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University Daily Kansan Friday. April 20,1956
AL OERTER
Series Of Bets Aids Oerter In Quest For New Records
A series of bets totaling $800 between Al Oerter, New Hyde Park N. Y., sophomore and his father is one of the things aiding the champ pion discus hurler in his quest for new records.
Al won a bet of $200 last year when he became the top college freshman discus expert in the nation by hurting the discus 171 feet, 6 inches. He lost more than 180 feet this year to win a second $200 from his father.
To win a third and fourth $200 he must hurl the discus 190 feet in his junior year and 200 feet during his senior year!
The national collegiate record for the discus is 190 feet and the world's record is 194 feet.
Otert captured the national high school record for the discus when he hurled it 184 feet 23/4 inches in 1854.
Oerter, who is 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs 222 pounds, took first in the Texas Relays with a throw of 165 feet 1 inch. He also has thrown twice and she feet 8 inches during practice and adds valuable points in the event.
In high school he started out as a sprinter and hurdler. He said that he entered only one hurdle event during high school and won it, but is "naturally lazy" and decided to switch to field events.
At present Oerter is classed about fourth among the nation's discus hunters and has a chance of making the Olympic team. To go to the United States, you must be chosen by competition this summer from six United States discus men.
Golf Schedule
With regular improvement during the next three years several more discus records can be expected to be obtained and talented sophomore hauler graduates.
April 28—Iowa State at Lawrence
 April 27—Missouri at Columbia
 May 4—Washburn at Lawrence
 May 5—Missouri at Lawrence
 May 11—Kansas State at Lawrence
 May 18-19—Big 7 Meet at Manhat-
Big 7 Meet at Manhattan
Emporia's Utter Top Polevaulter
No pole-vaulter has won a relays title since KU's Don Bird annexed the 1937 crown at 13 feet 6 inches. A slender 145-pounder from Emporia State hopes to change that pattern Saturday.
Utter lifted several eyebrows when he climbed 14-5 in the Emporia Reels to establish a new school record. And had not Kansas State's Paul Miller cleared 14-2) just a month earlier to win the Colorado championship, a mark would have been the best ever recorded by a Sunflower athlete.
He is Dick Utter, third in a line of classy Hornet vaulters which includes Roger Ruth and Earle McKown.
The home-grown Hornet junior proved his leap against the Shockers was no fluke by clearing 14-0 at Saturday's Texas Rails to tie for first place with Oklahoma's Big Seven indoor champion, Hendrik Kruger, and Jim Graham of Oklahoma A&M.
If Utter can win here he'll be the first Emporia State champion since McKown.
That, however, will not come easily. For the field promises to be closely bunched with the likes of Kruger, Miller, Graham; Winton Thomas, Texas A&M; Gardner Van Dyke and Nick Piper of Iowa; Graham's teammate, Charles Manwarring; Dave Tams, Kansas; Missouri's Karl Englund, and two of last year's five co-champs, Stew Walker, Colorado, and Dave Rogers, Minnesota.
Les Bitner Aims At Javelin Crown
No school has ever put together three consecutive javelin titles since the relays began in 1923. Don Snee-gas, who won the javelin the past two years for KU, was lost through graduation.
Les Bitner, Kansas' 1955 NCAA champion, can write javelin history here at the 31st running of the Kansas Relays.
Even with the NCAA record to his credit, the 180-pound redhead will have to give one of his best performances to break the meet record, set in 1837 by Hardwood. The mark has been more than a record—it has been almost untouchable for 19 years.
Ironic as it may seem, Bitner did not win the javelin at any of the "big three" (Texas, Drake, Kansas) last year. He then threw 246-feet 1 inch to win the NCAA title and break the record. He came away this year with the Texas Relays javelin crown; to help Kansas complete their in itself. He threw eight events, a record in itself. He weighted 15 inches to set a new standard for that event, breaking a record which had stood for 18 years.
Bitner's best marks include a 236-feet 3/2 inch heave at the Arkansas, Relays and a 223-feet 5-inch heave at the Iowa with Oklahoma A & M last year;
WELCOME to the RELAYS
Coach Bill Easton praised Bitner very highly saying, "He is really a fine student of the javelin, and he has been a great influence on the younger boys on the squad. His national record was a fine reward for his hard work and study of the event.
"We believe, that with his knowledge of the javelin and his will to work hard, he will top 250 this year," Easton added.
You're in for a busy weekend of sports, parades and parties; but take time out to enjoy a wonderful sea food, steak, or chicken dinner at Duck's Tavern. It will be a high spot of your vacation!
GO TO IT, KANSAS
We're Behind You
DUCK'S Sea Food Tavern 824 Vermont
When You're In Doubt, Try It Out—Kansan Classified Section.