Wow, here's one I never heard of even though I grew up in Ohio. Leonard 'Sonny' Truex was a cousin of Max Truex, US Olympian in 1956 and 60 and former US record holder in the 10,000. Leonard was not only Max's cousin, he was a hell of a good runner having come 4th in the 1500m O trials in 1952.
Leonard graduated from Lima (OH) Central High School (probably about 1948 or 1949) and matriculated to Ohio State. Cousin Max was from down the pike (60 miles) in Warsaw, Indiana and found his way to the West Coast via University of Southern California. Leonard's brother Ron was also noted as a good high school runner in his own obituary.
The following clipping from the Lima News, June 10, 1956 indicates Len won the Central Collegiates meet mile in 4:14.
The next story about his career ending injury that appears in local papers.
1500 METERS NCAA Meet 1952
1. Bob McMillen (Oxy) ...........................................Sr ...............3:50.7 (MR)
2. Joe LaPierre (Georgetown) ...............................Jr ................3:52.1
3. Fred Dwyer (Villanova) ......................................Jr ................3:52.9
4. Len Truex (Ohio State) ......................................Sr ...............3:53.3
5. John Ross' (Michigan) ......................................So ..............3:55.4
6. Bob Simon (Stanford) .......................................Jr ................3:56.6
7. Len Simpson (Cal) .............................................So ..............3:57.4
8. Dick Towers (Kansas State) ..............................Sr ...............4:00.6
"Yes, I do remember him." Dennis Kavanaugh
1952 Olympic Trials Results
| 1500 m | ||||
| 1 | Robert McMillen | USA | 3.49.3 | TR |
| 2 | Warren Dreutzler | USA | 3.50.8 | |
| 3 | Javier Montes | USA | 3.51.1 | |
| 4 | Leonard Truex | USA | 3.52.5 | |
| 5 | Fred Dwyer | USA | 3.52.6 | |
| 6 | Joseph LaPierre | USA | 3.53.2 | |
| 7 | Frank McBride | USA | 3.55.5 | |
| 8 | Ted Wheeler | USA | 3.56.2 | |
| American Athletes at Olympic 1952 Bill Stewart's coach Frank McBride was 7th . He was XC and Track coach coach at Wayne State. Ted Wheeler of Iowa was last. He ran at UCTC. McBride's quote was "Athletic sweat doesn't smell." Ask Bill. Ned Price | ||||
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