Original subtitles

How did it get in there?

I was teasing him with it.

It's not worth it. I shouldn't have dropped it!

Come on.

Run, run!

Don't let him get you!

Run!

Run! Run!

You scared me to death!

Don't you ever do anything like that again.

I do that all the time.

Alma!

Hey!

Come on. Come on!

Come on, stupid horse!

Come on! Idiot!

Son of a--

Son of a b--

Alma!

What did you just say?

What did you just say?

Huh? W--

We don't talk that way! You hear me?

Did you do any good today?

Mm.

What was your worst part about today?

Working on the farm.

What was your best part of today?

Right now.

Who knows the answer?

Anyone?

Anyone know the answer?

Hmm.

Anyone else?

How about one of you boys?

Alma...

...do you know the answer?

Nothing.

No surprise there.

Ms. Bird, can I talk to you for a moment?

Oh.

Oh, I see.

Do you have something you want to tell me, Alma?

- No, ma'am. - -That's rather strange

because based on your history,

I think you do.

You think because you are so big and dumb,

you can pick on anyone you like and get away with it?

Don't you?

Don't you?

Don't you?

I'm not dumb! And it wasn't me this time.

Stop it!

Stop it!

Well, class,

that will be the last we or anyone

will hear of Alma Richards.

- Hey. - So,

what are you thinking you'll do now, Son?

Ranching?

You know...

...out... under the stars.

Nothing wrong with ranching...

...but we just want to be sure that you're weighing

things out carefully.

You know, us and your grandparents didn't just leave Wales.

We felt we were called.

We want you to find your calling,

to do something meaningful with your life.

You see that?

That's family, Son.

Hardest working, toughest people I ever knew.

I know that, but...

...I think ranching might be my calling.

How much?

Two bits.

That's too much.

Is it?

You see what's going on out that window?

Every drowned rat within 30 miles is looking for a,

a dry place to sleep tonight.

Upstairs.

Uh, pardon me.

There's already some guy in that room.

Mm. How could that be?

Oh, I know,

two to a room.

Yeah, but, but two beds.

Not two beds. Two... to a bed.

No, I want my money back.

Oh, do you?

Pardon me, but... move over.

There's no "over" to go.

You, sir, are enormous.

How old are you?

Sixteen.

What year are you in school?

I don't go to school.

What do you do?

What do you care?

I'm a ranch hand.

And what are your aspirations? Your dreams?

I just wanna be out.

There's lots of this big old world I'm wanting to look on.

You may do as you wish in this life, but...

...to do so, you need an education.

And what great education did you get

that led you to this crowded, lice-filled bed?

Touch�.

I'm a professor at Michigan State University,

traveling to lecture in California,

but stalled by an uncooperative train.

It's too late for me to go back to school.

No.

No, it's never too late to go back to school.

Much as I honor such men...

...you cannot remain a ranch hand.

I have a feeling...

...that you were made for something of wider influence.

School was a wonderful idea, Son,

I see nothing but good coming of this.

Well, maybe this time I can mess up a little less.

- We'll love having you home again.

No, I'm not going back to that school.

I wanna go to the Murdock Academy.

Wonderful.

I've always said I wanna see the world.

Maybe Beaver, Utah, is the place to start.

Now, Son, there's a rough side to that town.

You remember what we taught you about smoking and liquor?

-I know. -And... about staying away

from the wrong kind of girls.

I don't think Alma's ever even talked to a girl.

- I'm just so proud of you, I could burst.

Who knows the answer?

The author? Who knows the answer?

Only Alma.

How is it you know all the answers?

Okay, get a good grip on it this time, and don't spit on it.

Remember, the rest of your teammates have to use it.

You let it fall on your foot, we'll be carrying you around.

And this time, don't throw it towards us.

All right, put some energy into it, give it some oomph.

Oomph. Right?

Oomph! Oomph! Ready?

I'm slipping a little, I just need some tar or something.

Fred, I told you, they won't let you put stuff like that on your hands.

Hey, fellas, who's that?

That's, uh, Almer somebody.

-Is he a new teacher? -He's a new kid.

P-- Pardon? Are, are you Almer?

-No, sir. -Huh. Are you sure?

Yes, sir.

What is your name?

- Alma. - Oh.

