MR. AMERICA 1963

By Bob Hasse

FOURTY CONTESTANTS, the greatest number of enter this event since the very first A.A.U. Mr. America contest was staged in Madison Square Garden in 1940, vied for the 1963 crown in the sweltering heat of the Zembo Mosque, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 28th and 29th. Veteran observers opined that there was greater depth of excellence in this large group than had been seen in any previous Mr. America tourney.

When the final tally was in, the winner by a clear margin of 3 points over his nearest rival was 26-year-old Vern Weaver of the York Barbell Club. It was Weaver's fourth crack at the coveted title. The York Strongman was much improved over last year, when he placed fourth, as is evidenced by his score of 92½, a gain of 7½ points over his 1962 rating. His heavily muscled broad back and massive arms stood out even in this gathering of American muscledom's finest. He was particularly impressive in repose, where his unaffected, athletic posture was a welcome relief from the lat-spreading, pectoral-flicking element.

Runner-up in the Mr. America scoring for the second year in a row and a repeat winner of the Most Muscular Man award was 19-year-old Harold Poole of Hofmeister's Gym, Indianapolis, Indiana. This was also Poole's fourth appearance in Mr. America competition. There is no doubt that he has improved in muscular development since last year, and his victory in the Most Muscular event was practically taken for granted the minute he began his posing routine. Harold accepted the huge Most Muscular trophy with obvious satisfaction, but his reaction to the announcement that he was placed second in Mr. America scoring gave proof positive that he is not yet ready for that honor. Confused and perhaps abetted by hooting and booing from a loudmouthed minority in the audience, the Indiana teen-ager floundered on stage, seemingly unable to make up his mind whether he should accept the runner-up trophy or not; when he did, amidst the uproar he continued to move about the stage. Not knowing what to expect next, the emcee, Bob Callahan, a Baltimore radio announcer, has the curtain drawn shut. Some minutes later the curtains parted again, and Weaver was announced as the winner. With apparent reluctance, Poole shook the victor's hand. A short time later the five top men were asked to pose as a group on the elevated posing platform. Poole, in tears, hesitated momentarily behind the other four, then walked off stage.

Very much of a surprise in third place in his first Mr. America attempt was U.S. Air Force medico Capt. Craig Whitehead, who represented the New Orleans A.C. Dr. Whitehead, 27, had trained himself into excellent condition for the big contest.

Another New Orleans A.C. star, C John Gourgott, a medical student at Louisiana State University, finished in fourth place. This former Teen-Age Mr. America also placed fourth in the midheavyweight lifting with a 900 pound total and was selected by a panel of 10 men as the best built weightlifter in the two-day lifting competition. A special trophy commemorating this honor was presented to Gourgott by Karo Whitfield.

Rounding out the top five in the Mr. America ratings was William Seno, a college student from Melrose Park, Illinois, who represented to Sayre Park Weightlifting Club of Chicago. Seno also was a runner-up to Poole in the Most Muscular scoring; Weaver placed third in this category.

Veteran Hugo Labra of California, heavier than ever at 33 and sporting a sun tan, slipped to sixth place this year, down three from his high third place finish last year. The 1963 Junior Mr. America, Randy Watson, a 22-year-old ordained minister from Nashville, Tennessee, was seventh, followed by another bodybuilder of national prominence, Mike Ferraro, 24, of Buffalo, New York. Newcomer Val Vasilieff, 25, a Sicklerville, New Jersey, resident who is a member of the York Barbell Club, found himself in ninth place in his first Mr. America competition, one point in front of another veteran, former Junior Mr. America Elmo Santiago of the Bronx, New York, who at 32 still displays one of the most pleasing physiques in the nation.

A better idea of the caliber of this year's contestants may be gained by noting that such prominent bodybuilders as Joe Lazzaro, Don Howorth, and George Sheffield finished on down the line. With very few exceptions, each of the competitors was an outstanding physical specimen and a worthy contender for Mr. America consideration.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- As newly chosen 1963 Mr. America Vern Weaver accepts the plaudits of the crown, outgoing 1962 Mr. America Joe Abbenda approaches the posing platform bearing the new titlist's huge trophy.

- All five Mr. America finalists appeared on stage only momentarily as a group following the announcement of Vern Weaver's victory; The traditional posed photos of the top five could not be taken as disgruntled runner-up Harold Poole hurriedly left the stage immediately after this photo was snapped. From left: William Seno, fifth place in Mr. America scoring and runner-up in the Most Muscular Man competition; 1963 Mr. America Vern Weaver, who placed third in the Most Muscular voting; Harold Poole, second place Mr. America and winner of the Most Muscular award; Dr. Craig Whitehead, third place Mr. America; and C. John Gourgott, fourth place Mr. Ameirca.

- [28 small pics of top 29 excluding Joe Sgroi]