Died: Anatoliy Bondarchuk, 85
On December 23, in Kamloops, British Columbia. The ’72 Olympic champion in the hammer throw for the Soviet Union, he also won the ’76 bronze. As a coach, he mentored WR holder Yuriy Syedikh and current world No. 1 Ethan Katzberg. He World Ranked No. 1 in ’69, ’70, ’72 and ’73, and rated 8 years in all.
Died: Bob Fraley, 88
On December 30. He coached for 28 years at Fresno State, mentoring 44 All-Americas. In his retirement, he founded the Pole Vault Summit.
Died: Mike Kennedy, 82
On December 8, in Glendale, California. For 41 seasons, from 1982–2022, Kennedy was the T&FN High School Girls Editor, compiling the lists that formed the backbone of our female prep coverage. From the late ’60s into the early 2000s, he worked on the Los Angeles Times sports desk.
Died: Kerry O’Brien, 79
On 13 December, of dementia. The former World Record holder in the steeple, the Australian placed 4th in the ’68 Games after winning silver in the ’66 Commonwealth. Didn’t advance from the ’72 heats. He set a WR of 8:22.0 in ’70. A 5-time World Ranker, he was No. 1 in ’70. Set an indoor 2M record of 8:19.2 in ’71. Retired at age 26.
Died: Neomia Rodgers, 84
On January 13, in Waterbury, Connecticut. Winner of the ’57 AAU title in the high jump, she placed 7th in the ’59 Pan-Am Games and tied for 7th in the ’60 Olympics.
Died: Dick Weis, 87
On December 30, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Weis headed the Missouri program 1979–82 before coaching 26 years at Oklahoma State. With the Cowboys, he helped coach some 86 All-Americas, 9 NCAA champions among them. ◻︎
