Strength & Health, Page 22, October 1966

HIGHTLIGHTS OF THE 1966 MR. AMERICA SHOW

by Bill Starr

The 27th Annual A.A.U. Mr. America Contest was more than a physique contest -- it was a tremendous variety show as well. Mike Steven and Lyle Crim put on a fine clean and jerk exhibition. The Mannetts thrilled the crowd with their tumbling, acrobatics, and parallel bar exercises. Steve Johnson demonstrated his skill in karate in between appearances in the Mr. A competition. Ken Sherburne delighted the audience with his juggling performance and Karen Nyce made the most flexible viewers feel very humble indeed after watching her contortionist act. Bill Parker, who was also a Mr. A contestant, treated everyone to a fantastic display in muscle control The variety part of the show was toppped off with a gilded artistry presentation. Gene Kuczinski posed in gold with Rick Sargent, Ray Dotterwich, Mel Long, and Chick Schiesser in silver.

The entire show was MCed very expertly by Bob Callahan and John Picard at the organ gave the entire affair a professional touch.

Strength & Health presents an exclusive "first" -- the judges scoring for the 1966 Mr. America Contest. We have long felt that the individual scores of the judges should be made public as they are in any other athletic activity such as: figure skating, diving, boxing, gymnastics, etc. This would eliminate any behind-the-scenes "hanky panky" on the part of the officials. We feel that if the judges are aware that their decisions are going to be publiczed, then they will be less biased and more discreet in their decision making. We recommend that this be a required practice in future physique competitions.

1966 MR. AMERICA SCORE SHEET

contestantWhitfieldStankoHiseBatesWeissbrotCristFergusonSub-TotalAthletic
Points
Total
1. Will Whitaker151211½121911½1259564
2. John Kaczynski910999844246
3. Ray Melendez8888739½241½
4. Randy Watson1512½13½1110½1112½60½565½
5. Gene Kuczinski1012½10½10½810½1051½556½
6. Jerry Doettrel10109946450
7. Flaubert Peltier7981239544
8. Charles Fautz9111199747½552½
9. Gene Wells1210½11101051556
10. Ken Covington99978943½47
11. Ralph Kroger141212½12½11½1212½61½566½
12. Tom Hutson1012½99947552
13. Kent Kuehn81091010946551
14. Bill St. John1210½10½11½10½101052½557½
15. Tom Helms1212½10½1110½53½558½
16. James Kowalski91098744246
17. Wm. Parker1410½11981050555
18. Jim Dorn910½1191047552
19. Steve Johnson121010½10½848553
20. Dennis Tinerino131411½1211½12½12½61½364½
21. Bob McNeill88546½
22. Charles Estes14141210½10½1111½59564
23. James Haislop149111112½13½12½60½565½
24. Eugene Dickerson12141110951½556½
25. Bob Gajda141013½13½12½11½1364569
26. Nick Spano1491210½9950555
27. Jose Lopez9910½10991047249
28. Sergio Oliva1511½13121212½1261½566½
29. Dan Howard99128944½246½
20. George Papp698967636238
31. Steve Sakoulos10977944549

Judgint the Mr. America Contest is done by the point system. The judges can give a maximum of 5 points to each contestant for: symmetry, muscular development, and general appearance for an overall maximum of 15 points. A panel of seven judges vote for Mr. America. The high and low scores for each contestant are eliminated to prevent bias and the remaining five scores are totaled. This give the sub-total. A five point maximum for athletic ability is allowed for each contestant and this is added in after the sub-total. This gives the final total for the contestant. In cases of ties the high and low scores are added to determine the highest man.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- The 1966 Most Muscular Winners: (left ot right) Ralph Kroger, 5th; Dennis Tinerino, 3rd; Sergio Oliva, 1st; Bob Gadja, 2nd; and Will Whitaker, 4th;

- (Above) The contestants make an impressive showing before the Mr. A Contest begins. (1) The physique judges confer with John Terlazzo, meet director, and Rudy Sablo, National AAU Weightlifting Chairman. (B) Bill St. John is being interviewed during the pre-judging phase of the contest. (C) The judges look over half of the entries during pre-judging. (D) Pre-judging gave the photographers an excellent opportunity to take some fine pictures.

- The Mr. America show had something for everyone. The final act was a gilded artistry demonstration. Gene Kuczinski went through a posing routine while glistening in gold as his silver-glazed attendants accompanied him.

- One of the highlights of the variety show was the contortionist and balancing act put on by lovely Karen Nyce.

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