I received this comment recently from Herb Young. I am interested in talking further with him about his vaulting days and history. Thanks for your interest Herb!
My name is Herb Young and I trained with George Roubanis at UCLA when he won 3rd. place in the 1956 Olympics. Greece's first medal of the modern Olympics. George lived with my family in Los Angeles. We helped him get one of early fiberglass poles which he used. You had to have the strength of Hercules to carry one.
I was looking at the 4th edition of Mechanics and the predictions of future record heights at about 16 ft 6 inches. Does the modern pole give another 4 feet?
I used to jump with my hands apart, which was considered bad technique then and now seems to be the standard.
I did 14 feet feet with the old gill pole and had to quit from a back injury in 1959. I recall two or three years later, vaulters where going 2 to 3 feet higher. (Aubrey Dooley comes to mind) . I did vault with Richards, Gutowski, Morris and Brewer. These guys were amazing. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.
Thanks for your comment Herb. I retired from vaulting about 3 years ago after a 4th at the National meet in Chicago. I am still involved in working on safety issues that will hopefully make our sport safer for the generations ahead. 14' was a great vault in the 50's. I will try to contact you via your email and we can talk further. Regards, Jerry
I received this comment recently from Herb Young. I am interested in talking further with him about his vaulting days and history. Thanks for your interest Herb!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Herb Young and I trained with George Roubanis at UCLA when he won 3rd. place in the 1956 Olympics. Greece's first medal of the modern Olympics. George lived with my family in Los Angeles. We helped him get one of early fiberglass poles which he used. You had to have the strength of Hercules to carry one.
I was looking at the 4th edition of Mechanics and the predictions of future record heights at about 16 ft 6 inches. Does the modern pole give another 4 feet?
I used to jump with my hands apart, which was considered bad technique then and now seems to be the standard.
I did 14 feet feet with the old gill pole and had to quit from a back injury in 1959. I recall two or three years later, vaulters where going 2 to 3 feet higher. (Aubrey Dooley comes to mind) . I did vault with Richards, Gutowski, Morris and Brewer. These guys were amazing. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.
Are you still setting age records?
Thanks for your comment Herb. I retired from vaulting about 3 years ago after a 4th at the National meet in Chicago.
DeleteI am still involved in working on safety issues that will hopefully make our sport safer for the generations ahead.
14' was a great vault in the 50's. I will try to contact you via your email and we can talk further.
Regards,
Jerry