Ryun’s comeback road
reaches fork to Munich
Jim Ryun is back for one more try at the Olym
pics.
The world record-holder at 880 yard, one mile and
1,500 meters will begin his Olympic try today in the
first race of the Trials—the first heat of the 800
meter run.
Rvun's comback road after running second to Kip
Keino in the 1968 Olympics has been long and
problematic.
A year ago he came to Eugene to stage his
comeback, but became the victim of hay fever
aggravated by the high pollen in the valley during
the early summer month. His training was moved to
Southern California, but eventually again moved
back to Kansas for training under his former
collegiate coach, Bob Timmons.
Rvun’s comeback was up and down and hit a peak
in the Vons Classic, winning the mile in 3:57.1—the
second fastest mile in the nation this year (Steve
Prefontaine’s 3:56.7 is the fastest). Now Ryun will
double in the Trials in Eugene with hopes of
doubling in the Olympics in Munich.
“I’m serious about both events,” he said Wed
nesday when asked if he is running both for in
surance to qualify. Ryun left no doubt that he plans
to compete in both events in Germany should he
qualify for both here.
Naturally a big thought on everyone’s mind, in
cluding his own, is the hay fever. “I’ve been here
since Tuesday and it hasn’t bothered me at all. I’ve
felt no effects from it.”
As of Wednesday.
The 800 meters last through Saturday. The 1,500
doesn’t begin until July 6.
Ryun is taking no chances, though, as his allergy
doctor is “vacationing” in Eugene to see the
Trials—and to offer assistance to Ryun if needed.
Also an air purifier has been installed in his hotel
room. Both should help.
Barring pollen attacks from the local grain fields,
Ryun will still have his hands full with mortals like
Dave Wottle, Bowling Green’s 1,500 NCAA titlist.
and Tom Von Ruden both doubling along with
Ryun in the two races.
And Ryun still has to face the regular 800 meter
cast that includes Juris Luzins (1:46.9); Mark
Winzenreid (1:47.1), and Ken Swensen (1:47.4).
Ryun n ay have easier going in the 1500 meters
where he owns the second fastest time in the field
with his 3:57.1 Vons mile. Only marine Howell
Michael (3:38.3 for 1500 meters) has a faster time.
The last time Ryun ran in Eugene he ran 10th in
the Twilight meet in a field of 11. But he hopes his
precautions have killed any chance of repeating the
crippling allergy attack that stopped him a year
ago. And Ryun likes the fast Stevenson track.
Getting him to pinpoint a time he’s shooting for is
all but impossible. “I really can’t say. Sometimes
everyone will lag and sprint at the end and other
times they’ll keep a good pace all the way.”
But with the competition he is facing in the 800
meters, fast times may be guaranteed.
And with many people trying to blame Ryun’s ups
and downs along the comback trail on his mental
attitude, that fast time at the beginning of the ten
day long Trials may be just what he needs. A
respectable showing in the 800 meters should put his
mental attitude—and Olympic hopes—in great
shape for the 1500 meters.
But Stevenson is quite alive
Hayward Field is getting tired
Hayward Field is tired . . . but
you'd be tired too if you had been
holding up thousands of stom
ping. screaming fans for over 50
years. Enough, however, is
enough! The grandstands are
tired . . ."
That plaintive cry comes from
a circular making the round in
Eugene—an appeal to local fans
to help finance a new seating
structure for Hayward Field—the
staid old bam that’s site of this
year’s U.S. Olympic Trials.
But although the ancient
wooden seats might be on their
last legs (and those foot-long
slivers might be inching up your
leg), the University of Oregon’s
track and field facility is first
class Especially the track.
The urethane surface that rings
Stevenson track (and makes up
the long jump and javelin run
way i is the fastest surface in the
world. Ask John Smith or Rod
Milburn how they like Hayward’s
urethane
I love it here,” Smith has said.
And he s got good reason—he set
a world record of 44.S (440) in the
AAU championships last year
and this year blazed to an
identical time in the 400 meters to
win the NCAA title.
As for Milburn—nobody knew
his name until he got his spikes
planted on Oregon’s lightning
surface. He clicked off a world
record 13.0 in the high hurdles
and has been crushing everybody
else in the event since.
On the first day of this year’s
NCAA Championships,
everything came to a standstill
after the second heat in the 100
meters.
Don Quarrie of USC and Ivory
Crockett of Southern Illinois
flashed across the finish line in a
near dead-heat—and the data
timer on the field showed 9.6!
The fastest 100 meters run on
earth? Not quite. Urethane isn’t
that fast—the guy who starts the
data timer had his vision ob
structed just at the start of the
race and the time was “ad
justed” to 9.9. Still good enough to
equal the world record.
Stevenson track has been the
nome roost for America’s finest
distance runner—Oregon’s Steve
Prefontaine.
FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS i
Elvira Madigan j
(Bo Wider berg, 1967! j
r „ \
f ' as painfully immediate as
stab in the heart, yet asi
beautiful and controlled as ai
Mozart concerto." —Arthur i
Knight, ^
Saturday Review j
I
TONIGHT
June 29, 7: 00 & 9:00
150 Science - $1.00
i
4
He set the American 5,000
meter mark here (13:29.6).
It's the place where the
American record in the
steeplechase was set—8:26.4 by
Sid Sink. In fact, four out of the
top five U.S. clockings in the
steeplechase were set at
Hayward Field.
So bear with the rickety old
grandstands—the big wooden
beam that's smack dab in your
line of vision.
But don’t make any sudden
moves (if everybody stood up too
quickly to applaud it could be
trouble—those boards are old);
just remember—tracks don’t
come any faster than Stevenson’s
urethane.
Ben’s Po^r House
' -SUSP
(Formerly Taylor's)
Pick Up A Portable Picnic
LUNCHES TO GO!
Happy Hour: Thurs 9 - 11 pm
Wine
Oly on tap
Good Food -
894 E. 13th
Pool
Across from Co Op
.
Be Informed
This Olympic Year
1972 Olympic Guide -
Guiness Book of
Olympic Records -
Modern Track & Field -
$1.25
$1.25
$9.65
Guide to Distance Running - $4.95
Shop Penneys
at Valley River
for ALL your
family needs.
We’ve got values for everyone! From fashions to field
glasses, auto supplies and services to accessories, camp
stoves to cameras, linens to lawn furniture, toys to toiletries,
books to beauty aids, records to reels . , . and more! Enjoy
our beauty salon and cafeteria, too!
JCPenney
The values are here every day.
VALLEY RIVER. EUGENE
Open Sundays 12 to 5 p.m , Monday thro Friday 10 a m. to * p.m., Saturday till 4
The Eugene Hotel
PRESENTS 6 NIGHTS OF
NOSTALGIA
Then and Now
featuring
MUSIC WITH THE "BIG BAND SOUND"
As Played By The Band Of
RONNIE KEMPER
starts at 8:30
SPECIAL
DINNER DANCE & SHOW
Pri. June 30 Sat. July 1 - Sun. July 2
Fri. July 7 - Sat. July 8 - Sun. July 9
2 Floor Shows - 10 p.m. & Midnight
We suggest reservations
Call 344-1461