Uh-- Pardon me. I'm the track coach.

-Okay. -Yeah. Well, have you ever thought about track?

-Train tracks? -No, uh, uh-- track, it's a new sport here.

I think you'd like it.

So you want me to come and watch your team?

No, I-- I want you to try out.

I have to try out to watch your team?

No, I-- I think you'd be good on the team.

What would I have to do?

Uh, you'd run and jump and, um...

things like that.

Why don't you come out to the field

after school and, uh, we'll give it a try?

Big twerp.

Well, it was worth a try.

Uh, d-- don't let the takeoff foot go past--

All right, uh--

Glory be, diggity dog!

Fred, you're a natural.

Well, you passed the first test.

Oh, what's that?

You showed up.

This is Alma, boys.

Let's start him off with some warm-ups, huh?

Let's start off with a broad jump.

Now, Fred, why don't you show Alma how it's done?

All right, there! Did you see where his heel hit?

That's as far as he goes. You have to beat that mark.

-So I have to try and beat that? -Go past that with your heel, that's right.

No, no, yo-- no, you want, you wanna go back f--

you wanna go back farther--

Oh, you beat him.

Okay, this time, let's do it for real.

Just take a run at it and see how far you can jump.

Your takeoff foot cannot go past this mark right here.

Okay.

Okay, boys! The 100-yard dash,

the meat and potatoes of every track meet.

What have you got within ya? It shows your soul.

Get ready now!

Ready! Set... go!

That's a shot.

Careful, it's dang heavy and,

I mean, the last thing you'd want

is, I mean, to drop on your foot.

You know, there's no track, no-- shot--

You don't throw it. Yo-- you put it.

No, no, not-- not-- put. Uh, you put it. That's the wrong sport.

Put it.

-Put it. From up here? -Yes.

Come on!

Nobody has shown an interest or the ability to throw the discus,

but it's, uh, kind of a twirling motion.

And then, you keep your legs underneath it, so it comes out flat.

No wobble.

Oh, okay, we're gonna--

...we're gonna try her again.

This time, put 90% of the weight back here.

You're back here. Get some lift into it this time

and keep your arm behind you. That'll help you keep it straight.

Flip it out there. Let's go, Alma.

Give it some flick now. Here we go!

Glory be! Diggity dog!

- In second place with 22 points, Salt Lake High.

Congratulations, sir.

Now, last year, Murdock Academy won one point and came in 17th.

- What a difference a year can make.

Congratulations to our state high school champion,

with 32 points, Murdock Academy!

- Thank you. - Congratulations.

There you go, boys.

You didn't just join the track team, son.

-You became it. Well done. -You got a great boy.

First place, nice going.

-Thank you. -But you're still a dumb hick.

Whoa, hey!

- Hey-- - Hey, get off him!

- No fighting! No fighting! - ...hey, hey!

--Okay, okay, okay. I-- that's all I can take.

I thought I'd never tire of that song, but you boys did it to me.

Hey, do you know that we're the first rural high school

to ever win the state track championship?

You mean us?

-That's good! So here's us, little Murdock Academy... -Mm-hmm!

...with 32 points, mostly won by Alma here

-and supported by me... -Mm-hmm.

...and the next school only gets 22.

I don't know much about coaching,

but I really believe you'd get a fair shake

if you transfer to another high school next year

where they can really bring out your potential in track.

Well, thanks for looking out for me, Coach, but...

...I like it here.

And I'll do other sports.

Yeah, like what?

Basketball.

I'll tell you where I think you should be.

Next year, you should be in Provo at BY High.

- Hey, you hear that, Freddie? - -Yeah, that's where I'm going next year too.

Golly!

- Break. - Break. No!

- Okay, for sure this time. - -For sure.

I got it-- Oh.

Hey, Mickey.

Did you finish those drills? All right, good man.

Well, I've been thinking things through. I think what we need to do...

- Right here. - Yeah. Oh.

...get your approach a little steep--

Oh.

Sorry.

Anyway. Uh...

Pass it. Yep, okay. Here we go!

-Oh-- -Oh-ho!

Oh-ho, yeah!

Whoops.

Oh.

I got it.

So sorry.

Hey!

What's your name?

Fred.

Not you. You.

Alma.

Uh.

You got a minute?

Yes, sir.

