Track and Field Roundup : Joe Dial Clears 19-4 3/4 to Set American Pole Vault Record

A record-breaking day at the 62nd annual Kansas Relays Saturday belonged to Joe Dial, who overcame controversy to soar 19 feet 4 3/4 inches and break his own American record in the pole vault.

Dial, 24, a former Oklahoma State star, had to wait almost 45 minutes after his jump while officials argued over whether he had set the record or not.

After measuring it himself and declaring he would not jump again, he was told by meet officials that a remeasure had confirmed his record. He then missed on three attempts at breaking the world record of 19-8 1/2.

“The wait took a little bit away from my first attempt, but it really didn’t affect me on the second and third tries,” Dial said. Of the world record, Dial said he had a meet at Norman, Okla., next week and added, “I’m coming closer and closer each time out.”

Dial was chosen the most valuable male performer in the meet at Lawrence, Kan., and LaTonya Shetfield of the San Diego Track Club was chosen top female performer. Shetfield won the 400-meter hurdles in a winning time of 56.04 and ran the third leg in the San Diego TC’s meet record time of 3:36.57 in the mile relay.

Jim Ryun, the former Kansas All-American miler, finished second to Herald Hadley in the masters 800-meter run, his first competition since 1973. Ryun’s 2:01.7 was second to Hadley’s 1:58.70.

Another old-timer, four-time Olympic gold medalist Al Oerter, did even worse when he tried the discus throw. Oerter dropped out because of back spasms.

“It’s disappointing because of the people who came out, but it was best for me to stop,” said the 50-year-old Oerter.

At San Jose City College, Greg Tafralis won the shotput with a throw of 69 feet 4 inches to highlight the Bruce Jenner II meet.

West Germans Rolf Danneberg and Jorg Schaefer posted victories in the discus and hammer, respectively. Danneberg, the 1984 Olympic champion, won his event with a throw of 217-9. Schaefer’s winning mark was 258-5, the best mark in the United States by a competitor this outdoor season.