Ralph Mann

Ralph Vernon Mann (born June 16, 1949) is a retired American sprinter and hurdler. He was an undergraduate at Brigham Young University, and later earned a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from Washington State University.

In 1969, Mann won his first NCAA 440 yard hurdles championship with a time of 49.6 seconds. Tying the NCAA and American records, the time was three-tenths of a second off the world record. A year later in Des Moines, Iowa, Mann captured his second NCAA championship and set a new world-record time of 48.8 seconds for the 440 yards hurdles. During his collegiate career Ralph was NCAA champion three times. He was a three-time All-American, and in 1970 was second in the voting for the Sullivan Award.

In 1971, Mann won gold in the 400m hurdles at the Pan-American Games.

He competed in the 400 m hurdles at the 1972 Olympics and won the silver medal. His winning time of 48.4 seconds at the United States Olympic Trials that year was credited as a best mark for the event at sea level (the then world record was 48.1 s set at altitude).

In 1975, Mann won silver at the Pan-American Games. Ralph was also a four-time AAU champion - 1969-71 and 1975.

In 1976, Mann attempted to qualify for the Olympics again but came sixth and therefore outside the top 3 qualifiers. Provided by Wikipedia