I'm BYU coach, uh, Timpanogos Roberts.

Uh, I want you to try something.

Hey, Mickey. Uh, set it at, uh...

...six feet.

High jump's not one of my events.

You have events?

I was gonna try out for track next month,

but I've never done high jump.

Well, now's your chance. Jump.

Well, what way?

Uh,

show him, Mickey.

-At six feet? -Why not?

This is a scissor kick.

Well, don't do it like that, but, uh, you get the idea.

Inside leg kicks over, then the outside leg completes the jump.

Well, that's no good.

I'll try it my way.

Dang.

You've never high jumped before.

Only on the farm.

Well, you just jumped two inches under the BYU record!

Well, I'll try harder.

Alma, I would like to extend an official invitation for you

to join the BYU track team.

I don't know.

Wait, wha-- what's the matter?

Well, see, I d-- I don't go to BYU.

Oh. What school are you in?

I'm still in high school.

Dang.

Are you out of your mind, Timp?

Well, very possibly, President.

But I'm, I'm telling you, he's...

...one of the most gifted natural athletes

to come along in years.

- A high schooler? - Yeah.

Have there been any other high school students

allowed to compete at the university level?

- Not that I know of. - Mm.

Then why should we let this fellow in?

Because he's good.

That's not how we make decisions around here.

Bring him in.

He wants to see ya.

Uh, President, I'd like to introduce to you Alma Richards.

Pleasure, son! I, uh, knew you were waiting

and... wanted to meet you, but I'm sorry.

We don't allow high school students to compete athletically

at the university level.

I understand.

Alma, um, what's your father's name?

Morgan.

Morgan Richards.

From Parowan.

Yes, sir.

A good name can open doors.

Welcome, son.

It's no good.

Well, you don't like the barrel roll, uh--

Eh, what's wrong with the scissor?

Yo-- you gotta do either the scissor

-or the barrel roll. -It's not how I jump over things.

Jump over what things?

Fences.

All the great jumpers do

either the scissor or the barrel roll.

-This is what I'm used to. -Sometimes you gotta get over

what you're used to, so you can learn something better.

Or... sometimes you don't.

Let me keep trying.

I'll get better.

- Hey, Alma. - Yeah.

I think when you're making your jump,

you just need a little more... uh, more oomph.

That's what I need.

- Yeah, it's just, uh... - oomph.

Uh, for sure, I need something.

Did Fred just tell you what to do?

-Yeah. -Well, I can't wait to hear it.

He said I need more oomph.

Well, Fred would know.

Well... I don't wanna take anything away

from what Coach Fred tells you, but, uh--

well, try this.

As you're about to clear the bar...

...try... leaning forward, huh?

More over your knees.

-Yeah. -Okay.

- Diggity dog! - Yeah.

- Oomph. - Huh? Huh?

- All right, fellas. Good! - Okay. Okay, remember this.

When you're coming down that road, I want you jumping up, up, chest up.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

...before that elbow goes for the release.

Now, follow through and flick that.

Ready? Here we go.

Yes. All right.

- Well, that'll do for today.

Okay, Coach.

Hey, Richards, you...

...you're good at every event. If, uh, tiddlywinks was

a track and field sport, you'd beat everyone at that too.

But I'll tell you this.

You're best at the high jump.

That's your ticket.

You know what I love about the high jump?

All right, fellas, looking good--

The same as life.

I mean, you, you got an obstacle.

Doesn't do you any good to go under it. Uh...

...can't go around it.

You gotta learn to go over it.

Thanks, Coach.

Coach,

just so you know, I'm great at tiddlywinks too.

-A-- Alma. -Oh, hiya, Coach.

I wanna talk to you. Uh, you-- you're doing good

in your school classes?

-I'm doing swell. -Dang it. That is swell.

Well, here's something I really want you to go after.

The trials for the Olympics are in two months.

- Can you be ready for that? - I don't know.

I'm supposed to help my family get first crop in.

-What do I need to do? -You need to work hard and get ready.

Here's what I need to do.

The trials are in Chicago.

I gotta raise us the money to get us there.

-How much do we need? -Well, I'd say 400.

Shouldn't be hard. There's gotta be plenty of folks around here

that'd love to help you along.

Why would people give money to help me in track?

