I spoke by phone tonight with Nick Newton, a masters superstar in his own right, who confirmed the news I’d received in email from several sources — that Kenny Dennis of Las Vegas had died two weeks ago during a knee procedure at a local hospital. Apparently, a heart blockage led to his death during the operation. He was later cremated, I was told. Last October, I wrote about a heart-bypass that he underwent. So this may be related. I searched the Obituary section of the paper and couldn’t find a listing for him. This is such a terrible shock to Kenny’s many friends, including Nick, who said he ran against Kenny for 30 years. I share in their sorrow, since Kenny was always friendly to me. He would have been 71 in May.

Meanwhile, a false rumor has been circulating that Southern California Striders sprinter Doug Smith had died. No, he’s doing well, and will compete in the M65 group this season. Apparently some people got our Doug Smith mixed up with another 68-year-old Doug Smith, an Arcadia High School coaching legend.
I don’t know what Kenny did in college, but here’s a writeup on his incredible California state meet efforts in 1955:

1955 – LOS ANGELES COLISEUM; SATURDAY, MAY 28
As the 37th State Meet began, many fans, coaches, and athletes wondered if the record-setting performances of the previous two years-five National and ten Meet records broken or tied-would continue. Most felt it would. Their confidence was due in part to Centennial’s Charlie Dumas (runnerup in last year’s Meet) who had already topped the National high jump mark three times with a best of 6-8 7/8. The 880 relay team of Jefferson, LA had also created a lot of excitement when they qualified for the Meet with a flashy 1:27.8, only 2/10 off the Meet and National records.
Dick Dailey of Hayward, who defeated Charlie Dumas in the 1954 high jump, was the only returning winner. Other notable returnees were Eddie King of Salinas in the 440 (2nd), Ray Hale of Downey, Modesto in the mile (2nd), and Leonard Havens of Avenal in the 880 (3rd).
Centennial of Compton was the pre-Meet favorite for the team title with Jordan, LA tabbed for second.
STATE MEET RECORDS
The records continued to fall as three National and Meet records were broken. As expected, Charlie Dumas of Centennial broke the listed National record of 6-7 1/8 set in 1938 by Gil LaCava of Beverly Hills by clearing 6-9 3/8. Dailey of Hayward and Torrance of Grant, Sacramento tied for 2nd at 6-5. Dumas’ jump broke his own pending mark of 6-8 7/8 set earlier in the year. Tod White of Newport Harbor won the mile in 4:20.0 to break the old National record of 4:20.4 set in 1954 by Max
Truex of Warsaw, Indiana. Ray Hale of Downey, Modesto finished 2nd once again, this time with a fine 4:21.2. The third National and Meet record went to the 880 relay team of Jefferson, LA as they broke the existing mark of 1:27.6 held jointly by North Des Moines High, Des Moines, Iowa (1948) and Manual Arts, LA (1953) by running 1:27.2. The team of Henry Phillips, Willie White, Harold Brice, and Ed Walter broke the record twice as they also ran 1:27.3 in a heat.
Mile Tod White (Newport Harbor) 4:20.0 (Nat’l)
(old 4:21.0, Seaman, 1953)
High Jump Charlie Dumas (Centennial, Compton) 6-9 3/8 (Nat’l)
(old 6-7 1/8, LaCava, 1938)
880 Relay Jefferson, LA 1:27.2 (Nat’l)
(old 1:27.6, Manual Arts, LA, 1953)
HIGHLIGHTS
The intensity of the competition in this Meet was so great that for the first time since 1939 there was no double winner. Ken Dennis, Centennial’s sprinter, came closest as he won the 100 in 10.0 and finished second in the 220. He also ran on Centennial’s second place 880 relay team.
Four juniors had great days for themselves. Bob Poynter of Pasadena won the 220 in 21.6 and took third in the century. Willie White (Jefferson, LA) finished second in the low hurdles, fourth in the 100, and ran on the record-setting relay team. Rudy Jackson of Richmond was also a double placer as he took second in the 100 and fourth in the 220. Jerry White of Corcoran won the 440 in 48.7, with Eddie King of Salinas 2nd.
Centennial’s hurdling duo of Paul Lowe and Ken Thompson won the hurdles. Thompson won the highs over Goodman (Pierce) in 14.3 and Lowe won the lows in 19.2. Leonard Havens of Avenal won the 880 in 1:57.0.
Charlie Dumas (Centennial) and Tod White (Newport Harbor) were probably the top athletes competing in the Meet as evidenced by their National and Meet record. Dumas achieved Olympic fame in 1956 as he won the Olympic high jump title by clearing 6-11 1/2. He was also the first to surpass the 7-foot barrier, setting a World record of 7-0 1/2 in 1956.
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (Meet scored 5-4-3-2-1)
Centennial of Compton returned the team championship to Southern California by easily ouscoring runnerup Jordan, LA 29 to 20. Centennial had 4 first places. Jefferson, LA was a close third with 19 points, followed by Pasadena with 8, all of which were scored by Bob Poynter.
Centennial, Compton 29 pts. 4-2nd in 880 relay
9-Dennis, 1st in 100, 2nd in 220
5-Thompson, 1st in HH
5-Lowe, 1st in LH
5-Dumas, 1st in HJ
1-Blaylock, 5th in BJ
Jordan, LA 20 1-5th in 880 relay
5-Finney, 1st in PV
5-Baines, 1st in BJ
4-Washington, 2nd in BJ
3-Neal, 3rd in 440
2-Watkins, 4th in BJ
Jefferson, LA 19 5-1st in 880 relay
6-White, 2nd in LH, 4th in 100
3-Walter, 3rd in 220
3-Newman, 3rd in Mile
2-Stansell, 4th in 880