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About Herald and news. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1942-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 1955)
Sunday. deckmbkr, 25, 1955 RcLAXING with his foster brother Aaron Lugo, Klam. ath'i All-American John Witte looks through a high school year book remembering his prep days at KUHS. The Oregon State football star is home for the holidays. HummkIi All - John Witte Spending Holidays With Family By CLAYTON HANNON How does it foci to be an All American? "Wonderful, unbelievable," says John Witte, Klamath Falls' con tribution to the world of football standouts. Witte, Oregon State College's 210-pound All-Amencan tackle, 1: home for the Christmas vacation and to reminisce the past football season with his family and friends. And what a bag load of events the 1951 Klamath Union Hi?h School graduate has to look back upon. The first team All-American se lection of Witte by the Internation al News Service last month cli maxed a life-long dream, "I just couldn't believe It." said Witte while relaxing at the home of his parents Mr, ana Mrs. jonn wiiie on the Lakeview Wiqhway. ".When they (the ,INS) telephoned me the day alter Thanksgiving, it was something out of this world. It lias been something I have always thought of, but never planned on reciving." The modest Oregon State junior first started on the road to foot ball fame in the seventh grade at Altamont Junior High School in 1945 under the coachine of A. C. Olson, who was also principal at that time. Olson is presently the principal at T w y 1 a Ferguson school. In 1945 and 1946, John was tabbed as a future high school star while wearing the Altamont colors, and the talk was correct. Tn his first year at KUHS, Witte played under the coaching o Charles McLinn and Paul McCall where he again was touted for a bright football future. His sopho more year. John earned the first of three varsity football letters at Klamath Union under head coach Bob Hcndershott and his assistants Len Surles and Dwight French. CLASSIC Witte's high school gridiron ca reer closed in 1951 at Portland when John and teammate Bill Toole starred for the "Upstaters" In the Shrine football classic. Witte was selected the game's outstand ing lineman and Toole the top back. Again local boosters pre dicted John would garner still more honors in college, but few realized just how correct they were at that time. After three years at OSC. and (wo in the service on Uncle Sam's team, Witte has climbed to the top of the college football ranks as an All-American. the very first such award ever to be bestowed upon a Klamath Basin athlete. In 1951 and 1952. Witte lettered for the Orenee under Kip Taylor, then he volunteered to serve his military hitch. While at Fort Ord and Fort Richardson (Alaska. John found time to continue his first love, football. At Fort Richardson. John was a member of the team that finished the season with an 8-1 record. A teammate of witte's was Dave Mann. ex-OSC star, and now with the Chicago Cardinals. ' 6i , the ea?on to be jolly... ind happy are --r jjjwe to wih t orie Mtrit (rttm ' lfi (V aJJ . v " : . few, sn-rf A..0 There were doubts in John's mind when he returned to Oregon State this past year if he would be able to "cut the mustard." Needless to say, the doubts were unfounded. Not only did Witte prove to himself he could still walk with the best, but he con vinced football fans all over the nation he was the same old "Bat tling Beaver" that carried the OSC standards before his service stretch. Tnis past year, John has been honored by many sources other than a INS first team All-American title. The Associated Press tabbed John for a third team A-A vote, which in itself is a good sized recognition. The AP, INS and United Press all tabbed John for All-Coast recognition. Jet, the only weekly Negro magazine in the country, placed the Oregon State tackle on their- first team All- America along with such stars as "Hopalong" Cassady and Bob Pel lagrin!. The OSC team members and coaching staff awarded John the Outstanding Lineman trophy, and the ex-KU athlete was named to seven of the eight Pacific Coast Conference All-Opponent teams UCLA, California, Oregon. Wash ington. WSC, Idaho and Stanford the only one Witte missed was USC's. and the reason was prob ably that the Trojans arid Beav ers didn't meet on the gridiron. DRAFTED John, a recreation education ma jor, was drafted last January by the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL. and he indicated he will try his hand at pro football after graduation. With size and speed, Witte would make the Rams a good man to have around. UCLA is the top team that Ore gon Slate met this year, accord ing to Witte. while Stanford's Bill Tarr is the leading backfield man. Fred Robinson of Washing ton "is the' best lineman in John's book. Gil Moreno of UCLA and Oregon's hardluck halfback, Dick James, also rank high in the mind of the Klamath Falls grid- der. Wrestling Is now the center of attraction for the football A-A, as he also seeks to work his way to the top of uie AAu grappling pic ture. As a freshman matman. 