Larry Almond

Independence (Official) 2011

Larry Almond lived his youth in Oskaloosa, IA and graduated from William Penn University with a major in PE and Industrial Education in 1963.  His career has been teaching and coaching High School classes in Colorado, New Mexico and of course the majority of his time in Iowa.  Larry’s area of expertise was coaching Shot and Discuss for over 30 years.  He has coached 25 State Qualifiers, eight qualified twice and two qualified all four years of HS.  During his 29 years at Independence he was able to coach 20 WAMAC Championship teams, two State Champions and three Drake Relay award winners.  Larry began his officiating Track and Field career in the 1970’s and is currently USATF Certified Master Level in Throws.  For the past ten years he has officiated at the Drake Relays and the State High School Boys and Girls Meets as well as officiating many local HS Meets, Division I and Division III College meets.

He has been honored with the following awards:
1968 – Football team went 12-0 and won the state title in New Mexico.
1968 – Football Coach of the for the state of New Mexico.
2001 – Inducted into the Independence High Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.
2006 – Iowa-USATF Official of the Year
2008 – IATO Field Event Official of the Year
2009 – Inducted into the William Penn University Athletic Hall of Fame.
2010 – The University of Iowa Track and Field Appreciation Award

Marv Allen – 2023 IATO Inductee

Marvin Allen Jr., a lifelong resident of the Des Moines area, is a fine example of dedication and commitment. 

He has been married to his wife Mary for 40 years. 

He retired after a 36-year working career with John Deere as a team leader in the Experimental Shop.

He retired as a Master Sergeant after 20 years in the US Army Reserve.

He is approaching 35 years as a Track and Field Official and a 20-year member of the IATO, primarily serving as a starter.

Marv ran track at Washington Irving Junior High and Tech High School in Des Moines and Peru State in Nebraska.  He held the Tech 440 yard dash record for several years and competed in 2 AAU National Championships.  

He received his BA from Drake University.

Marv has always had a great love for the sport.  He got involved with officiating at the 1990 Drake Relays and is USATF National Level Certified.

Although he is still active as a high school and college official, his main interest and involvement in track and field lies with the AAU as the Executive Committees Budget Director.  He also serves on the Junior Olympics Jury of Appeals, is the primary Championship meet starter and the Region 14 AAU Track and Field and Cross Country Meet Director.

When asked what is a key part of his involvement in track and field today, Marv replied: 

“My role is working with youth…….trying to be instrumental in helping to make a positive change/and challenge them to achieve high standards on and off the track.”

Marv and Mary had 3 sons, Jason, Michael and Richie and have been blessed with 7 grandchildren.

Curt Anderson

Paullina (Official) 2015

Since his retirement from South O’Brien high school in 2005, Curt Anderson has become an avid golfer and fisherman, but still has a real passion for high school athletics and officiating.
Curt graduated from Postville high school in 1967 then went on to earn a degree in history at Iowa State and his Masters degree in Educational Administration at the University of South Dakota.  His first teaching and coaching jobs were at Glidden-Ralston, followed by Paullina then South O’Brien, where he spent 15 years as a teacher, Activities Director and Assistant Principal.
During his career Curt coached basketball, softball, track, volleyball, football and baseball.  He has been a registered official for over 35 years and a track official since 1975.  Curt has been an active member of the IATO since 2000 and has been chosen as both a state and national Boys track and field official of the year.  Curt has been a member of the state track meet crew since 1997 both as an Umpire and a Starter.  As a certified USATF official, Curt has worked several NCAA and major conference meets.
Curt and his wife Claudia have 3 children.

David Anderson

Renwick & IHSAA 2002/(Official) 2013

Inducted into the IATC Hall of Fame in 2002. Dave was born in Fort Dodge on April 2, 1951. He was raised in Renwick. He attended Boone Valley High School. Dave enjoyed a very successful but short high school career in Track and Field. He was a member of the runner-up team in the medley relay in both the indoor and outdoor state meets his junior year. During his senior year he placed ninth in the state cross country meet. His track season began with much promise with a fourth place finish in the 440 at the state indoor meet, only to be diagnosed with mononucleosis after a good showing at the Holstein Relays. David enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa and became a member of the Panther track and field team. He won four varsity letters and served as the co-captain his senior year. During his time at UNI, Dave ran on the 4 X 400 meter relay team that placed third in the NCAA College Division Championships. This earned Dave the distinction of being an All-American. During his time at UNI, he served as President of the Lettermen’s Club, won the first Charles Pinkham award and was a recipient of the A.D. Dickinson Memorial Scholarship. He began his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at UNI. While at UNI, Dave helped coach his former teammate Dennis Schultz to become the NCAA College Division Champion in the mile run. Dave began his high school coaching career at Sac City coaching cross country and track and field. His very first cross country team finished fifth and he had the individual third place finisher. His 1976 track and field team finished ninth with the Individual Mile Run Champion and the Medley Relay Champions. Dave’s outstanding distance runner Greg Glass finished as the Drake Relays runner-up in the 1600. Dave left teaching and coaching to enter private business. His interest then turned to officiating. Dave served as a starter for both the Iowa Girls Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association state meets. He also started the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Indoor meet. Dave has served as the referee for the Missouri Valley Indoor and Mid-Continental Indoor Meets. He has served many years as a clerk for the Drake relays and now is the Finish Lynx Operator for the Drake Relays. He has been named to the Drake relays Executive Committee. Dave joined the staff of the IHSAA in the summer of 1989 serving as the Substance Abuse Coordinator. He spearheaded an effort that brought the drug education program of the IHSAA to national prominence. He has now become an Admistrative Assistant with responsibilities for cross country and track and field. He has served as a member of the Track and Field Advisory committee and was instrumental in establishing the joint Cross Country Advisory Committee. Dave has served as the statewide track and field rules interpreter and has also presented at the National Federation Track and Field Interpreters meeting. Dave and his wife Sandi are the proud parents on one daughter Kristin.
Official – 2013
Dave Anderson has been a friend and supporter of high school track and field in about as many different ways as possible.  He was an outstanding high school and college athlete who went on to be a high school coach who went on to be a certified track and field and cross country official who went on to become a member of the IHSAA Board of Control, who went on to work for the IHSAA for 25 years who went on to serve on three National Federation Committees concerning Track and Field and Cross Country.  Dave was a member of the UNI Panther track and field team.  He was four year letter winner and co-captain his senior year.  He was a member of the UNI 4 X 400 relay team that finished third in the NCAA College Division Championships earning All American honors.  Prior to joining the Athletic Association staff he was a high school teacher and cross country and track and field coach. Dave was a state tournament official in track and field, cross country, football and softball; he started numerous IHSAA and IGHSAU district and regional meets.  In 1989 he was a starter for the boys state track and field meet. He is a member of the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame and the Iowa High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame. He has previously been recognized by the IATO for distinguished service.  Dave has been a Drake Relays official for over 25 years and is a registered USA Track and Field Official with a national designation in six different areas.
Prior to joining the IHSAA staff, Dave represented the Iowa Association of School Boards on the IHSAA Board of Control.  Dave is the IHSAA administrator for Cross Country, Track and Field and Bowling.  He has been instrumental in working with the Girls Union and developing co-ed state championships in each of these sports.  Under his leadership Iowa became the first state in the nation to include wheelchair competitors in track and field and cross country.  Nationally, Dave has served on three National Federation Committees, including the TARGET Committee, the Soccer Rules Committee and the Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Committee.  He served as the chairperson of the Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Committee from 2007-2011.  He is currently serving on an Ad Hoc NFHS committee that is redesigning the NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country Officials Manual.  He has received the NFHS Outstanding Service Award and the NFHS Citation for positively impacting educationally based programs.