Because when you put on that jersey,

you represent them. They want you to succeed.

Okay. Well, how about while you do that, I'll go home,

and... I'll talk to my parents about this Olympia idea.

Olympics, uh-- good.

You do that.

You have to go to Chicago?

And if that goes well, all the way to Sweden?

Just to see how high you can jump?

Why don't we just measure you jumping here

and then tell them how high you did?

Doesn't work that way, Mama.

I wish you would just stay here.

Help your father with the farm and then get back to school in the fall.

Mother, it's time.

I'm sorry, Son, I have to go.

Thank you.

Where's she going?

Oh, you know, we've always tried to set aside certain evenings

to visit sick or elderly folks.

She's leaving now to care for Sister Sawyer.

If service is the rent we pay

for our room here on Earth,

your mother's rent has been paid many times over.

You thinking you're going to Chicago?

I don't know.

What do you think?

Father and mother are afraid this trip

is too much about yourself and not about others.

I think this might be my calling.

That's what you said about ranching.

Dang it, I got some bad news, son.

- Me too. - All I've been able

to raise for the trials in Chicago is $150.

That isn't enough.

That means only one of us will be able to go.

Hey, you go ahead, Coach.

I'll stay and help get my dad's hay in.

Why would I go without you? You're the one going.

-By myself? -Well, this is too important to miss.

-What's so important about it? -Oh, this is your chance

to represent the town, the school, uh, and America.

Huh, you-- you do well, and... people all over the country

will have a more favorable view of us all.

Uh, so...

...you really think this is a way I can help other people?

Positively.

Now, what was your bad news?

Nothing, sir.

When do I leave?

- How long does it take to get to Chicago?

Mm, about two days.

-Two days? -Mm-hmm.

Uh, do they stop so you can get to a water closet?

- There are water closets on the train. - -This way.

-Good. -What? You've never been on a train before?

What are you, some kind of hick?

All aboard!

Dang it, Alma, I-- I'm the first to admit,

I... haven't helped you much with the mechanics of jumping, and you...

you like to find your own way of doing things.

But I've tried to help you get that will to win

burning in your belly.

Uh, here's a poem

that's... pushed me along in competitions.

Maybe it'll do something for you too.

Thanks, Coach.

Make us proud.

Remember everything me and coach taught you.

Don't forget the oomph.

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you...

...if you can fill each unforgiving minute

with 60 seconds worth of distance run...

...yours is the Earth and everything that's in it.

And which is more, you'll be a man, my son.

Coach Timp.

PS, do your best and...

...God will handle the rest.

All right. Good, good! That's-- that's what we want.

Practice that over and over again. Come on.

Hey, hey! Do it the way I told you how to do it. Come on!

- Get in there. - There you go. All right. Thank you.

Hey! Josh over here thinks he's better than all of us.

Is it okay if I take a few jumps?

I've been ready to take him.

You here for the trial?

- Have at it. - -That's not what I said, Noah, come on.

Hey, Johnny, you smell like--

Are you a coach?

And you smoke?

Hey, Coach Burns.

Plant that foot. Bring it all the way--

Yeah, there you go...

Can I take a few jumps?

...all right, thank you. That's...

Sure thing. Who are you?

Alma Richards.

- ...all right, let's see here... -You here for the trials?

...that's good, that's good.

Okay. Well, uh, before you get started...

...I need you to run over to that water bucket over there and, uh...

...get us a drink.

Huh?

Maybe later.

- Right. Whatever. - All right, like I was saying...

You make sure that plant foot is nice and sturdy.

Hey.

- Take a sec. - Here goes!

Go ahead.

Watch this, boys.

Oops.

I mean, it is the Windy City, you know?

Well, sometimes you just gotta make do with what you've got.

Whatever that means.

On the board, on the board.

All right.

Hey, hey, wait!

Put back down.

Weirdo's gonna jump.

Hey, I got an idea. Come here.

I got a buck, says he doesn't try it.

-Two. -Two?

How tall are you?

5'10".

Well... doesn't do me any good to go around you.

Not a chance.

In his dreams.

- Watch it! - You crazy, man?

- Holy smokes. - You crazy?

- ...bonkers! - Wacky?

Not bad.

Where'd you learn to jump like that?

Fences.

Hey, Coach.

