Representing the USC Trojans, he was the runner-up in the 110-yard hurdles at the Pacific Coast Conference and NCAA Outdoor Championships in 1949.

A win in Amsterdam on August 14, 1949 marked the beginning of an undefeated streak of 55 races in the hurdles, which lasted until July 3, 1951.

At the inaugural edition of the competition he defeated the host nation's top hurdler, Estanislao Kocourek, to lift the first ever Pan American 110 m hurdles title for the United States.

He won his first race in Milan, but failed to finish in his following date in Bern, bringing his undefeated streak to an end after almost two years.

In spite of this, he won all the rest of his hurdles races on his tour of France, West Germany, Switzerland and Austria.