Deb Anderson

Gilbert 2008 (Official) 2014

If there were one word to describe our inductee, it would be DEDICATION.
Deb Larson Anderson graduated from South Hamilton High School in the spring of 1969 and from UNI in 1973.
In the fall of 1973 she began her 34 year teaching and coaching career in the Gilbert school district.
Deb taught PE at all levels at Gilbert as well as coaching cheerleading, JH girl’s basketball, varsity girl’s basketball, and track and field and cross country.
It was in coaching track and field and cross country where Deb Anderson excelled.
Deb coached JH girl’s track and field for 34 years.  She started the high school cross country program in 1976 and led them to success for 26 years.

Despite the fact that Deb is a very humble person there are many awards and accolades that have come her way, and she needs to be recognized for those.
The Anderson coached girls cross country teams qualified for state 14 times with 1 state title and 2 runner-up trophies to their credit.   Fellow Hall of Fame member Sydney Pounds Leach won 2 state titles under Anderson’s tutelage.
The boys made it to state 15 times and finished 2nd twice.
In her last 21 years serving as Gilbert’s boys and girls cross country coach, there was only 1 season that Gilbert was not represented at the state meet.
Deb has never missed a cross country meet or JH track meet that Gilbert has participated in, even AFTER retiring.  In 1998, 2001 and 2008 she was a National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year finalist.

She has been a IATC girls cross country state coach of the year once, and 11 times has been chosen by her peers as a regional cross country coach of the year.

Her JH Girls track teams won over 120 meets, with 6 undefeated seasons, 10 conference championships, 1 state meet title and 1 state pentathlon title.
In 2007 her IATC peers recognized her as JH Track Coach of the Year.
It is not only coaching that has kept Deb busy all of her adult life.  She is very active in her church, singing in the choir, making quilts and teaching Sunday school.   She has also played a key role in the success of the IATC; working at IATC sponsored events, being a regional rep and chairing the JH Coach of the Year committee the past 10 years.
Since retiring from teaching and coaching Deb has become a registered track and field official, keeping busy working meets at Iowa State and Drake; working at the Relays plus the state meet and NCAA championships.

Official:

Deb Larson Anderson graduated from South Hamilton High School in the spring of 1969 and from UNI in 1973.  If there were one word to describe this IATO Hall of Fame inductee, it would be DEDICATION.  In the fall of 1973 she began her 34 year teaching and coaching career in the Gilbert school district.  Deb taught PE at all levels at Gilbert as well as coaching cheerleading, JH girl’s basketball, varsity girls basketball, and track and field and cross country.  Track and field and cross country have been very important in Deb Anderson’s life.  First as an athlete, then as a coach and now as an official.

Deb coached JH girl’s track and field for 34 years.  She started the high school cross country program in 1976 and led them to success for 26 years.  The Anderson coached girls cross country teams qualified for state 14 times with 1 state title and 2 runner-up trophies to their credit.   Fellow Hall of Fame member Sydney Pounds Leach won 2 state titles under Anderson’s tutelage.  The boys made it to state 15 times and finished 2nd twice.  In her last 21 years serving as Gilbert’s boys and girls cross country coach, there was only 1 season that Gilbert was not represented at the state meet.
Deb has never missed a cross country meet or JH track meet that Gilbert has participated in, even AFTER retiring.  In 1998, 2001 and 2008 she was a National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year finalist.  She has been IATC girls cross country state coach of the year once, and 11 times has been chosen by her peers as a regional cross country coach of the year.  In 2007 her IATC peers recognized her as JH Track Coach of the Year.  She has also played a key role in the success of the IATC; working at IATC sponsored events, being a regional rep and chairing the JH Coach of the Year committee for over 10 years.

Dennis Anderson

Bloomfield (Official) 2010

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Following graduation from Aurelia HS he went off to college in Nebraska at Wayne State College where he excelled and earned a degree in Physical Education.  This is our good friend:   Dennis Anderson
He came back across the border and became the only PE teacher at Sutherland Community Schools in Sutherland Iowa.  Dennis served in the US Army and then  returned to start his serious career of teaching in 1959 in the Fonda Community School District and then moved to Twin Rivers CSD in Bode, Iowa.    In 1968 for he moved his family the Davis County Schools in Bloomfield.  There he was appointed to be their elementary PE teacher and Varsity Coach.   Davis County Schools kept him at that position for 22 years and was given duties of Athletic Directorship for another 8 years.  In 2000 he retired from school duties, but they called him back to be the Junior High Track Coach and have been doing that ever since that appointment.  He earned a numerous awards from the IATC:  Regional Coach of the year in 79, 80, and 92 and was named State 3A Coach of the Year in 1980.  Denny coached 22 State Champions between the years of 1979-1992.  With his retirement from teaching and coaching varsity level competition he wanted to stay close to his friends in T & F and became very active with Iowa Association of Track Officials where he was awarded the SE Running Official of the Year in 2000.  He has been an umpire and official at the college level with the Missouri Valley, Big 12 and Drake Relays.  His recognized corner at the Boys and Girls State High School Meets since 2000 is on the third curve.  During the last seven years he has been the Zone Chief at the State Boys and Girls High School Meets.  To continue with his accomplishments, he is the SE Director of Iowa Track Officials Association, been named the Centerville Big Red Relays Horary Referee in 1993, has two major meet relays named: The Dennis Anderson Relays, plus with every Davis County Track Meet, he is the announcer of that evening.

