1974 MEN'S PRELIMINARY 1
With the success of the The Superstars special in 1973, ABC decided to expand the series for 1974. The field of athletes was increased from ten to 48, and split into four preliminary groups. The top three finishers in each group advanced to the final. The first two preliminary rounds were scheduled for August 13th and 14th, 1973, a week prior to the 1973 British Superstars. The first preliminary round consisted of athletes from track and field, basketball, swimming and motor sports. Defending champion Bob Seagren won four events to easily take the overall event. Basketball players John Havlicek and Jim McMillian each scored consistently to earn the other two spots to qualify for the final. Motocylist Gene Romero became the first Superstar to score zero points.
Darkness caused the last two events to be postponed to August 15th. The Superstars organizers were still attempting to clarify there rules regarding exclusion from specialties. Pole vaulter Bob Seagren was not allowed to enter the 100 yard dash and shot putter Brian Oldfield was barred from weight lifting. In subsequent years, both athletes would be allowed to enter those events.
Rotonda West, Florida
Competition Dates: August 13-15, 1973
Air Date: January, 1974
Announcer: Keith Jackson.
PLC. NAME, SPORT |
TEN |
SWIM |
GOLF |
BOWL |
WL |
BBH |
100 |
HALF |
BIKE |
OC |
TOTAL |
MONEY |
1. Bob Seagren, Pole Vault |
4 |
10 |
x |
x |
10 |
5 1/2 |
x |
10 |
2 |
10 |
51 1/2 |
$15,150 |
2. John Havlicek, Basketball |
2 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
x |
10 |
1 |
4 |
x |
x |
35 |
$8,500 |
3. Jim McMillian, Basketball |
10 |
x |
x |
4 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
x |
7 |
2 |
32 |
$5,700 |
4. Brian Oldfield, Shot Put |
x |
4 |
1 |
10 |
x |
0 |
10 |
x |
0 |
4 |
29 |
$2,900 |
5. Billy Cunningham, Basketball |
7 |
7 |
2 |
5 1/2 |
4 |
1 |
x |
x |
26 1/2 |
$2,650 |
||
6. Lee Evans, 400 Meters |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
x |
x |
10 |
7 |
23 |
$2,300 |
||
7. Nate Archibald, Basketball |
0 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
16 |
$1,600 |
||||||
8. Don Schollander, Swimming |
1 |
x |
10 |
0 |
1 1/2 |
2 |
14 1/2 |
$1,450 |
||||
9. Jim Ryun, 800/1500 Meters |
2 |
2 |
x |
4 |
1 |
9 |
$1,000 |
|||||
10. Mike Burton, Swimming |
x |
1 1/2 |
1 |
2 1/2 |
$1,000 |
|||||||
11. Bill Muncey, Unlimited Hydroplane Racing |
0 |
1 |
1 |
$1,000 |
||||||||
12. Gene Romero, Motorcyling |
0 |
0 |
$1,000 |
INDIVIDUAL EVENT RESULTS
TENNIS
1. Jim McMillian |
10 |
2. Billy Cunningham |
7 |
3. Bob Seagren |
4 |
4. John Havlicek |
2 |
5. Don Schollander |
1 |
Bill Muncey |
N/A |
Havlicek def. Muncey |
6-0 |
McMillian def. Havlicek |
6-4 |
SWIMMING - 100 Meters
1. Bob Seagren |
1:18.63 |
2. John Havlicek |
N/A |
3. Brian Oldfield |
N/A |
4. Jim Ryun |
N/A |
5. Bill Muncey |
N/A |
GOLF - 9 holes
1. Don Schollander |
60 |
2. Billy Cunningham |
62 |
3. John Havlicek |
N/A |
4. Jim Ryun |
N/A |
5. Brian Oldfield |
67 |
6. Nate Archibald |
86 |
7. Lee Evans |
91 |
BOWLING
1. Brian Oldfield |
185 r |
2. John Havlicek |
N/A |
3. Jim McMillian |
N/A |
4. Billy Cunningham |
N/A |
5. Lee Evans |
N/A |
Don Schollander |
76 |
WEIGHT LIFTING
1. Bob Seagren |
210 r |
2. Jim McMillian |
205 |
3. Lee Evans |
200 |
4. Mike Burton |
N/A |
4. Don Schollander |
N/A |
BASEBALL HIT
1. John Havlicek |
9 r |
2. Billy Cunningham |
N/A |
2. Bob Seagren |
N/A |
4. Nate Archibald |
N/A |
5. Lee Evans |
N/A |
Brian Oldfield |
N/A |
Jim McMillian |
N/A |
100 YARD DASH
1. Brian Oldfield |
10.72 r |
2. Nate Archibald |
N/A |
3. Billy Cunningham |
N/A |
4. Jim McMillian |
N/A |
5. John Havlicek |
N/A |
HALF MILE RUN
1. Bob Seagren |
2:18.11 r |
2. Nate Archibald |
N/A |
3. John Havlicek |
N/A |
4. Don Schollander |
N/A |
5. Billy Cunningham |
N/A |
BIKE RACE - one mile
1. Lee Evans |
N/A r |
2. Jim McMillian |
2:39.06 |
3. Jim Ryun |
2:39.28 |
4. Bob Seagren |
N/A |
5. Mike Burton |
N/A |
OBSTACLE COURSE
1. Bob Seagren |
24.07 r |
2. Lee Evans |
24.28 |
3. Brian Oldfield |
N/A |
4. Jim McMillian |
N/A |
5. Jim Ryun |
N/A |
e = estimated time
r = Superstars record
N/A = result not available
dnf - did not finish
nm - no mark