Sport: Depth to Spare

Looking toward the 1960 Olympic Games, the U.S. mustered its best track stars at the National Amateur Athletic Union meet in Boulder, Colo., and found them good. Most impressive was the depth of U.S. track prowess: when a champion faltered, there were eager contenders ready and able to take his place. Items:

¶Olympic Champion Bobby Morrow, troubled three weeks ago by muscle spasms, faiLed even to qualify in both the 100-and 200-meter dashes, sadly concluded: “I just didn’t have it.” Impressive winner of both events: lanky speedster Ray Norton, 21, of San Jose State College (TIME, June 15).

¶Hurdler Glenn Davis, who holds the Olympic title and world record for 400 meters, stumbled at the first barrier, suffered his first defeat since 1956, but still ran a strong second to surprising Dick Howard, 23, of the University of New Mexico.

¶Foreign runners are traditionally superior in distance races, but victories by 19-year-old University of Oregon Freshman Dyrol Burleson at 1,500 meters (3:47.5),Air Force Lieut. Bill Dellinger at 5,000 meters (14:47.6), and little (5ft. 5½ in., 128 Ibs.) Max Truex at 10,000 meters (31:22.4) gave the U.S. high hopes for next year.

¶Pole Vaulter Bob Gutowski, world record holder outdoors, vaulted 15ft. but could finish no better than fifth. The winner: Tarzan-like Don Bragg, 24, who tied three challengers at 15 ft. 3½ in., but got first place on the basis of fewer misses.

In other field events, the U.S. put on display an unrivaled roster of world champions, and each of them came through without serious challenge. Harold Connolly easily won his specialty, the hammer. Marine Lieut. Al Cantello (TIME, June 15) won the javelin, even though his winning toss was some 35 ft. shy of his pending world mark. Parry O’Brien, 28, rippling his muscles amid assorted grunts, snorts and grimaces, heaved the shot 62 ft. 2 in. for his seventh A.A.U. title in eight years, took dead aim on an Olympic gold medal.

No world records were set. But it seemed obvious that in the sprints, weight and jumping events, the U.S. could be confident of holding its own this summer in two big international track events: the U.S.-Soviet track meet next month and the Pan American Games in August.