Lyle D. “Andy” Anderson

Waterloo 1978

Mike Augustine

East Des Moines 1973

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Born in Adair County, the son of a blacksmith and attended Orient High School and continuing at Grinnell College. He competed in track, throwing the discus and shot and running sprints and middle distance events. A story that Augustine ran six miles daily from his farm home to Orient School became a legend in Adair County. Mike died in 1964 at the age of 70. His Des Moines East Teams won nine state track titles, five state cross-country championships. State Cross Country Championships 1937, ’41, ’42, ’43, ’49 Runners-up – 1934, ’44, ’45, ’50, ’53 T&F Championships – 1928, ’36, ’38, ’39, ’40, ’43, ’44, ’50, ’51 STATE Runners-up – 1937, ’42, ’47, ’48, ’49, ’53, ’54

John Ask

Marion 1977

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John was Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School’s first track and field coach. He began the program in 1957 and retired from head coaching position following the 1974 season completing 17 very successful years including a state championship in 1962.  For twenty years the Cedar Rapids Jerfferson Track & Field Relays from its inception in 1959 through 1978 was known as the “J-Hawk Relays”.  It was renamed in 1979 in honor of Jefferson’s first head boy’s track coach, John Ask, who died March 11, 1978, after a short illness.
His Jefferson team won the state championship in 1962 and his 1959 and 1967 teams both gained state runner-up honors.  In 1958 his fall track mile team won the state title.
Coach Ask was named honorary referee of the 60th Annual Drake Relays in 1969.

Francis “Bab” Babcock

New Hampton 1985

Born in New Hampton, Iowa in 1918. Bab graduated from New Hampton High School as Valedictorian of his class and received an academic scholarship to Univ. of Northern Iowa. He has held coaching positions at Hudson, Eagle Grove, Postville, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and is presently at Mound, Minnesota. Life time record in football – 67 – 29 – 2. Lifetime record in Basket ball – 58 – 29. When asked about Track accomplishments, Bab stated that his best years were at Cedar Falls where he won 81 of 84 meets with 5 or less teams involved. Other Track Accomplishments: 1. 7 conference indoor and outdoor championships at Cedar Falls. 2. Teams place 1st, 2nd, 3rd in Iowa State Championships in Cross Country and mile team race. 3. Most outstanding individuals he has coached have been Jack Schulte at Postville; Clayton Thomas at Cedar Falls; Lynn Nelson of Mound, Minnesota. 4. He has served on the state advisory committee for girls Cross Country in Minnesota; has served as coach for the alumni at the Univ. of Northern Iowa Alumni game; and has been honorary referee at the Dickinson Relays.

Randy Baker *2019 Inductee

Spending 35 years on the job  would be enough for most people to “call it a career” when the opportunity to retire came calling.

But that isn’t how it worked for Randy Baker.

After graduating from Manning High School in 1974  and the University of Northern Iowa in ‘78, Randy started and finished his teaching and coaching career at East Marshall High School in LeGrand.

Baker spent some of his 35 years coaching Volleyball, Cross Country, Football and Basketball, but he always coached Track and Field.  He spent over 20 years in the classroom teaching high school and middle school math.  His last 13 years at East Marshall were spent as the districts Technology Director.

Randy became a registered track official while a student at UNI and found himself more and more involved in officiating as the years went on.  He felt it was important to understand and know the rules if he wanted to continue improving as a coach.

When the first track was built in LeGrand in 1988, Randy became very involved in meet management from initial meet set up to the operation of the FAT system.  This is something Randy still takes pride in doing, in addition to driving East Marshall track teams to meets.

In 2010, IATO Hall of Fame member, Al Neumann encouraged Randy to get more involved in Track and Field officiating.  Not being one to stand on the sidelines, when given the opportunity, Randy did just that.

He regularly works meets at UNI, Iowa State, the University of Iowa, Drake Relays, the American Rivers Conference and the Iowa High School state meet.

Randy and Kathy, his  bride of 40 years live in Legrand and have 2 sons, Christopher and Nathen and 3 grandchildren.

Jerry Becker

Eagle Grove 2001

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Jerry Becker, was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from LeMars High School in 1954. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, and track. He earned All-Conference honors in football and track. He qualified for the State rack meet in four events. After graduation Jerry attended Westmar College on a track and football scholarship. He was an all-Conference performer in football for two years. He earned three letters in football and four letters in track. Jerry graduated from Westmar in 1959 with a degree in History. He later earned a Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado.
Jerry started his career at Colo, Iowa and then Sutherland, Iowa. He has spent the last 29 years at Eagle Grove High School in Eagle Grove, Iowa. During his 43 year career, Jerry has coached football, baseball, track and cross country. His career record during his 8 years as football coach was 81-66-1.
Jerry’s teams won several conference titles. He had one undefeated season and won a State Championship (Mythical) at Sutherland. Jerry also coached one High School All-American at Sutherland. He spent five years as a head baseball coach and won two conference titles while at Sutherland High School.
Jerry’s accomplishments as a track and cross country coach are magnificent. He has had numerous conference and district championship teams. His cross country teams have qualified for the state meet 20 out of the last 21 years with an average finish of th place. He has two State Championship teams in 1984 and 1987.  In addition his teams were the state runners up in 1985 and 1994.  His teams have won 10 North Central Conference titles. In track, Jerry’s teams were also very successful. He has won nine North Central Conference titles. He has coached several individual and relay teams that have won state championships.
Jerry has been honored by several groups for his career achievements. These include being named Regional Coach of the Year eight times and State Coach of the Year twice by the IATC, Regional National Coach of the Year in Cross Country in 2001 by the National High School Coaches Association, and the Westmar Alumni Coach of Year for Football in 1964 and for Track in 1985.  Jerry has given of his time in other areas as well. He has been a member of his church’s choir for over forty years. Jerry coached a Cross Country team that competed in China. He was selected as the Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the year. He also served as a delegate to the county caucus for four years. Jerry has also served as a starter for track and cross country, an umpire in baseball and softball and a referee in basketball. He also served as the athletic director for several years as well.

