Patterson Field, Los Angeles, CA, March 22, 1930
In Southern California, under the palm trees, track and field traditionally gets underway as early as March, or sometimes even February. Bob van Osdel, a dental student at the University of Southern California (USC), leaped over the bar at 2.013 (6-7¼) in a local Los Angeles meet. The mark stood as the world-leading result until the end of the season and secured him third place on the all-time list. He was only a couple of centimeters shy of Harold Osborn's world record.
Van Osdel maintained his excellent form through the end of the season, sharing second place at the NCAA Championships. At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, the comrade-spirited son of Dutch immigrants gave technical tips to his clubmate, Duncan McNaughton, who went on to win the event thanks to the advice. Van Osdel took the silver medal.