this season. Other events include the 100-, 220- and 440-yard dashes, the mile run, 120-yard high and 220-yard low hurdles, broad jump, pole vault, shot put and discus throw. Defending champions are on hand in six of the events. Aside from Booth and Mead in the high jump, they are Willie Williams of Illinois in the 100-yard dash; Jim Lea of Southern California in the 440 -yard dash; Rich Ferguson of Iowa in the two-mile; John Bennett of Marquette in the broad jump and Fred Barnes of Fresno State in the pole vault. Southern California is a strong favorite to win the team title for the sixth straight year and the 18th time in the history of the championships. The Trojans rolled up 80 points in winning last year while runner-up Illinois managed only 41 points. Preliminaries Friday night will cut the large field down for Saturdays iinals ,


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800