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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1975)
Ftiotos by Beth Van Deusen and Warren Morgan “I don’t know where I am” Flopping Delamere just a normal guy until... By GREG CLARK Of the Emerald It made sense, in a zany sort of way. Considering the context, John Delamere’s long jump style was hardly shocking to Hayward Field pro-track fans Sunday. Novel at best. Delamere, who spans the better portion of the long-jump pits upside down, is hardly a unique attrac tion in the wild world of professional track — where giant shavers serve as pole-vault standards, runners are plastered with Post, Personna and 3M insignias and warm-up suits look like a house painter’s drop cloth. Even the events have been given new callings — the Personnavault, Post cereal's mile and the Pro Keds two-mile. Delamere competes in the 3M long jump. He finished third in Eugene with a somersault of 24-4V2, more than a foot less than winner Henry Hines. His best mark ever with the style is 25-91/2 (outdoors), a yard shy of Bob Beamon's world record mark of 29-21/2. which isn t exactly overly impressive. Nevertheless, Delamere has his sights set on the 27-foot mark for next year. If he gets it, he’ll be sure to turn a few heads in the direction of the long jump pit. He feels once he hits the 27-foot distance the “flip” method will attract recruits. Ex-Oregon State high jumper Dick Fosbury did it with his “flop” before the 1968 Olympics, and Delamere is banking on a rerun in the long-jump pit. The native New Zealander picked up the the style while at Washington State last year after read ing about its advantages in maintaining speed and a lower center of gravity. The unveiling came during the Pac-8 meet last year, where he tied Southern California's Randy Wil liams, the 1972 Olympic champion. After the debut, Delamere laid off nearly a year until last January and the start of the pro tour. The absence hurt. “My timing’s really bad right now,” he said after scratching his final two jumps Sunday. “I’ve been very weak getting off the board this year.” And landing is still another problem — possibly the greatest. ‘The main thing is I just don’t know where I am,” he said. “If I could land right, I could improve a lot, but I have been landing poorly. Out there, I wasn’t com ing around enough and was falling backwards.” While somersaulting over a bed of sand seems to be a feat reserved for “The Daring Wing Dings” in the nearest carnival, Delamere has had no experi ence in tumbling or gymnastics. “I really wish I had some (gymnastic training) — it would have really helped, I think,” Delamere exp lained. “This summer I am going to practice my tech nique and talk to some people who know about gym nastics.” Delamere has hopes that the International Amateur Athletic Federation will change its mind about his jumping style-it is now outlawed for amateur competition. The ban was the primary reason for his turning pro this year. But it’s obvious he still has a deep love for amateur competition — due perhaps from his up bringing in New Zealand where healthy competition — rather than money or prize — is the thrust behind sports. “Amateur competition is different,” he recalled. “Just like in the Commonwealth Games last year—walking through the gates at the beginning of the ceremonies was like nothing else. It’s really a thrill to compete in front of your own country.” The Games were held in Christchurch. Now that he has turned professional, he must squeeze practice and competition around his full time coaching duties at West Point Army Academy. And a family. Fitting in both during the track season is not an easy order. 'The tour is really tough on you,” he admitted. “You have to leave for the meets really late — at the last minute. I usually train with the cadets while I’m coaching, although it’s hard because you are con stantly interrupted.” Interaction with other tour members is limited — “they all live in Los Angeles, I live in New York, so I don’t see them except during the meets.” While the long jumpers occasionally help each other with remarks on style, none is ready to convert to the Delamere flip. “They wouldn’t do it,” he said with a slight smile. “I don’t know, I guess they are afraid they’ll break their necks.” That thought apparently hasn’t entered Delamere’s mind... McNally, Reynolds, Smith AII-Pac-8 Oregon outfielder Don Reynolds, first baseman Pat Mc Nally, and shortstop Ray Smith were selected to the Northern Di vision All-Star Team, it was an nounced last Thursday. Reynolds, who holds five career records and was the Ducks' sec ond leading hitter with a .321 av erage, made the team for third straight year. Reynolds was joined in the outfield by Ramon Gonzalez of Oregon State, and Washington State’s Wes Graham and Doug Simon. McNally led the team in hitting and finished fourth in the Pacific-8 batting race with a .372 average. Smith, a junior, led the team in home runs with 10 and 38 runs batted in. Other members of the team were: catcher-Pete Rowe, Oregon State; pitchers-Tracy Har ris, Washington State and Gale Meier, Oregon State; second base-Roger Dirkes, Washington State; third base-Terry Agnew, Washington; designated hitter Phil Westendorf, Washington State; utility-Tom Simas, Oregon State. IM Notices All softball managers of league winning or league tie teams are to meet in room 105 PE at 3:30 today. In addition, the intramural i swimming and diving champion- J ships will be held Thursday at ; Leighton Pool beginning at 8 p.m. ! All-campus baseball is played i at Howe Field every day at 5 p.m. : ] : 11 :: «• *■ I I ► ► AFRICAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION POINT OF ORDER!! This is to remind all African Students that it is time for the election of new officials to run the Association for the 1975/76 academic year. At present, kll offices held have been declared null and void. However, a Committee has been appointed to conduct the election. The Committee members are: 1. LAM IN SEISAY h »• 2. UYOATA EKANDEM £ 3. SIMON EMUDIA £ 4 OBI AFULEZI ^ 5. ABDI SHERIFF £ 6. LENNY MURAYA 686-6455 343-9661 343-5807 342-6889 686-6646 CHAIRMAN MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER * X X XI XI XI XI XI XI n XI XI MEMBER MEMBER * f * *• + f The Committee would like to announce a meeting scheduled for jj Saturday, May 24th at 2:00 p.m. Room to be posted in the E.M.U. * It would be great if all of us show up so that we could straighten X out and put things in proper perspective. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!! j Thanks * 1 5NUW . 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