What's going on over there? - That guy wouldn't wait his turn

and nearly b-- clocked a few of us.

His name's, uh... Richards?

Oh, that guy.

I'll take care of him.

All right, let's go. Next guy.

All right. You were a little short. Little short on the board, so--

Roll call!

-Jimmy Johnson. -Oh.

- Eric Hendershot. - Oh.

- Alan Whitenbraker. - Oh.

-Martin Andersen. -Oh.

- Jason Hansen. - Oh.

- Robert Erickson. - Oh.

- Gary Pierce. - Oh.

- Steve Peterson. - Oh.

- Alfred Hoop. - Oh.

Go stretch her out.

Do you want something?

I should be on that list, but you didn't read my name.

-What's your name? -Alma Richards.

- You-- you're not on the list.

Y-- you gotta be on the list to compete.

Is there a-- a telegraph office close by

-that I can let my coach know about this? -No, no, no, no,

you-- that's not gonna do you any good.

The list is the list.

Hey.

- Were you jumping here yesterday? - -Yes, sir.

How'd you do?

6'2", but I can do better.

Hey, Jimmy.

-Put another jumper down, would you? -He's not on the list.

He's not on the-- just put him on the list!

That kid is as awkward

as any jumper I have ever seen.

You get that right, but he keeps raising the bar.

Have you ever seen anybody jump like that?

He's a freak.

Country boy.

All right, let's go. Next guy.

Fine job, Richards.

What happens now?

Well, we'll wire the results to New York,

and by tomorrow afternoon, we should have our selections made.

-I won. -Yes, you did.

-So, will I be on the team? -Well, there are also trials

going on at Stanford and Harvard.

Why don't you stop by around 5:00 tomorrow? We should know by then.

My office is right there in the athletics building.

- Coach Stagg here. - -Please hold for a long distance call

from BK Downs.

- Coach Stagg. - Yes.

Uh, this is BK, with the selection committee

calling to report our choices.

All right. Go.

For broad jump, we are taking Albert Gutterson,

Harry Worthington, Eugene Mercer,

Jim Thorpe, Frank Irons,

John Ricketts, and Bob Whitman.

Good job.

High jumpers will be Jim Thorpe,

George Horine, Egon Erickson,

Harry Grumpelt, Chuck Bradley, Jimmy Johnson,

and Harold Enright.

-So, that'll give you-- -Oh, h-- hold-- hold on.

Did you say Alma Richards?

No, he was not chosen.

Not chosen?

Uh-- did anybody at Harvard or Stanford jump 6'3"?

-No. -Even close?

Uh, no, but nobody's ever heard of him.

The committee feels like he must be some kind of a hick fluke.

A hick fluke? He won!

Look, he jumped 6'3". I saw it with my own eyes.

That may be. But Coach Burns reported that his jump was not 6'3",

but was only 6'1".

Oh, that son of a--

Bu-- Burns just-- he doesn't wanna make

-his own guys look bad. -Sorry, but that's the way it is, Coach.

You're making a big mistake, BK.

Maybe so, but that's how it's gonna be.

E-- excuse me, can you tell me where Coach Stagg's office is?

End of the hall.

Thank you.

Come in.

Come in, sit down.

Got some bad news for you, Alma.

Despite winning yesterday, you did not make the Olympic team.

The selection committee in New York decided to go with some better known jumpers.

Is that right?

No, it's not right.

I've got people that gave their hard-earned money to get me here,

and I'm letting them down.

You just have to dust yourself off and keep on trying.

I should probably just forget this and find something else to do.

And the way you dust yourself off,

you give it your all at the Olympics next month.

How am I gonna give it my all if I wasn't selected?

Well, there's still a chance.

I got them to put you on the list as a member of the supplemental team.

Now, someone else has to drop out for you to compete, but...

...you're going.

You're going to Sweden.

Glory be! Diggity dog!

- Willy! I'm here. - Oh, Sister Richards!

I've got a telegram here for you from Chicago, Illinois.

Oh, my stars!

Morgan!

Dear, mother, who would've believed I'm on the USS Finland

headed for Sweden with the US team?

- Racing jackrabbits at home was one thing,

but... being with these guys is another.

I haven't got to know them yet, but they're probably good guys.

-Fluke. -Freak.

-Hayseed. -Hick.

