Born July 5, 1915, Connellsville, Pa.

While only a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 1936, "Long" John Woodruff took the track world literally by storm by finishing second at the National AAU meet, then making the Olympic team. Despite his inexperience, he was the favorite in the Olympic 800 and he didn't disappoint by coming from behind to win in 1:52.9.

During a career that was curtailed by World War II, Woodruff won three-straight national collegiate titles and he also took the National AAU 880 in 1937. The American record holder at 800 meters with a 1:48.6 in 1940, Woodruff also held a share of the world 4 x 880-yard record while competing with the national team. He later became a career army officer.