Not to diminish what Richards did, the Olympics back then were weak

Apr 17, 2014
2:14:17pm

donnerstag

only a few countries showed up and only a few athletes took training seriously. If you were a good athlete, you could make the Olympic team. A 6'4" high jump is just above average for high school these days.

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donnerstag

Bio page: donnerstag
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Messages

Author

Time

Greatest athlete to ever compete for BYU?

PJMort

4/17/14 12:21pm

yep, I'd go with Frankie as well

boxydutch

4/17/14 12:21pm

I'd agree with Frankie.

SoCalCoug

4/17/14 12:22pm

Compared to his competition, I'd have to go with

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 12:24pm

Very interesting. I had not heard of Alma Richards. Good catch.

PJMort

4/17/14 12:26pm

Thanks. After winning the Gold in 1912, he was the #1 U.S. athlete

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 12:30pm

A couple other things. He was also the National Decathalon Champion, and was

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 12:33pm

Sold on Alma. Frankie is still #1, but Alma is 1(a).

PJMort

4/17/14 12:37pm

I think they are clearly the top 2. Obviously,

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 12:43pm

If you base it on college success, then Leonard Myles-Mills

donnerstag

4/17/14 12:48pm

Both great athletes. But Richards not only won the National Championship, but

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 1:01pm

Not to diminish what Richards did, the Olympics back then were weak

donnerstag

4/17/14 2:14pm

This is way before the Fosbury Flop. You can't compare pre-Fosbury Flop jumping

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 2:54pm

If you want to argue that, then the WR was 7'5"

donnerstag

4/17/14 3:00pm

Look at 1912. The world record was 2.0 Meters, and Richards jumped a 1.93.

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 9:15pm

He was a great high jumper for that time period for sure

donnerstag

4/17/14 9:59pm

Either way, they are all great. And you could make arguments for any of them.

Gentleman Stan

4/17/14 1:04pm

Agreed. Frankie was the best athlete to ever wear the BYU uniform

donnerstag

4/17/14 12:25pm

Danny Ainge. I love the 2 sport thing.

Shimmy

4/17/14 12:26pm

I think Young would have to be considered as well due simply to the fact that

hansel

4/17/14 12:27pm

Frankie was a freak of nature

donnerstag

4/17/14 12:32pm

Didn't they make a movie about that?

Bergloewe

4/17/14 5:28pm

Agree, I think Young is my #2-- because of what you said

PJMort

4/17/14 12:34pm

Its hard to go wrong with these choices

PolarisPrime

4/17/14 1:53pm

Yep, add Jack Morris to the list of candidates.

PJMort

4/17/14 4:41pm

Danny Ainge: high school all american in basketball, football, & baseball

84 Grad

4/17/14 12:28pm

Played soccer against him in '92 (intramural).

HI5

4/17/14 12:28pm

He came and ran with us on the track sometimes

donnerstag

4/17/14 12:35pm

Fredericks....that is an excellent choice..

Heinz57

4/17/14 12:33pm

From Wikipedia on Fredericks Though he is not a Mormon, he enjoyed the religious

zuldiras

4/17/14 12:53pm

Fredericks got a BS in Computer science and an MBA, that's impressive too.

zuldiras

4/17/14 1:02pm

Kayle Buchanan, cornerback

Andyd

4/17/14 1:04pm

RE: Greatest athlete to ever compete for BYU?

meetvirginia

4/17/14 1:29pm

Ainge, pro bball player, pro baseball player and scratch golfer.

Walter Bellhaven

4/17/14 1:37pm

You would also have to consider Mike Weir and Johnny Miller

PolarisPrime

4/17/14 2:16pm

Interesting catches as well. I've never followed golf much.

PJMort

4/17/14 4:20pm

Ainge, Milar, Sander. These guys are great. Ainge gets my nod overall.....

PhilPete

4/17/14 2:43pm

Its a fun discussion

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