The 1955 Mr. America Contest

Marine Seargeant Steve Klisanin won the 1955 Mr. America contest with Ray Schaefer second, and Vic Seipke and Don Van Fleteren tied for third. Klisanin is an outstanding weight lifter and a former football star. He is 5'9" tall and weighs 185.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

-Sub-division winners at the 1955 Mr. America contest were (left to right) Vic Seipke, Best Abdominals; Tony Silipini, Best Chest; Art Harris, Best Arms, and Arnold (Spec) Lacey, Best Legs and Best Back. Ray Schaefer, who won Most Muscular Man, is not shown.

-(Left) Arnold (Spec) Lacey, of Kentucky, was the only Mr. America contestant to win two subdivisions. He won the awards for legs and back development, and this photo shows why he won them. (Right) Although his muscularity was "flattened" by strong flash lighting, Steve Klisanin's development still appears outstanding in this photo.

-A personal interview was a new innovation at the 1955 Mr. America contest, with the judges being given an opportunity to see contestants under normal conditions and ask about their background and ambitions. Here, interviewing Steve Klisanin, from left to right are Bob hoffman, Al Roy, Peary Rader, Karo Whitfield, Ray Van Cleef (behind Whitfield), Harry Paschall and John Terpak.

-The 1955 Jr. Mr. America, Vic Seipke, tied for third in the senior event. This picture makes it evident why he was chosen as the contestant with the best developed abdominal muscles.

-Art Harris, with outstanding development of both biceps and triceps, was a deserving winner of the Best Arms award. Harris placed second in the Jr. Mr. America contest.

-After a year's absence from Mr. America competition, Tony Silipini returned to again win the Best Chest award he had first captured in 1953.

-The posed photo above does not do justice to the development of 1955 Mr. America Steve Klisanin, for it was taken while he was stil a youth in prep school, where he was a football star as well as winner of the Mr. Pennsylvania title. Now, six years later, Klisanin is a sergeant in the Marine Corps and an outstanding Mr. America winner. He is 5'9" tall, weighs 185 and lifted 245-260-340 to win the mid-heavy class at the 1945 A.A.U. Jr. championships.

-A sensation of the 1955 Mr. America contest was Ray Schaefer, of Michigan City, Indiana. Schaefer, who puts his muscles to good use in his trade as a boilermaker, placed second in the Mr. America competition and won the coveted Most Musclar Man in America award. He also rated attention in the subdivisions, placing second in Best Back and Best Chest. Though he was unhearalded before the national contest, we are sure to hear more about this muscular marvel in the future.