Canceled: Grand Slam Track’s finale
The climactic UCLA meet was originally set for June 28-29 (see Last Lap).
Died: Bill Dellinger, 91
On June 27, in Eugene, Oregon. Winner of the NCAA mile for Oregon in ’54, he was runner-up the next year. In ’56, he won the NCAA 5000. The 3-time Olympian won 5000 bronze in ’64. He set American Records at 1500 and 5000 (3 times). He World Ranked No. 6 in the 5000 in ’64. The USTFCCCA Hall Of Famer later distinguished himself as a coach, guiding the Duck program for 25 years, winning 5 NCAA team titles and mentoring notables such as Steve Prefontaine.
Died: Guy Husson, 94
On June 18, in France. French hammer thrower Ranked No. 10 in the World in ’67. His highest Olympic placing was 13th in ’56; he didn’t advance to the final in ’60 or ’64.
Died: Eliud Kipsang, 28
On June 10, in Puyallup, Washington; of a heart attack. The 4th-placer in the ’21 NCAA 1500 for Alabama, he had placed 2nd in the Indoor mile earlier that season. In ’22, he set a Collegiate Record 3:33.74 in the early season but did not make the NCAA final.
Died: Nina Kuscsik, 86
On June 08, in New York City; of respiratory failure and complications of Alzheimer’s. Pioneering marathoner won the ’72 and ’73 NYC races and the ’72 Boston. She Ranked No. 7 among U.S. marathoners in ’77 (Women’s Rankings started in ’76).
Died: Steve Miller, 81
On June 15, in Portland, Oregon. The former head coach at Cal Poly and Kansas State was later a top executive for Nike. He also served as chairman of the board for USATF.
Died: Pauli Nevala, 84
On June 20, in Finland. Javelin thrower won the gold for Finland in the ’64 Olympics, but failed to make the ’68 final. A 9-time World Ranker, he was No. 1 in ’70 a year in which he came within 6cm of the WR.
Died: Ileana Silai, 83
On June 27, in Romania. She won the 800 silver at the ’68 Olympics, and gold in the Euro 1500 in ’78. In ’79 she was banned for steroid use, only to have the IAAF Council shorten the ban for “humane reasons.” ◻︎
