Ryan's "demise" started well before the 68 Olympics. He had trained his whole life aimed at the 68 Games. I watched him at the 68 Texas Relays, and he was definitely a different person. The Sprint Medley may be the greatest race I ever saw - 8 teams finishing within 3 yards of each other. Ryan anchored Kansas, Roger Colglasier (sp) was a star that day along with Dave Morton. Texas freshman from Memorial. Ryan faded down the stretch & K-State, ACC, Texas, Lamar, TSU, maybe aTm.
Seven days later, Lamar's track team perished in a plane crash returning from the Drake or Kansas relays when the Beaumont airport manager turned off the runway lights 20 minutes before they arrived.
Seven days later, Lamar's track team perished in a plane crash returning from the Drake or Kansas relays when the Beaumont airport manager turned off the runway lights 20 minutes before they arrived.