Sara (Beckord) Swails

Rolfe (Athlete) 1991

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Sara grew up with four brothers on a poultry farm near Rolfe. She was introduced to running at an early age when she and her brothers set sawhorses around the chicken house and practiced running at night as a means of recreation. The fact that Rolfe did not have a a track did not stop her. She practiced on a one mile grass oval in the center of the golf course that was formerly a horse and buggy racing site. Using the resources available Sara had an outstanding high school career during the middle 1960’s. Cross Country State Champion – 1967 Track & Fiels State Champion at 400 meters – 1968 State Indoor Championship Team – Rolfe 1967 State Outdoor Championship Team – Rolfe 1967 Placed in twelve State Championship Events during High School Iowa’s All-Time Leaders List – 400 meters – 55.2 800 meters – 2:11.2 200 meters – 24.5 5th place at the 1968 800 meters Olympic Trials – 2:11.3 6th place at the 1968 800 meters National AAU Championships Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame – 1976 Sara attended the University of Iowa and graduated before Title IX was in effect, therefore she was unable to compete at the college level. She did not let that stop her love for the sport of Track & Field. She became the Track & Field and Cross country Coach at Iowa City West High School. She coached the Boy’s Cross Country Team two Mississippi Valley conference and one State Title in 1988. IATC 3A Boys Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year – 1987 IATC 3A Boys State Cross Country Coach of the Year – 1988 The first woman in Iowa to coach a boy’s team to a state championship in any sport. Mississippi Valley Conference Cross country Coach of the Year – 1988 & 1989

Tim Bell *2019 Inductee

As a standout athlete at Marshalltown High School and the son of a very successful Marshalltown coach, it seemed only natural that Tim Bell would come home after college and create his own legacy with the Bobcats.

Tim was an outstanding pole vaulter and basketball player in high school and earned a full ride scholarship to play college basketball at Northwest Missouri State.

It was coaching Marshalltown Boys Cross Country where Tim Bell really left his mark.

The Bobcats had qualifiers to the state cross country meet 27 times out of Bell’s 32 years at the helm;  25 those came as a team including a fine run of 18 seasons in a row.

Tim was selected as the state Coach of the Year in 1998.  He was a regional or conference Coach of the Year on 26 different occasions.   Three of his squads finished as the state runner-up, ten teams finished in the top 5, and 3 times Marshalltown had the individual champion.

His teams won 10 conference meet titles, 11 state qualifying meet titles and an astounding 107 varsity invitational meet championships.

Tim said Marshalltown Cross Country was truly a running family and that his wife Dee-anna was the driving force behind it.

During Coach Bell’s tenure they averaged nearly 50 team members per season.

Tim spent 35 years in the Marshalltown school district and along with teaching and coaching many sports, he also served as the schools Athletic Director and Assistant Principal.  He was once selected as the states Assistant Principal of the Year.

Tim is also a Hall of Famer as a Boys Basketball and Football official, a Girls Basketball official and is a member of the Marshalltown Athletic Hall of Fame.

While an active member of the IATO, Tim was chosen by his peers as the 2014 State Cross Country Starter of the Year.

Tim and Dee-anna, his wife of 41 years, still reside in Marshalltown and are the proud parents of 3 children, Ryan, Michael and Carrie; plus grandparents of Liam, Kennedy, Nile, Brooklyn and Hazel

Bill Bergan

Volga City & Iowa State University 1984

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Track coach at Iowa State University. Has contributed countless hours to track and field and to college and high school athletics in Iowa. Clinic Director for the Championship Productions Iowa Track Coacches Clinic held annually in Ames. Bill Bergan, a Cedar Falls, IA native, came to Iowa State University as head cross country and assistant track coach in 1971 and became head track coach in 1976. Bergan’s teams won 10 Big Eight Cross Country team titles and claimed the 1989 and 1994 NCAA Cross Country National Championships. Bergan’s ISU track teams captured 15 conference titles, including 10 of the last 15 Big Eight outdoor track crowns. Iowa State was second at the 1990 and 1991 NCAA meets and third in 1993. The list of athletes who excelled under Bergan include16 Olympians from six different nations. Bergan’s student athletes achieved All-America honors 110 times and captured 163 Big Eight Conference individual titles.
Bergan, a graduate of Northern Iowa, where he lettered in track and cross country, first coached six seasons at Waterloo Columbus High School. A former NCAA cross country and track and field coach of the year, he earned district coach-of-the-year honors 19 times. Bergan is a member of the ISU Cardinal Key organization, recognizing outstanding leadership, character, scholarship and service to ISU. The Drake Relays Hall of Fame member was named to the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984, the University of Northern Iowa Hall of Fame (for his athletic accomplishments) in 1997, the ISU Hall of Fame in 2001 and the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame in 2006. Bill is the President/CEO and founder of Championship Productions, Inc., an Ames-based company founded by Bergan in 1976 that has grown to become one of the leading producers and distributors of coaching and athlete instructional videos and DVDs in the world. Championship Productions has worked closely with the IATC, of which Bill was a founding member, to bring forth one of the leading Track & Field/Cross Country coaches clinics in the nation in Ames, IA. For the past several years, Bill has been the volunteer Track & Field director for the Iowa Special Olympics and has also volunteered his time to be the Track & Field Director for the first-ever National Special Olympics Games in the summer of 2006.
Bergan resides in Ames with his wife Karen. They raised four children; three of them are married, and also have (as of 2006) four grandchildren. Bill and Karen are also known as the “parents” of Marc Kitchen, a long-time Bergan family friend and former Special Olympian. With Marc Kitchen, the Bergans were named the Outstanding Family of the Year at the 2001 Iowa Special Olympics.

Burl Berry

Iowa State University 1975

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Track and Field athlete UNI(Iowa State Teachers College 1928-32) Named the UNI Mascot. On September 18, 1931, the College Eye announced that Paul Bender, acting head of the Department of Physical Education for Men; George Holmes, professor of journalism; Robert Burley, president of the Student Council. Burl Berry, a center on the football team and later its most valuable player, submitted the winning entry: the Iowa State Teachers College athletics teams would be known as the Purple Panthers.

