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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1972)
create -o the Problem, e better], r organs frustray but I (, 16 rules ],] somed concerning fiberglass poles BILL HENRY Dattalion Sports Editor "What kind of fool am I?” This lyric of a popular song Siust be the theme of pole vault- rs around the world. Who would be foolish enough run down a 24-foot asphalt “H trip, stick a 16-foot fiberglass ide into a slanted box and fling limself over a bar between 14 nd 17-feet off the ground? Not many people in their right ninds, right? To make matters worse, after lie ascent, the vaulter must land a 15-foot square foam rubber r sawdust pit. "Pole vaulting is the most dan gerous and expensive event in rack,” A&M track coach Char- ey Thomas said. “But, to have good program you must have competent individuals in every event.” The possibility of injury is al ways present, especially with the fiberglass pole. “The worst mishaps occur when the pole shatters,” Thomas added. “It is possible to have the pole break in the middle of your jump and have part of it go through you.” Not many such injuries have occurred but many others have. “The most common problem is missing the pit after clearing the bar. If you don’t come down per fectly, you may miss the pit and suffer anything from a sprained ankle to a broken back. “Another common problem is having either your pole or the bar fall on you in the pit after the jump. I’ve known many vaulters to have their noses brok en this way.” Why would an athlete partici pate in such an event knowing what can happen to him ? “I enjoy it because it gives me a feeling of freedom up in the air like that,” top A&M pole vaulter Harold McMahan said. “It also gives me a feeling of confidence when I can fling my self over the bar. It’s like flying without wings or any other me chanical device. I also like it be cause it is just me, a total indi vidual effort.” Poles cost from $60 to $120 each and the four A&M vaulters have 11 poles among them. The money has been put to good use this season as all four have gar nered points in various meets around the nation. Isaac takes pole position or Winston stock car race ADEGA, Ala. UP) _ Bobby saac, no stranger to breath- aking speed, blitzed the Ala- ama Motor Speedway at 192.428 ailes per hour Wednesday to win ;ho pole position for the Winston iOO stock car care. Isaac, ’M, needed only 49.764 kconds to negotiate his way [round the 2.66 mile tri-oval, his red Dodge hitting a speed trap [t the end of the long back straightaway at better than 215 m.p.h. Later, to show his top lap was no fluke, the 1970 Grand National champion recorded a lap at 191.443 m.p.h. His best lap was almost two miles an hour faster than that of David Pearson, who won the other front row berth by driving a Mercury at 190.699 m.p.h. The second row spots for Sun- Lester (Red) Parsons A candidate for County Commis sioner. After 30 years of service to Brazos County, I am seeking the position of Commissioner of Pre cinct 1. Since I believe the position should be a full time job and hav ing no other business interest I in tend to devote my entire energies and experience to the service of the people of Precinct 1. I urge you to go to the polls and vote. When you vote Lester (Red) Par sons you are voting for a man of integrity as well as a proven pub lic servant. Pd. Pol. Advertisement day’s 50-car lineup went to Rich ard Petty, who abandoned his familiar Plymouth to drive a Dodge for this race and clocked 188.567 m.p.h., and Bobby Alli son, who streaked around at 188.388 m.p.h. in a Chevrolet owned by the legendary Junior Johnson. The third row will be made up of Buddy Baker, who drov'e 186.376 m.p.h. in a Dodge; and Donny Allison, Bobby’s younger brother who recorded 182.807 m.p.h. in a Chevrolet. Red Bar ber, the three-time national sportsman champion, got his Ford in the field at 178.131 m.p.h. Other qualifiers—only the first 10 positions were at stake in the initial trials — included Frank Warren, in eighth place at 178.048 in a Dodge; Country and West ern singer Marty Robbins, 174.789 in a Dodge; and 1971 rookie of the year Walter Ballard 172.867 in a Mercury. The next 15 positions in the lineup will be at stake in second day qualifying Thursday. TRY BATTALION CLASSIFIED PLEASE don’t overlook The important Railroad Commission Race The Texas Railroad Commission has broad regulatory and enforcement powers pertaining to— ★ Conservation of Oil and Gas Activities it Pipelines it Railroads, Trucks and Buses it Liquefied Petroleum Industry EACH of these are vitally and directly tied to OUR LOCAL ECONOMY BYRON TUNNELL now a member of the Railroad Commission and seeking re-election, to a second term LET'S KEEP BYRON TUNNELL RAILROAD COMMISSIONER ... an experienced leader with sound judgement Vote for BYRON TUNNELL, May 6, 1972 (Political Adv.—Paid for by Bryon Tunnell Campaign Committee.) J&i THE DEMOCRATIC WAY: KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES-VOTE THE BEST QUALI FIED MAN. Iii the public interest and motivated by the desire for an accurate statement of the two candi dates for the office of County Attorney, the following information is published for the benefit of the voting citizens. Roland Searcy Doug Howell Education: Number of Criminal Cases Contested: Uncontested: Texas A&M University, 1961 Baylor Law School, 1964 20 to 30 100 to 200 United States Military Academy Baylor Law School, 1969 0 Not more than 3 Years in Practice: 8 2V2 Teaching: 4 1 /2 years, Allen Military Academy 2 years, Texas A&M University 0 Knowledge and Ability to Work with Law Enforcement: Roland Searcy knows almost all members of local law enforcement agencies on a first name basis. He has had many dealings with them. Doug Howell is virtually unknown among law enforcement officials in the County. Base of Support for County Attorney Election: Broad base, running from minority groups to business - professional man. Broad sup port from all income groups, students, and members of the academic community. Unknown Offices Held in Brazos County Bar Association: Secretary-Treasurer; 2 terms as Vice- President; President. None Judicial Experience Served as Corporation Court Judge, City of Bryan. None Paid For by Brazos County Committee for Good Government, Betty Marek, Chairman.