And they seem to like my name.

-Hey, Almond. -Almer.

Chump.

Still no word about me getting off the supplemental team

and actually getting to jump.

Going all this way just to watch would be the worst.

I somehow got a case of the pink eye,

but I'm sure it'll soon resolve.

So I got an old hat to keep the sun out of my eye.

A nice man helped me with it.

It's my new lucky hat.

- Coach. - -Coach Stagg from Chicago

is here with us too.

He's part of the US Olympic Committee,

in charge of high jump and broad jump.

He's a good Joe.

Coach Burns is the high jump assistant,

but he seems more interested in his hometown jumpers

than looking out for the USA.

Hey, Almer.

Hey, how you doing, Almer?

Alma.

Oh, boy. There he goes again.

Some people and 12-foot waves do not mix.

No hard feelings.

It's good for you.

When is this trip gonna be over?

Much longer. 'Cause of Titanic.

What's that?

We're taking a route farther to the south

'cause about two months ago, Titanic was sunk by an iceberg

just north of here.

But I'm sure that news hasn't made its way

to hayseed Utah yet.

Or it just got buried in the newspaper

'cause somebody's cow had triplets.

Hey, you know what happens to cows?

They get slaughtered.

Let's go.

There are some things about ocean travel

that will make me very happy to get off this ship.

Thanks for all you taught me and the good name you left me.

Your loving son, Alma.

Coach Stagg.

Max Francis, New York World.

So, uh, who should I be, uh, looking for?

Well, our main jumpers are George Horine.

- Oh, of course. - He's from Stanford. He's a world record holder.

And, uh, that's Jim Thorpe, an amazing athlete from Oklahoma.

He's also competing in the decathlon, but...

...he's one of our best high jumpers.

And then, there's Egon Erickson. He's, uh,

he's with the New York Athletic Club.

Anyone else?

Um...

-...those are our main players. -Huh.

Uh, thank you very much for your time. Appreciate it.

You ready, Coach?

Men! Eyes on Coach Stagg.

This meet consists of 57 athletes

representing 20 countries...

...all vying for one gold medal.

Each of you is representing the United States of America.

Act like it.

This country has been very good to me, and I love it.

Get your sleep.

Do your workouts.

No booze,

no smokes,

no fooling around.

Remember why you're here.

Bold stars.

Beloved stripes.

Brave hearts.

- Cheers for the red! - Hurrah!

- For the white! - Hurrah!

- For the blue! - Hurrah!

- ...I just socked him right in his head.

- Oh, man-- - He didn't see it coming.

No, that is not--

Hey, he was asking for it the whole time...

- You can finish your story later, Jim. - -Yeah, yeah.

Ladies.

Oh! Oh!

Could I help you, ma'am?

I-- I'm sorry, I, I-- I don't know Swedish.

I do not understand.

I-- I have to go.

Watch this, boys.

No good?

Oh, you don't like the ladies, huh?

Not that kind.

Mm, well...

...this will make it easy for you. Hmm?

Come on.

What do you care? I mean, you're not even really on the team,

Mr. Supplemental.

Come on, here.

Come on. Take it.

I tried!

Ah!

Hey.

May I ask you a question?

You... you're different.

-That's not much of a question. -Yeah, but that's what I've been hearing.

Whoa! Hang on there.

What are you doing here?

Meaning what?

Are you jumping for your school, for yourself, for a girl?

What do you care?

I'm a reporter.

Some things you do just 'cause you know it's the right thing to do.

Miss.

Boy, he's different, all right.

-Are they ready? -Yeah, I think so.

Ever seen anything like this in Hickowan?

Don't forget your hick hat.

Well, there it is, on your hick head.

- Don't forget to drink your milk, Almer.

This is it, men. This is what we came

all the way across the sea for.

Now, they're gonna set the bar at 5'8" to start.

Some of you may wanna pass for the later heights,

but those lower jumps can be a nice warm-up

and get you in the habit of clearing the bar before they raise it.

Bradley did not fare well on the ship,

and his sickness has not improved.

He's withdrawn from the competition.

Well, Richards...

...you're in.

You okay with that?

Yes, sir.

Stretch them out.

I heard you made the roster.

Yes, sir.

Congratulations.

How are you feeling about your chances today?