Harold Birney

DeWitt 1976

Harold Birney was a 1932 graduate of DeWitt High School. As a student he was an excellent athlete excelling in football, basketball, and track. Mr. Birney returned to DeWitt High School in 1946 and began a 32 year career as teacher, coach, and the district’s first athletic director. Harold coached Football and Track for the DeWitt D-Hawks. Mr. Birney was the Head Football Coach for 20 years from 1946 until 1966. He directed several good football teams, including an undefeated squad in 1956. Harold stayed with Track even longer, he coached track from 1946 until 1976. His track teams excelled. Track teams under his guidance earned OUTDOOR State Championships in 1951, 53, and 57 as well as Indoor State Championships in 1953, and 57. Four other times his teams were OUTDOOR State Runner-Ups. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, 1977 Track Coach of the Year by the Iowa Track Coaches Association, and is a member of the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Mr. Birney had also been an honorary Drake Relays judge. Harold Birney left such a lasting impression on the Central Community School District the Football Field was re-named in his honor.

Walter Block

Wellsburg 1986

Born in Dubuque, Iowa. Graduated from Waverly High School in 1943 where he was a letter winner in football and baseball. After a hitch in the U.S. Navy, Walter attended and graduated from Wartburg College and obtained his master’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan in 1964. He coached for 6 years at Auburn, Iowa, and at the time of his induction, he had coached 31 years at Wellsburg, Iowa. At these two schools Walt accumulated impressive statistics in all sports. Football (26 years) 84 wins – 124 losses – 9 ties Basketball (12 years) 154 wins – 88 losses Baseball (6 years) 116 wins – 15 losses Track ( 24 years) – His teams have won 47 multiple team meets, he has coached 6 state individual champions, his team placed runner-up at the state meet in Class C, and from 1964 through 1986 he has coached many individual and relay teams to district championships and state participation. Walt twice has been selected as regional coach of the year and has served on the Upper Iowa University coaching clinic staff. His wife, Norma, has been very supportive and to these two fine people were born 2 sons and 1 daughter which has given them 7 grandchildren. Truly a dedicated individual who has been coaching for 37 years Walt states: “the pay isn’t too high, but working with the young people is terrific.”

Bill Bolen

Montezuma (Official) 2007

Bill Bolen , a native of Montezuma, Iowa, Bill graduated from high school in 1954 where he played in 4 sports: football, basketball, baseball & track. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from Drake University in 1958 where he played basketball for John Bennington. Following graduation, Bill taught at Lynnville-Sully High School while coaching girls and boy’s basketball at the same time. In 1962 he left Lynnville-Sully to work at the Peoples Saving Bank in Montezuma, where still serves as President. Bill started his long and distinguished officiating career in 1961. Over the years he officiated basketball, baseball, softball and track at the high school level. Also, for 4 years he worked basketball in the Iowa Collegiate Conference. He became an official at the Drake Relays in 1970 and is currently an assistant chief umpire. He was recognized on the Drake Wall of Honor in 2000. Bill enjoys time with his wife of 51 years, Shirley, their two children and seven grandchildren. In 2004, they had five grandsons playing on five different football teams. However, that wasn’t as big a problem as in 2006 when one grandson played in the Iowa State Football Championship game while at the same time another grandson played in the Illinois State Football Championship game.

E. G. Booth

Indianola (Official) 2000 Charter IATO

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ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Has been involved in Boys and Girls athletics, one way or another, since 1950. Officiated Boys and Girls Basketball for several years Officiated Football for 10 years. Has been a Track official at several High School Conference and Invitational Meets. Officiates at several College Track Meets. Has been an official at the Drake Relays since 1963. Has been an official at the Girls State Meet, indoor and outdoor, since 1963 and at the Boys State Meet since 1965. Coached Track and Field and Cross Country at Grinnell College for 8 years and at Simpson College for 4 years. Coached Track and Field for the Ministry of Youth and Sport in the Kingdom of Libya.HONORS: Received a plaque from Drake for 35 years as a Drake Relays Official in 1998. Received a plaque from the IHSAA for 50 years of active service in 2000. Received a plaque from the Iowa Association of Track Officials (IATO) for 50 years of active service as a Track Official in 2000. Married to wife Carol and they have four grown children, two sons, David and Steven, and two daughters, Barbara and Joan.

Darrell Brand

Montezuma (Official) 2012

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Hall of Fame coach in 2 sports; A school Principal for 32 years;  An Athletic Director for 33 years; A Drake Relays volunteer for 40 years; A husband for 53 years.  Do you notice a pattern here?  Then Darrell Brand makes a commitment to do something, he does it very well and his commitment is anything but short lived.  Darrell graduated from Sully High School in 1956 and Central College in 1959.  He furthered his education at Drake by getting degrees in Guidance and Counseling and his Education Specialist Degree in Educational Administration.  He taught at both Harmony and Prairie City before settling in at Montezuma where he taught PE, Biology, Sociology and English.  He was the Elementary Principal for 5 years; the Secondary Principal for 27 years and the Athletic Director for 33 years.  He was the varsity football coach for 27 years and led the Montezuma FCA for 20 years. Darrell was selected for the Iowa Girls’ Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a softball umpire in 2001 and to the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995.  Darrell has always had a love for Track and Field and has been very involved in our sport over his career.  He has served the IATO as an At-Large Director.  He is a long time volunteer at the state meet, serving as a finish line judge, umpire and clerk.  He has started several District/Regional meets.  He has served at the Drake Relays for 40 years as both a finish line judge and an umpire; and has been honored for his service by being recognized on the Drake Relays Wall of Honor.  After retiring from Montezuma in 1997, Darrell joined the coaching staff at Central College in Pella. Darrell has coached the kickers and punters for the Dutch for 16 years.  Darrell and Sherma have 1 daughter, Crystal and son in law Jim Bruxvoort and 2 granddaughters, Liesl and Mariel.