'Big John" finished second in the Intercollegiate wrestling program. In high school John won three state championships for Dutch Si mons at Klamath Union. There is a possibility that Witte may earn a spct on the United Slates Olympic grappling team for next year's Olympics but would have to lay out football if he did. Ii this would be so. what would John do? We asked him this ques tion which stopped the big tackle longer than any opposing football er has this past year. According to John he hadn't given the Idea much thought. "We'll have to wait and see what the future brings." was Witte's reply after long de liberation. ',l-0 " " WASHING dishes took up some of the vacation rime of Witte, as here he makes up for lost time by discussing past events with his mother, Mrs. John E. Witte. Joining in the conversation is Roberta Lugo, center, one of John's foster sisters. American Home Far By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FRIDAY GAMES Paris Island (S.C.) Christmas tourney: Elon 100. Pfelffer (N.C.) 77 (cham pionship) Parris island Marines 78. George town (Ky.) 75 (for 3rd) East Carolina 83, High Point 53 (for 5th) Erskine 77. Pietmont 69 (for 7th) OTHER GAMES San Francisco 61, Loyola (La.l 43 Spring Hill (Ala.) 63, Washington State 60 MIDWEST Iowa State 87, Vanderbilt 76 Illinois 82. Oklahoma 58 Michigan State 72. Wyoming 02 Oklahoma AfaM 70, Baylor 51 Washington (St. Louis) 55, Cornell 50 SOUTHWEST Oklahoma City 64, Texas Christian FAR WEST Montana 60, Whitworth 48 EAST St. Francis (Brooklyn) 87, Queens (N.Y.) 63 Oregon Prep Basketball Boise (Idaho I 48. Baker 40 Mllwaukie 68. Oregon City 30 McMinnville 45. Albany 43 Tillamook 53. Toledo 38 Siletz 43. Tillamook Catholic 25 North Salem 73. Hudsons Bay (Vancouver. Wash.i 32 Dallas 66, Forest Grove 43 Monmouth-Independence 45, Slay ton 40 Maupin 49, Arlington 41 Seaside 61, Rainier 53 Clatskanie 68, Nehalcm 60 Pacific University Tournament Gaston 38, Cascade Locks 24 West Linn 42, Newberg 27 Mllton-Freewater 46, St. Helens 38 (championship) Banks 50. Warrenton 32 Knappa 45, Sherwood 44 SATURDAY GAME California 78, Dartmouth 59 MSC Students Plan Mass Move EAST LANSING, Mich. IP) When- some 2,700 Michigan State University students take off Mon day for the Rose Bowl festivities in California, It will be the largest peace-time, non-military point-to-point mass movement by train in History. So say representatives of 11 ma jor railroads who pooled equipment to provide modern, light-weight cars for the six student special trains. Another 1.800 students will travel by plane and auto to Pasadena to watch the Spartan football team ' play UCLA on Jan. 2. i tTl't kh spirit of (hit ioyoui itison ttmiin with you tlwtyi... A VEM H CfflUSlflS HERALD AND NEWS. Gcd Golfers Selected Top NW Sports Story By JACK HKWINS Associated Press Sports Writer SEATTLE M The Pacific Northwest's golfing gals rate No. I on the Sports Story Parade for 1955. The sweep of Princess Pat Les ser In the major amateur tourn eys alone would deserve lop rank ing, but the region's feminine dl voiecrs made a team bid for the nation's golf crowns and as a team they deserve recognition. There were many other headline events in many other sports, and a few momentous, unforgettable thrills. Remember the flip of Uie Slo- Mo-Shun V? Were you on hand when Washing ton touched a match to that 80-yard touchdown fuse that blew up the myth of Southern California foot ball power? Were you holding your breath at Corvallis last spring as Oregon Stnte barely failed in the final sec onds to catch the University of San Francisco, eventual nntional col legiate basketball champoins? Numerous sports events, both scheduled and unexpected, turned the national spotlight on the Pa cific Northwest. Not always were its reflections pleasant. The "re bellion' tor choose your own word) of football players at the Uni versity of Washington made big news but mnde nobody happy. AKRIAIj loop The Gold Cup race again packed the shores of Lake Washington with a quarter-million people and pro vided a double climax. One was the aerial loop of the Slo-Mo-V as Lou Fageol jammed down the throttle in a qualifying run. The screaming monster left the water and turned completely over in the air. The