Jack Yerman

After some disappointing early season performances, Jack Yerman of Cal/Berkeley rounded into form for the Final Trials and, after setting a career best of 46.0 in the heats, he won the final later in the day in 46.3. In the individual 400 m at the Rome Olympics, Yerman was eliminated in the semi-finals, but in the relay he set the U.S. on their way to the gold medals and a world record with an opening leg of 46.2. At the 1959 Pan American Games he won silver with the 4×100 m relay team (with Josh Culbreath, Eddie Southern, and the non-Olympian Dave Mills) and finished sixth in the 400 m. Yerman also played fullback on the Cal football team, playing for them in the 1959 Rose Bowl. After his athletic career he became a teacher and coach. In retirement he and his wife managed their investments and worked on civic projects.

Personal Bests: 220y – 21.0s (1959); 400 – 46.0 (1960); 880y – 1:47.9 (1962).