Dave Roberts

Rice’s Dave Roberts placed sixth at the 1970 NCAA and then took the title for the next three years. He won the AAU in 1972 and 1974, and was runner-up in the 1971 Pan American Games. Although he was the AAU champion, Roberts could only place fourth at the 1972 Final Trials. However, after setting a world record of 18-6½ (5.65) in 1975 he defeated a class field at the 1976 Final Trials, taking the world record up to 18-8¼ (5.70).

At the Montréal Olympics, Roberts took a calculated risk by passing at 18-2½ (5.55) and, after the two remaining competitors had failed at that height, Roberts himself missed three times at 18-4½ (5.60) and finished third on the countback. After graduating from Rice in 1974, Dave Roberts enrolled at the University of Florida Medical School, and later practiced as a surgeon.

Personal Best: PV – 18-8¼ (5.70) (1976).