second -was the winning of the cup by the Gale V of Detroit, which failed to win a heat but took the trophy on the basis of the best total time. Most of the crowd went home believing Miss Thriftway, by winning two of the three heals, had won the race. And the whole country chuckled sympathetically when a hardy fan bought the only ticket sold at the gate for the Washington State-San Jose State "ice bowl" football game. But none of the news rates above the stories on the golfing gals. These personality kids picked off four national titles, half of them going to Princess Pat. Seattle's The largest craft to be displayed at the New York motor boat show Jan. 13-22 will be a 61-foot luxury promenade deck motor record. Kbf'' '(j KLAMATH FALLS. OREGON FOOTBALL and Christmas tree decorating war the topic of conversation as John and his father, John E. Witte, right, put the finishing touches on the family tree at their home on the Lakeview Highway. In the background is a team picture of the 1952 OSC grid club. sweet swinger won the Women's Western Amateur and followed up with the women's National Ama teur championship. REGARDED Earlier In the year Miss Lesser had retained the South Atlantic crown and won the Helen Lee Doherty tourney, often, regarded as the feminine equivalent of the Master's. Carole Jo Kabler of Roseburg, Ore., won the National Junior Girls golf title, defeating another mem ber of the Northwest "team" in the finals Joanne Gunderson of Se attle. Joanne took the Western Jun ior crown and her opponent in the finals was Anne Quasi of Marys ville. ' The fourth member of the team Ruthle Jessen of Seattle won the Pacific Northwest Auiatcur and Miss Quast won the Washington Slate Women's and Junior Girls championships. Ano! her Seattle youngster Jumped literally Into nation al prominence when Ragnar Ul land made the United States Olym pic slci jumping team. Three na tional ski meets were held In the Northwest mountains: the national Jumps at Leavenworth, the giant slalom at Stevens Pass and the cross country at. Willamette Pass. The best of the rest, listed by sports: RIINNERS-UP Baseball: Northwest Lengue suc ceeds defunct Western Internation al, mostly under home town owner ship. Seattle Ralnlers win Coast League pennant, then lose Mgr. Freddie Hutchinson to St, Louis Cards. Softball Pitcher Bobby Pes ler hit hard In hardball debut with Ralnlers. Cheney Studs runners up in nalional amateur baseball. Portland Beavers announce plans to move into Multnomah Stadium. Boxing: Pat McMurtry of Ta roma recognized as one of na tion's most promising heavy weights but shelved by broken hand. Bobby Woods fights two champions within three weeks at Spokane, dropping decisions to Sandy Saddler (in December, 19541 and Jimmy Carter. Speedboats: Ted Jones, "for gotten man" of boat racing, recog nized as genius of design when Miss Thriftway wins two Gold Cup heats. Every boat in the race patterned on Jones' Slo-Mo-Shun design. Basketball: Elgin Baylor. North west's leading scorer with College of Idaho, transfer to Seatlle Uni versity. Swede Halbrook qulls Ore gon State. Phil Jordan leaves Whitworth but team wins Ever green Conference title. Christm&s Vmmimn mm MOOSE PA'S LEAGl'I MerriU Moose O'Hair'a Chapel Johnny ' Tavern ' Klamath PrtnUn Lucky Latin f. at w. w. wara 18 42 Lait nleht'i reiulti: O'Hair'a 1 Klamath Printing 3 Lurky Lanea 4 C. P. W. W. Ward 0 Hifh team same Johnny'i Tavern 821 High team aerlec Merrill Moom 27U8 High Individual game Charley Bright man 206 High Individual leriet CharKy Bright man 013 JUNIOR GIRLS LEAGI'E Fumbling Five 10 a Smudge Poia JO 6 C clone Chnmps B 7 Bowling Tornadoei 8 8 Alley Cat , 7 9 Miuee piom Mara 4 12 Smudge Pot 2 Mitaei from Mart AMni' I'ata Ii f!ve1nilf ChAtlllJ 2 Fumbling Five 1 Bowling Tornadoei 1 High team game rumbling Five 7;i(l liiiili lenm series Fumbling Five 1410 High individual game Sandra Dx(er 141 High Individual series Sandra Dex ter 2J7 JUNIOR BOVS LEAGI'E W I Gutter Boys 1 5 Mtislanga 18 8 Hot Shnlt 9 IS Short Sports 4 20 Last night'a results: Gulter Ho vi 3 Short Sports 0 Hut Shots 3 Mustangs 0 High team gameGutter Boys 84fl High twain series Gutter Boys 1620 High individual gome Keith Baxter series Keith Baxter HIGH SCHOOL LKAGl'F W L Strikers 8 1 Big Tiv 8 3 Heavers S 4 Sixth Street Wreckers A 4 Pin Cats 3 6 llnwkeves 3 3 W.ld Lata O 6 f; rubbles 0 ' 3 Pin Busters 3 0 Last night's results: Pin Busters 3 Ptn Cats 0 Sixth Street 2 Beavers 1 Big Five 1 Strikers 2 High team game Strikers B2t Utah team series Strikers 1773 Uiffh individual game Gordon Sellers lull Hlah individual series Gordon Sellers 306 ' Commission Named FRANKFURT. Ky. (UP) Gov. A. B. (Happy) Chandler has ap