George Bresnahan

University of Iowa 2011

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George Bresnahan was born in Ida Grove in 1891 and after graduating from high school he left the Hawkeye state for Wisconsin, where he became an outstanding runner.  After serving in World War 1 George became an assistant coach for the Badgers.  After 3 years in Madison, Bresnahan was offered the head coaching position at the University of Iowa, a position he held from 1921 to 1949.
Bresnahan was internationally renowned for his work in track and field and was appointed assistant coach of the 1932 U.S. Olympic team.  Nine of his Iowa athletes earned spots on that team and three of them won gold medals.  George Saling in the high hurdles, Ed Gordon in the broad jump and George Baird who ran on the record breaking 1600 meter relay team coached by Bresnahan.  His Iowa team won the Big Ten indoor championships in 1926 and 1929 and three times was the outdoor runner-up   Eight of his teams finished sixth or better at the NCAA Championships.  In 1923 his Hawkeye mile relay team set a National Intercollegiate record of 3:16.9 that stood for seven years.  Under Coach Bresnahan, Iowans won 9 National Collegiate titles and 35 Big 10 championships.  He coached his athletes to Big 10, national and world records in 10 events.
Not content with just coaching, Bresnahan co-authored the book “Track and Field Athletes”.  This book became the premier track coaching text and was used throughout the world.  He also invented the rubber rimmed discus along with 2 types of adjustable starting blocks.  He was recognized by his peers by being elected President of the American Track Coaches Association in 1932 and in 1949 he was named to the coaches section of the College Track Hall of Fame.  He is also in the University of Iowa and Drake Relays Hall of Fame.
Upon retiring from coaching, Bresnahan remained as assistant professor of physical education at Iowa.
Coach Bresnahan passed away on August 7, 1964, in Iowa City, at the age of 74.

Teresa Breyfogle (Mohwinkle)

Galva Holstien 2000

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Teresa Breyfogle was born in Ida Grove, IA. and is the daughter of Dale Breyfogle and Ellen Madsen. She grew up in Holstein, IA. She has a brother Brian. She graduated from Galva Holstein High School in 1993. Here are some of her high school accomplishments. In track her accomplishments are outstanding. She won six state individual titles in her high school career. She won the Class 1-A outdoor high jump three straight years and finished as the runner-up her freshmen year. She was the overall champion at the 1991 State meet. Teresa also won the Class 1-A long jump in both 1992 and 1993. She won the 1992 indoor high jump title and was runner up in 1993. Teresa placed at the Drake Relays twice in the high jump, finishing sixth in 1992 and second in 1993. Teresa had an all time best of 5’10.5″ in the high jump and 17′ 5″ in the long jump. She holds several school record including the 400 meter dash, 4 X 400 meter relay as well as the high jump and long jump. Teresa was a four time conference and district champion in the high jump. Track and Field was not the only sport Teresa excelled in during her high school career. She was an All-Conference performer in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball. She earned All-State honors in both softball and volleyball. She was a starter on the 1991 state basketball tournament team. Teresa earned 15 varsity letters during her high school career. Teresa was also an outstanding student as well as an athlete. She was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, serving as vice president her senior year. Teresa did not stop once she arrived at Buena Vista University where she competed in both basketball and track. She earned eight varsity letters while at BVU. She was captain of the women’s basketball team her senior year and was selected as the best defensive player in 1997 and as the most improved player in both 1994 an 1996. It was in track and field where Teresa really excelled. She was a six time All-American in the high jump. Teresa placed in both the indoor and outdoor National Meet in 1994 and 1995. She was the NCAA III National Outdoor Champion in 1996 and placed 3rd in 1997. Teresa holds the BVU school record for both indoors and outdoors in the High Jump. She also competed in several other events as a member of the Lady Beavers Track and Field Team. Teresa and her husband Jason Mohwinkle reside in Knoxville, Iowa, where she is a Program Supervisor for the Knoxville Recreation Department. Teresa served as the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Central College during the 1999-2000 season.

George Bretnall

Ames 1977

Antwerpen 1920 Olympics – 400 meters

Rob Brock *2019 Inductee

In 2018 we posthumously inducted long time Dubuque Senior coach Jim Boughton into our Hall of Fame.  Coach Boughton had some amazing athletes during his career with the Rams, but there is one that sticks out above the rest and had I had my head screwed on straight a year ago, Rob Brock could have shared  the stage with his beloved coach.

But what didn’t happen then, is happening now and Rob gets his well-deserved recognition today.

With 3 older brothers, who were active in everything, Rob became active in everything as well.  By the time he reached Junior High it had become quite apparent that running, and running well, would be his focus for many years to come.  He ran the 1600 once in 7th grade in 5:03 and once again in 8th grade, this time clocking 4:47.

Rob initially planned to play football in high school but decided to join older brother Jay on the cross country team instead.  He soon became hooked.  He liked training, he liked racing and he loved winning.  He would finish 4th at the 1993 state meet as a 9th grader and the team finished a close 2nd to City High.  In all, Rob finished in the top 4 at state all 4 years at Senior: 4th, 1st, 1st and 3rd.

As a sophomore in 1995 Rob led the Rams to a 1-2-3 individual finish at the state cross country meet and Senior to the 4A team title.

In the spring of 1997 Rob would win his 4th state title in the 3200, becoming the first Iowa high school athlete to accomplish this feat and remains only 1 of 2 to complete that sweep.  He would win a total of 6 state track titles during his career, adding gold medals in the 800 and 1600 to his list of accomplishments.  During his high school career at the Drake Relays, Rob won 7 medals, including gold in the 3200 in ‘96 and ‘97 and a 3rd gold as the anchor of the Medley Relay in 1996.

Rob is still listed on the Iowa high school All Time lists in the 1600 with a PR of 4:16.5,    a 3200 best of 9:09.17 and a 1600 meter medley that ran 3:38.91.

Following his high school career Rob moved on to join brother Jay at UNI.  A career highlight for the 4X all Missouri Valley performer, was the 2000 Drake Relays.  Stanford made the trip to Des Moines that year with their talented distance corp. The Cardinal lost to Missouri in the 4×800, won the DMR rather handily and fully intended to win another gold by breaking the tape in the 4×1600.  But Rob and his UNI teammates had other ideas.  Brock ran an outstanding 4:04 3rd leg, putting the Panthers anchor runner right alongside Stanford’s Brad Hauser, who a month later would make the US Olympic team in the 5,000.  Four laps on the  Blue Oval later, UNI would win gold by 5/100 of a second.

Rob is now employed by Heartland Retirement Group and he and his wife Emily live in West Des Moines with their 2 children, Lena and Kate.

