Peter Clentzos

Who was Peter Clentzos?

Peter Clentzos was an American pole vaulter and the son of Greek immigrants who competed for Greece in the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Clentzos was born in Oakland, California. His father, a carpenter, and his mother had emigrated to the United States from Kythera, an island in Greece.

Clentzos attended the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the track and field team. For three years he lettered on the USC team coached by Dean Cromwell and that won NCAA team titles in 1930 and 1931.

He tried out as a pole vaulter for the United States team in the 1932 Olympics, but fell just short of qualifying. His Greek heritage allowed him to vie for one of the 16 spots on Greece's team.

Clentzos' personal best in the pole vault competition was 13 feet, 9 inches. In the event at the 1932 Olympics, however, he cleared only 12 feet 3.5 inches, earning him seventh place.

After graduating from USC, Clentzos taught history and woodworking, which he had learned from his father, at Barstow High School in Barstow, California. He also coached the football and track teams.

During World War II he joined the U.S.