pointed a new five-man Kentucky State Racing Commission, includ ing Leslie Combs II of Lexington, Ky.. who headed the syndicate trial purchased Nashua last week. The other members are Clarence Kiichdorfer, Louisville; Frazter D. Lebus Jr., Cynthlana; Sam Look, Lexington, and Catesby C 1 a.y, Paris. m AUTOGRAPH time drew the INS All-American together with two Klamath Junior High students as Dennis Johnson, left, and Bobby Thompson, right, gather with a football hero for a few minutes. Carolyn Lugo, Witte's other foster sister, listens in front of the trio., ' Browns Favored Over Rams In NFL Playoff L03 ANGELES, Dec. 24 1,1-The defending champion Cleveland Browns arrive on the bnttlo scene Saturday, very definitely set on de fentlntr the Los Angeles Rams and capturing the National Football League crown for the third time for their coach, Paul (The Master) Brown, The experts say the Browns will succeed in Uie nationally televised game In Memorial Coliseum Mon day. The feat, If achieved, will serve as a handsome Christmas present lor the coach and a fitting golng-away gift tor the top field general In professional football, quarterback: Otto Graham. Bylines From The Sidelines 1 ; (Bylines Continued from Page 6) ' Bobo Olson a few wepks bnck, Sugar Rny Riew sweet In the hearts of boxing runs all over the nation. He did what others couldn't . COMEBACK. Bill Vukovich' flaming death on the Indianapolis Speedway and the Nashua-Swaps match race were neck and neck for our third, ranked sports story, but the tragedy won out. "Vuky's" death cut short it bid for an unprecedented third "600" victory. And to top off the fickle finger of fate's blow to the racing world, Vukovich was leading when the accident occurred. Nashua showed Swaps what tho bottoms of horseshoes look like as Willie Shoemaker pushed the Belalr Stud entry all the way In Uie $10,000 match race. Jack Fleck's Open win was a Horatio .Alger tale come true. Fleck came In as a nobody and left as gnlfdom's klnjr among kings. Bantam Urn iIogan's legs were Just a shade too rubbery when he and Fleck went Into a plnyoff after the game veteran made a tre mendous late rally to tio the unknown on the flnnl three holes. It might have been just another fight for liocky Mnrclano. but for Archie Moore It was a life-long dream. But just like Marclano's other 41 opponents, again Archie anon woke up. By slopping Moore with his axe-handle methods, Marclano punched his way Into the open with no logical contenders. Taborl's mile run of 3:99 was rare, but the fact that two other trackstcrs also ran under the four-minute barrier In the same race is even more Interesting. The $1,251,000 sale of Nashua was news be cause it marked a new high for a horse sale. Many will argue the value of Nashua, but the Horse of the Year will be remembered In time to come. The Aussics made a shambles of the Davis Cup play last August, In a year that the U.S. team of Tony Trabert and Vic Selxas was supposed to come through with flying colors. The tenth place deodlock was another tough selection since Camp bell's record breaking 216 mph over Lake Meado to establish a new world speedboat mark turned In another "Impossible" performance. Pew people ever thought the 200 mile mark on water was possible, yet Campbell's Bluebird skimmed along the water 16 miles better. Williams' return to the Boston Red 8ox made the American League race a dandy. It is hard to say Just where the BoSox would have fin ished If Thumping Ted hadn't been around. " A happy and prosperous new year to all of our readers, and here's hoping that the year 1956 brings bigger and better sporting events to you, if 1055 can be surpassed. w A peaceful, Joyous holiday Is . our sincere wish for all. May good will and good fellowship be yours. f rr-iT - ' - 'II V t -t . 4 V ' A . -.. . .. r J m erii'iimaiiuTT , ,wmau n itnirm minim sinnnwin'i PAGE SEVEN Ram fans could look, back to 1961, however, when1 this same Graham, who will be playing his last game, and such grid gladia tors as Lou Groza, the kicking specialist; Dante Lavelli, Lcn Ford Abe oioron ana otner uicvcmna veterans, came here favored to lasso Uie Rams lor the champion ship. They failed. The Ram field marshal, Norman Van Brocklin, and his left end. Tommy Fears, crushed their hopes with a 13-yard ' touchdown pass play that won the game In the final quarter, 24-17, Game time: 1 p.m. PST 7 ' May We Take This Means of Saying "THANK YOU" For Your Patronoqe This Year A. M. BUSHWELL CO. CHUCK BAILEY AND THE STAFF OF Motor Investment From Everyone at . ? J -nrJ' Parker Pontiac Mr. & Mrs. Smith SMITH AUTO SUPPLY 919 Klamath Ave. . Phone 8413 606 So. 6th 155 E. Moio Phone 5370 S31 So. 6th Phi 3325 TtigsrTm sp