Gordon Brookhart

Fairfield (Official) 2001

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Gordon had three passions in life – his family – his God – and Track and Field. He started running in the 9th grade and never stopped. A student said after his death, he had a wonderful race through life. He graduated from Iowa Teachers College (UNI) in 1951 and began coaching Track and Swimming at Boone High School in Boone, Iowa. After he received his Master Degree from Iowa State, he was named assistant principal at Fairfield High School in 1961 and became Principal in 1966. Brook as he was called, believed that public relations was very important for his school district and in this regard he served his community in many ways – Director of the Chamber of Commerce – Chairman of the Jefferson County Crime Stoppers – a very active member of his church, serving as Chairman of the board several times – chaired every committee in the church – taught Sunday School – sang in the choir. He loved and supported all the activities of his school. He was serving on the representative council of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and had for 10 years. He registered with the IHSAA in 1952 and worked many track meets in the old Iowa fieldhouse. His first outdoor State meet was in 1960. Since 1967 he started the State meet every year until his sudden death in 1981. The 1982 Boys State Meet was dedicated in his honor. At the Boys State Basketball Tournament in 1983, Brook was honored as a recipient of the Lyle T. Quinn award. The Fairfield Trojan Relays were re-named The Gordon Brookhart Relays following his death – several trophies were awarded to runners in his name at several Southeast Iowa Track meets – a scholarship fund was established in his name and $1,000.00 scholarships were awarded to four students. He definitely loved track along with his wife, as she would accompany him and watched him start hundreds of meets. The athletes, who he worked with, held him in high esteem as was shown by the many letters he received from various athletes over the years. When his family cleaned out his office at school they found a page from a magazine he has torn out and taped on the wall opposite his desk. It showed the back of a lone runner with a long road stretching ahead of him. The caption said “The race is not always to the swift – but to those who keep on running.” His wife made prints of this for their three grandchildren who were very young when Brook died. This is the legacy he would have given to them and is what he imparted to all those lives of the young people he touched.

Jennifer Brower (McNutt)

St. Ansgar 1999

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Our athlete inductee to the Hall of Fame was born in Dubuque, IA. Jennifer Brower is the daughter of Diana and Frank Brower. She grew up in St. Ansgar, IA. She has a brother Andy. She graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1988. Here are some of her high school accomplishments.
In Cross Country she was a four time individual state qualifier winning three straight district tiles and placing in the top ten all four years. She won the state title in 1986 and was runner-up in 1985 and 1987. Jennifer was seventh as a freshman. She was the only member of her high school cross country team during her high school career. She was selected to the All-State teams in 1986 and 1987. Selected the Iowa AAU outstanding Athlete Award for Cross Country in 1987. In track her accomplishments are outstanding. She won four district title in the 3000 Meter Run and the 4 X 800 Meter Relay. She won the 1500 Meter Run title three times and was runner-up once. She also won ten conference titles. At the state meet she won two 3000 Meter Run titles both indoors and outdoors. Her junior year she ran 10:07 which was the seventh best time for an Iowa prep. She placed in the 1500 Meter Run and the 4 X 800 Meter Relay all four years, winning the 1500 Meter Run title her senior year. She was selected to the All State Track and Field teams in 1987 & 1988. Jennifer was a member of the National Honor Society, State of Iowa Scholar and earned four academic letters during her years at St. Ansgar. After her graduation she continued her career at the University of Iowa on an athletic scholarship in Cross Country and Track. Her collegiate career was impressive as well. She was a three time All-American in Cross and Track. She was the 1990 team captain. Here is a look at some of her accomplishments while at the University of Iowa. Jennifer won the 10,000 Meter Run Champion at the Drake Relays and the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Filed Meet. She won the 5000 Meter Run at the Kansas Relays, Florida Relays, and the Cornhusker Indoor Invitational. She was the regional and Big Ten Runner-up in Cross Country. She placed 3rd and 5th in the 10,000 Meter Run at the NCAA Championships in 1991 and 1992. She is the 10,000 meter record holder at the University of Iowa. Jennifer was selected the NCAA Women of the Year for the University of Iowa. She was selected the All-Around team MVP in 1991-1992. She was a three time Academic All American and a four time Academic All-Big Ten. Jennifer received the Big Ten Medal of Honor. She has been selected the University of Iowa Track Academic Athlete of the Decade and is a member of the Iowa Hawkeye Hall of Fame. Jennifer graduated from the University of Iowa in 1995 with a BA in Pharmacy. She received an NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship. Jennifer continued he competitive career after graduations with similar results. She placed 5th in the 5000 Meters at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in 1991. She was a qualifier for the Olympic Trials in 10,000 Meter Run 1992 and the Marathon in 1996. She competed in Beijing, China, in 1993, the World Half-Marathon champions in Belgium, in 1993, and in Japan in 1997. She is a member of the Adidas Running Team.
Jennifer married Matt McNutt in June of 1995. They are the proud parents of daughter Megan born October 27, 1999. Matt and Jennifer live in Austin, Texas where Matt is a lawyer for 3-M and Jennifer is a pharmacist for People’s Pharmacy. It is an honor to introduce Jennifer Brower-McNutt as a 1999 inductee to the Iowa Association Tack & Field Hall of Fame.

Bob Brown

Iowa City Regina 2005

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Bob was born on October 29, 1942, in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Regina High School, graduating in 1960. He participated in basketball while in high school. Bob graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Political Science in 1965. Bob began his track and field coaching career in 1983 as a junior high and an assistant varsity coach working with sprinters. He became the head coach in 1990. During the last 15 years Regina High School has become one of the premier programs in the state. Here are some of Bob’s accomplishments in track & field, three Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Conference titles, four District titles, and a third place finish at the State Meet. He has been selected Regional Coach of the year five times and the State Coach of the Year three times. He has had eight individual state champions and one relay team state champion. Bob also has coached 10 Academic All-State athletes and 20 first team All-State athletes. Bob’s Cross Country achievements are just as outstanding. He started the program at Iowa City Regina in 1987. His boys’ teams have been perennial participants at the state meet over the last 13 years. During this time his teams have finished in the top four at the State meet, winning titles in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2003, and 2004. Regina is the only school to win back to back titles in two different classifications. He has had two runner-up finishes and one third place finish to go with the five titles. Bob has coached 15 All-State performers and 6 Academic All-State performers. His teams have won seven EIHC conference meets and seven district meets. He has been selected State Coach of the Year five times and regional coach of the year seven times. Bob’s girl’s program has also been successful, winning two district titles and finishing in the top ten at the State meet the last four years. He has received Regional Coach of the Year honors three times. He has had two All-State performers and three Academic All-State Performers. Bob has been a presenter at several clinics including the IATC Distance running clinic and the Iowa State Clinic in Ames. He is an outstanding clinician for all to learn what it takes to develop a successful program. He also has been inducted into the Regina High School Hall of Fame and received the Distinguishes Alumni Award form Regina High School. This past fall the Track at Regina High School was named in his honor. Bob is the 2005 nominee National Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year for the State of Iowa. Bob and his wife of 41 years, Darlene have four children. They are Amy, Rob, Anne Marie and Melissa. They are also the proud grandparents of Ali, Coen, RJ, Gabriel, Jack, and Madeline. Bob was a recreational therapist at the University of Iowa Hospitals for 32 years.

