Muscular Development, Vol 6, No 10, Page 32, October 1969

1969 MR. AMERICA CONTEST

By John C. Grimek

THE 1969 MR. AMERICA CONTEST and the National Weightlifting championships were held in Chicago on June 13, 14 and 15 at DePaul's Alumni Hall, a spacious, basketball type of gymnasium. At one end in the center of the gym a specially built platform was sturdily constructed to withstand the onslaught of record attempts. In all more than 25 National, American and World records were shattered and new marks established, which strongly illustrates the caliber of lifting that took place. A great turnout attended the championships, and chairman Norb Grueberhinted that around 5,000 tickets were sold in advance for this occasion. Of course, even the weather was favorable. Not nearly as hot as it has been on other occasions, and this may have contributed to the great record breaking performances. Those who didn't make it to Chicago this year missed the unusual lifting and the hotly contested Mr. America title.

The committee in charge apparently worked hard and long for the success achieved and deserve applause for their efforts. On the other hand, the selected venue wasn't befitting a Mr. America pageant because of its barn-like atmosphere (as so many commented on) when compared to some of the previous locations this competition was staged. All previous staging of the Mr. America contest was more professional and dramatic compared to this year's presentation. But outside of this the championships as a whole were a credit to the game and to all those who helped make them a success. The crowd was enthusiastic and orderly, applauding every great effort to the delight of each lifter and "mister" contestant.

Prejudging took place Sunday afternoon during the 242-pound lifting. Photographers were not allowed into the interview room, but a vote taken by Bob Crist, chairman of the Mr. America judging panel, allowed only one photographer to photograph each man after his interview. This was given to Cliff Swan, our West Coast representative. Some of the pictures used here were taken at that time, but the usual "Behind the Scenes," impromptu shots were not available this time.

Yet under this rule the judges were able to do their job without interference, whereas in other places in the past, half of the audience could mill around and this made it difficult for the judges to concentrate on their job. So barring everyone did have some advantages even though there were certain disadvantages.

Right after the prejudging and the conclusion of the 242-pound class, which lasted longer than expected, a dinner-banquet followed. Several awards were presented at this time, including some nominations for the Helms Hall of Fame. Immediately following this banquet the Mr. America contest got underway. Around two dozen entries for the Mr. America contest and Most Muscular Man contests were on hand for these events. As they lined up on the lifting platform, any experienced eye could see that a dozen or so would be in the top running.

1969 Mr. America Results
1.Boyer Coe, Lafayette, La.70½
2.Chris Dickerson, Jamaica, N.Y.70
3.Ken Waller, St. Louis, Mo.67
4.Bill St. John, Glassboro, N.J.65½
5.Bill Seno, Niles, Ill.65½
6.Robert Moore, Nashville, Tenn.63
7.Michael Dayton, Napa, Calif.58
8.Paul Love, Cupertino, Calif.56½
9.Joseph Sasso, Lynnfield, Mass.56½
10.Ellington Darden, Tallahassee, Fla.56½
11.Tommy Johnson, Columbus, Ohio56
12.Tom Muscolino, Chicago, Ill.54
13.Jerome Currin, Indianapolis, Ind.53½
14.Carl Smith, Richmond, Ky.53½
15.Alex McNeil, Jackson, Miss.52½
16.Willie Johnson, Akron, Ohio52
17.Curtis Haywood, Pataskalo, Ohio51½
18.Melvin Meriweather, Mich. City, Ind.51
19.Paul Devine, Chicago, Ill.50½
20.Don Howard, Tulsa, Okla.48
21.Harry Brown, Atlanta, Georgia46
22.William Collins, Washington, D.C.44½
23.Tom Howard, Indianapolis, Ind.42
24.Steve Sokoulos, Chicago, Ill.40

The sub-division winners and runners-up were first announced. Competition in each category was excellent, and those who won trophies for Best Arms, Chest, Back, Legs and Abdominals all deserve credit for their victories.

Following the sub-divisions the competition for the Most Muscular Man title took place, trophies were donated by MD magazine. Again competition was close, but in the final count it was Boyer Coe who emerged as the winner, Chris Dickerson second, and Ken Waller third. Then each man presented several poses to the audience that displayed his muscularity even as the crowd awaited the big news -- the crowning of a new Mr. America.

Anxiety enveloped the throng as MC Len Bosland, who incidentally did a very fine job of introducing each contestant, started announcing the Mr. America winners. Five places were announced, with Bill Seno being called out first for fifth place. Next came Bill St. John who was fourth. In third place was Ken Waller, and Chris Dickerson was in second place by one-half point behind winner Boyer Coe, thus making it one of the closest contests ever judged.

When the announcement was made, Sergio Oliva and Arnold Schwarzenegger, both of whom were conspicuous during all three days of the meet, jumped up on the platform and began congratulating the winners, almost tearing the arms off of Coe, Dickerson and the others. For some time pandemonium reigned and made it impossible for our photographers to get a good picture of the top five, which we had hoped to use in our center spread. Under the circumstances this proved impossible with so many enthusiasts crowding the platform.

However, shortly afterwards the workmen asked that the platform be cleared and they began disassembling it. Within minutes the huge platform that withstood the pounding of thousands of tons of weight was eliminated, while people were still bidding farewell to each other. Thus ended another championship and those who were fortunate enough to be present were rewarded in witnessing many record-breaking attempts, and the climax of the Mr. America contest.

To be sure it was a close contest all the way, but Boyer Coe achieved the victory he trained so diligently to get. Next year in Los Angeles, however, another lifting meet and Mr. America contest will be held. Meanwhile, those who came so close but didn't make it this year, will have to "hit the irons again and again" in hopes of attaining this victory. We wish them luck!

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Winners of the Most Muscular trophies were: Left to right: Ken Waller 3rd, Boyer Coe 1st, and Chris Dickerson 2nd. The contest was close and the finalists appeared evenly matched.

- The Top Five in the Mr. America Contest. From Left to right they are: Ken Waller 3rd, Boyer Coe the winner, Chris Dickerson 2nd, Bill St. John 4th, and Bill Seno 5th. This was Bill Seno's first appearance in any compeition for sometime, and he was quite a hit with the audience.

- Right: A view of the sub-division award winners. Left to right: Ken Waller won the Best Back, Boyer Coe the Mr America winner and also the Best Arms Award, Chris Dickerson took the Best Legs trophy, and Bill St. John won the award for the Best Abdominals. Bill Seno, not in these pictures, won the Best Chest.

- Above: Bill St. John displays the amazing midsection that won him the award for Best Abdominals. Below: Bill St. John and Bill Seno strike a pose for cameramen after winning their respective subdivisions.

- Bill Seno shows the impressive muscularity he has acquired in his arms, shoulders and chest. Bill took the Best Chest award.

- Top contender for the Mr. America and Most Muscular titles was Chris Dickerson. Chris, however, won the Best Legs trophy. Note his muscular, bulging thighs and shapely calves in this pose.

- Third place winner in both contests was Ken Waller who also won the Best Back Award. Photo taken at the prejudging.

- Bob Moore 6th of Tenn.

- Paul Love 8th of Calif.

- Joe Sasso 9th of Mass.

- Ell Darden 10th of Fla.

- Jerome Currin 13th of Ind.

- Carl Smith 14th of Ky.

- Curtis Haywood of Ohio placed 17th.

- Bob Crist, Chairman of the Mr. America judges, congratulates Bill Seno on winning the Best Chest award.

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