Chances are 100% I'll give it my best.

Any bets?

Well...

...I'd say our hopes rely mostly on Horine.

But, uh... never write off Thorpe.

And either way, that tall German Liesche

could make us all look like beginners.

Hmm.

What's our schedule today?

We have high jump, several races,

and then broad jump.

And what is our deadline for the wire?

Six o'clock.

So, what do you think of that Alma Richards kid?

I agree with you.

How's that?

He's different.

Different good or different bad?

Neither.

Different... very good.

- And now, for an event that had its beginnings

over 50 years ago in Scotland, the high jump.

The greatest in the sport seem to be the closest thing to a man flying.

The bar is raised to 5'8" inches,

and the first jumper is American Jimmy Johnson of Northwestern University.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the first competitor in the high jump,

- Mr. Jimmy Johnson of the United States of America.

No trouble at all for Mr. Johnson.

Next up is Karl-Axel Kullerstrand,

the local favorite from our host country of Sweden.

Next competitor, George Horine.

Mr. Jim Thorpe.

Mr. Egon Erickson.

Next competitor,

Mr. Alma Richards.

And now... Alma Richards

from Parowan, Utah.

Word is two years ago, this boy had never even heard of track and field.

And now, here he is on the world's grandest stage.

Miss.

Tougher than jumping the fences at the farm, huh?

No, thank you.

The sun...

...it blocks the sun.

Next competitor, Hans Liesche of Germany.

Hans Liesche moves on.

And with his second jump, Alma Richards.

Ooh, that was a definite miss.

Strike two.

Maybe next Olympics, goat boy.

All other jumpers have cleared this first hike.

Richards now takes his third and final try.

He's tall and sturdy, with a style unlike those

of the other jumpers. He makes his approach from straight on,

- and instead of throwing one leg over the bar first...

...he brings both feet up together.

He has great spring and would possibly do better

if he could master the style used by the other crack jumpers.

Just take out "crack."

- They now raise the bar to 6'1".

Well, hallelujah, church boy.

It's a freak-jump miracle.

I knew you were a fluke.

Well, it was a fun time, anyways, huh, flapdoodle?

Don't.

Yeah, right.

Despite the effort, it appears that Alma Richards

has reached his limit with his unorthodox style

in a sport where technique is as important as leaping ability.

What's wrong? You've jumped plenty higher.

Alma Richards is again in the position of attempting his third jump.

It's now or never for Alma Richards.

His huge frame makes high jumping an event

for which he's not naturally fitted,

he seems too big to get all of himself up and over the bar.

My goodness! Richards' jump is phenomenal!

Ooh, and Jimmy Johnson is out.

Save it, sober boy.

Truly sorry.

You're a great jumper.

With the bar now at 6'2" inches,

only five high jumpers are left.

Four of them are Americans,

George Horine, Jim Thorpe,

Egon Erickson, and Alma Richards.

They are joined by Hans Liesche,

a German who seems to be striking fear into them all.

At every height, the lanky German has cleared the bar with ease

on his opening try.

No American can say the same.

Hans Liesche.

Wow! Hans Liesche, he has not missed!

Final attempt for Mr. Egon Erickson.

Next competitor, George Horine.

Seemingly the best of the Yanks,

George Horine has only one more chance.

Horine moves on.

Final attempt for Mr. Jim Thorpe.

Jim Thorpe won the decathlon yesterday,

but he'll need to clear this bar

for any hope of getting a medal today.

He's missed twice at this height of 6'2" inches

and now prepares to take what could be his final jump.

- Thorpe is out. The next American going...

...for his third and final try is...

Mr. Alma Richards.

- Hey, everybody gets one. - Hey, yo, you owe me $2.

What'd they say to him?

I don't know. Probably nothing.

Only two Americans have managed to stay in the competition,

George Horine and Alma Richards, and they both squeaked by...

- ...clearing on the third and final tries.

By contrast, Hans Liesche has cleared every height with his first try.

He has not missed!

Richards has the most misses, so he's up first.

Next competitor, Mr. Alma Richards.

Up and over, Alma.

I've been there.

I know what you're going through.

Next competitor, Mr. George Horine.

Next competitor, Mr. Hans Liesche.

At 6'3" inches, Liesche has done it again,

clearing on his first attempt, just as he has at every height.

