Freddie Wolcott burned up the track in the qualifying heats of the NCAA championships on Jun. 17, 1938. The sophomore sensation from Rice Institute flew over the hurdles adding two more victories to his perfect record.
The Snyder native had never seen much less taken part in a track meet before his senior year of high school. The short-handed cinder coach entered the football and baseball player in three events, and the fleet-footed youth responded with first-place finishes in the 100 and 220-yard dashes and the 220 low hurdles.
Following a freshman detour to Tarleton Junior College, Wolcott transferred to Rice where Emmett Brunson schooled the gifted beginner on the finer points of hurdling. The quick learner beat all comers in his specialties -- the 120 high hurdles and 220 lows -- and led the Owls to the 1938 title in the Southwest Conference.