Warm-Ups

One day last June, Mel Patton's secondhand car wouldn't start. He got out to push, and strained a leg muscle. That was the beginning of trouble for the world's fastest human. Last month, after setting a new world record for 100 yds., Patton pulled another muscle. His injury put a damper on U.S. hopes of winning a single flat race in the Olympics.

But last week, Mel Patton showed up at Minneapolis, and after gingerly testing his legs, announced that he would run in two National Collegiate championship events. Without too much strain, he won the 100-meter dash. Then, with a following wind, he stretched his long legs and covered the 200 meters in 28.7 seconds (equaling Jesse Owens' record time around a curve in the 1936 Olympics). Southern California's Patton was now ready for the final Olympic tryouts, and then a trip to London.

Other winners at Minneapolis:

P: Minnesota's Fortune Gordien loafed through his discus-throwing exercises but still managed to win with a throw of 164 feet, 6 1/2 inches. Last year, he did a tremendous 178.47 feet and commented: "That's nothing. I can do better."

P: Michigan's Chuck Fonville, 21, the world's best shotputter, tossed the 16-lb. ball 54 feet, 7 inches to win the N.C.A.A. crown for a second year. His closest competitor: Discus-Thrower Gordien, who shot-puts as a sideline.

P: Baldwin-Wallace College's high hurdling Harrison Dillard won a 110-meter exhibition, his 79th victory in a row.

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