Mr. Alma Richards.

Richards goes for his second try.

Let him have it, boys.

Let him have it.

It's the end of the line, Almer!

Go on... back to the farm.

I mean, that's what we expected, right,

country boy?

- And that's it for Mr. Goody-goody over there.

- Oh, yeah! - Hey!

Did I just see what I thought I did?

He's your teammate, bullies!

I'd take him over the whole lot of you.

No matter what else Richards is,

he's an American.

That's us!

We're supposed to be the best this country has to offer.

The essence of America is an idea...

...the idea that you can come from humble circumstances

and do great things.

That is Alma Richards.

Do you hear me?

- Do you hear me? - Yes, sir!

Finally see what's going on here.

I apologize for not noticing earlier.

I had my duties over at the broad jump.

Completely wrong.

You know why I can stand up to those guys?

I think it's my parents.

They taught me that--

Well...

...they're the greatest.

You've got wings.

You're not jumping. You're flying.

You show 'em. You show 'em all.

Final attempt for Mr. George Horine.

- Hey, good job. - Thank you.

You can be proud of yourself.

It's the third try for Richards.

If he misses, the gold is Liesche's and goes to Germany.

This could be it for the boy from Parowan, Utah.

There you go.

Great job.

Nice jump, hick in a hat.

I'm trying my hardest.

Coach... put a sock in it.

Ladies and gentlemen. The finalists in the high jump,

Mr. Hans Liesche and Mr. Alma Richards.

And then, there were two.

At 6'4", repetitive jumping now becomes

a contest of stamina as well as strength and style.

Both Liesche and Richards are tall,

but the physical contrast is startling.

The slender German looks like a high jumper,

as opposed to the stocky Richards.

Their jumping styles are also markedly different,

Liesche in his traditional scissors style

and Richards in his-- who knows what style.

Do you want me to type that?

Pardon me.

I would like to request that Mr. Hans go first this time.

Let me check with Mr. Liesche,

and I will get right back with you.

Excuse me. Alma Richards has asked

if you would be prepared to jump first in the final?

No? Okay, I'll let him know. Thank you.

You have more misses.

Therefore, the choice goes to Mr. Liesche,

and he requests you jump first.

At 6'4", Richards goes first.

What you think it's gonna take to get over that bar?

I just need a little more...

...a little more oomph.

What's "oomph"?

I'll show you.

- Almer. Almer-- - No, no. Alma.

Alma! Alma! Alma!

Alma! Alma! Alma!

Alma! Alma!

Oh!

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. Hans Liesche.

Oh!

- For the first time all day, Hans Liesche has missed.

Second attempt for Mr. Alma Richards.

Second attempt for Mr. Hans Liesche.

Oh.

Both jumpers have two misses.

Now each jumper has one more chance at this height.

I just realized something, Coach.

I need something more than oomph.

There's something more than oomph?

- For the red, for the white, for the blue! - -Hurrah!

You're going to Sweden. Just put him on the list.

The high jump is the same as life.

You got an obstacle. You gotta learn to go over it.

...really bring out your potential in track.

You were made for something of wider influence.

Did you do any good today?

We want you to find your calling.

...Alma! Alma! Alma!

Alma! Alma! Alma! Alma!

Alma! Alma! Alma! Alma! Alma...

Final attempt for Mr. Alma Richards.

Fly, my boy. Fly.

You cleared it by two inches.

Well, um--

It's the third try for Liesche.

Good luck.

A make and the bar is raised.

- A miss, and the gold goes to Richards.

Final attempt for Mr. Hans Liesche.

Hans Liesche has missed!

Alma Richards has won the gold!

The young man from Parowan, Utah, has won the gold!

Hearty congratulations.

He won! And rural America

has a new hero!

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!

- And the gold medal goes to Mr. Alma Richards!

- For the red! - Hurrah!

- For the white. - Hurrah!

- For the blue! - Hurrah!

C-- coach, he got the oomph!

Oh, he did it! He dang well did it!

What did I tell you?

Thanks for getting me started, Coach. We did it.

Gold!

Yes! He found it!

He found it.

Good morning. Welcome to class.

Good morning.

- Welcome-- - Teacher, did you hear that

Alma Richards won the Olympics?

He's all over the newspaper. He's famous!