Strength & Health, Page 22, September 1966

THE 1966 MR. AMERICA SHOW

CONTESTANTCLUBPOINTS
1.Bob GajdaDuncan YMCA69
2.Sergio OlivaDuncan YMCA66½
3.Ralph KrogerCoast Health Studio66½
4.Randy WatsonAtlanta, Ga.65½
5.James Haisloptampa Health Club65½
6.Dennis TinerinoBrookylyn, N. Y.64½
7.Will WhitakerParkview Health Club64
8.Charles EstesCosmopolitan HC64
9.Tom HelmsYork Barbell Club58½
10.Bill St. JohnYork Barbell Club57½
11.Eugene DickersonLea's Gym56½
12.Eugene KuczinskiEastern Health Studio56½
13.Gene WellsFritsh's Gym56
14.Nick SpanoPhysical Fitness HC55
15.Wm. ParkerBel Air Health Club55
16.Steve JohnsonFritsch'e Gym53
17.Charles FautzSurf Breakers AC52½
18.Tom HutsonSt. Louis, Mo.52
19.Jim DornYork Barbell Club52
20.Kent KuehnLansing, Mich.51
21.Jerry DoettrelYork, AC, Buffalo50
22.Jose LopezRoberto Santana HC49
23.Steve SakoulosIrving Park YMCA49
24.Ken CovingtonBoodley's Gym47
25.Dan HowardUniv. of Tulsa46½
26.Bob McNeillDon's HC46½
27.John KaczynskiEastern Health Studio46
28.James KowalskiPittsburgh Boys' Club46
29.Flaubert PeltierBoston YMCA44
30.Ray MelendezFritshe's Gym41½
31.George PappBuffalo, N. Y.38

MOST MUSCULAR

  1. Sergio Oliva
  2. Bob Gajda
  3. Dennis Tinerino
  4. Will Whitaker
  5. Ralph Kroger

SUBDIVISIONS

Best Abdominals - Dennis Tinerino
Best Arms - Sergio Oliva
Best Legs - Ralph Kroger
Best Back - Sergio Oliva
Best Chest - Will Whitaker

The 1966 Mr. America show was a huge success in all respects. John Terlazzo, the show director, and his organizing committee are certainly to be cogratulated for making this the "best ever". For the first time in the 27-year history of the Mr. America Contest, the competition was conducted on a separate evening from the lifting contest. The show was not only attractive to bodybuilding enthusiasts, but to all persons, regardless of their interest or ages. Besides the subdivision, most muscular, and Mr. A posign competition there were numberous variety acts for young and old alike. Tumbling, karate, acrobatics, juggling, muscle control, hand balancing, and gilded artistry performances added greatly to the contest. As someone said as they left the York High School Auditorium, "This will be a tough acto to follow."

Bob Gajda, the personable Chicago YMCA worker, captured the top honor in the Mr. America competition. He has everything that it takes to be a great Mr. America. Needless to say, he has the muscles, but he also creates a fine appearance and has an interest in the game that rfew others have possessed. Sergio Oliva was the runner-up for Mr. A and won the Most Muscular title as well as two subdivisions: "Best Back" and "Best Arms". Ralph Kroger was a very close third place finisher. He also won the "Best Legs" award and was fifth in the Most Muscular contest. Randy Watson and James Haislop were next in the top five. A full report on the competition and the show will be in next month's issue.

(In the event of a tie the hight and low scores of the judges were totaled to determine the winner.)

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Bob Gajda, Mr. America of 1966

- Sergio Oliva, Ralph Kroger, Randy Watson, James Haislop, Dennis Tinerino, Will Whitaker

- Charles Estes, Tom Helms, Bill St. John

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