Dave Brown

Spencer – 1993

Dave attended Gruver High School and was active in all sports. This Univ. of Northern Iowa graduate started coaching and teaching at Burt high School in 1960. In 1969 he coached at Lincoln Central where his boys were state indoor champions. In 1970 he moved to Spencer where his boys teams have won the Lakes Conference track and field championship 20 of 21 years including a record 14 in a row. In 1982 he became the track coordinator for Spencer’s girl-boy co-ed program. Since then the Spencer girls have won the Lakes Conference 9 of 11 years including the last 8 in a row. During his career he has coached his teams to over 240 victories. His state accomplishments include: 1. Class C indoor championship 1969. 2. Class A outdoor runner-up in 1976. 3. Tied for 3rd twice in class 4-A outdoor meet. 4. Placed in the top 10 in 4-A many times. 5. Selected coach of the year twice and regional coach 7 times. 6. Coached 36 individual state meet place winners and 14 relay teams The state meet was highlighted by the 1989 4-A 4×800 state champion relay team with a time of 7:50.7. Of the 36 state meet places, 15 were champions as well as having 5 Drake relay champions. Dave Brown is an excellent clinic speaker in the areas of the 800, the stand-up-start-hurdles, and the high jump. He originated the winter clinic and meetings of the Lakes Conference, helped in organizing an FCA huddle, and served as northwest representative to the IATC Association. Dave loves the farm and outdoor life with his wife, Shirley, two boys, Chuck, Andrew and one daughter, Heather. He is proud of the promise he made his wife and family – to give them his undivided summer in exchange for the busy life of a coach through the school year.

Robert “Buck” Buckley

Webster City 1986

This individual was born and raised in Forest City. While in high school he was captain of the track team and was all conference in football. From high school, “Buck” attended Luther College where he was also captain of the track team and all conference in football at the guard position. A coaching career that started in 1952 to the present position at Webster City, this individual has successfully coached all sports. His track teams have won over 100 meets plus three conference champions with his best finish in the state meet a 6th place. Robert has served as a regional representative from the central region for the Track Coaches Association and has appeared at many clinics in the state. When asked for personal information, “Buck” responded, “I do not consider myself a super coach. I have enjoyed the association with athletes, coaches, and athletic situations. I do consider my nomination to be a very distinct privilege and an honor.”

Larry Bullock

Farnhamville 1983

Chuck Burdick

Des Moines Register 1984

A well known writer for the Des Moines Register. Some of his contributions to High School Track and Field: 1. Published a weekly list of boys and girls event leaders by class. 2. Produced an extensive form chart prior to the Drake Relays and State Track Meets. The chart gave season leaders, all-time bests, state records, and threw in his predictions. 3. Served as a member of the Girls Union Committee that helped select hall of fame members. 4. He was a regular at the Holstein Relays regardless of the weather. 5. A great supporter believing that the boys and girls state meets should be combined.

Harry Burrell

Ames 1976

Harry Burrell, ISU’s first sports information director, who served Cyclone administrators, coaches and student-athletes for more than 40 years in that capacity. Burrell, the second-longest tenured SID in collegiate history (44 years), was responsible for the sports publicity efforts throughout his five decades of service to the Iowa State athletic department. He was the first sports information director at Northern Iowa from 1934-41 and then SID at Iowa State from 1941-78, excepting naval service as a gunnery officier in the Pacific theatre during World War II. Only Temple’s Al Shrier (51 years) served in his profession longer. As one of the pioneers in the sports information field, Burrell helped establish the guidelines for his profession and is remembered by his peers and contemporaries as a tireless promoter of ISU athletic teams as well as a consummate professional and a caring individual. The national athletic media relations organization, College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), elected Burrell into its Hall of Fame as a member of its second class (1970). He attended Iowa City High School and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Iowa. Burrell’s awards include Helms Foundation Hall of Fame, CoSida Hall of Fame, Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame, Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, Iowa State Letterwinners’ Athletic Hall of Fame, Catholic Youth Organization’s National Award for service to media and the nation’s youth, Iowa Daily Press Association Distinguished Service Award (1968)> , City of Ames Distinguished Service Award (1968), Iowa High School Athletic Directors Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to high school athletics, Special Citation from the Iowa State University student body for service to Iowa State and Faculty Citation for service to Iowa State.

Faith Burt *2019 Inductee

She ran in her first track meet at the age of 7.  Although she was unprepared and not so sure what all was going on, Faith Burt fell in love with Track and Field and Track and Field fans in Iowa were blessed by her talents for many years to come.

Faith says her family was the driving force behind her success, not so much on being a champion, but to be a better Faith each and every time she competed.

Faith Burt had so many career highlights many of which are team related, like winning Drake Relays and state meet relay titles while at Cedar Falls High and being a part of 5 national championship teams at Wartburg.

Her 13 state titles solidify her position as one of Iowa’s All Time greats.  Her 6 Division 3 gold medals make her one of the best to ever compete for Wartburg.  In addition to her national titles, she was victorious in the Iowa Conference 13 times.

As a freshman, competitors and fans in the Cedar Falls area knew Burt was special.  At the 2005 state meet, track fans from all over Iowa got to see this 9th grade wunderkind perform.  She left Drake Stadium that year with 4 gold medals   and won 9 more state titles over the next 3 years.

Faith won 3 Drake Relays 100 meter titles during her high school career.  Winning gold on the Blue Oval her senior year, after not winning as  a junior, goes down as her favorite high school track and field memory.

I asked longtime Wartburg Head Coach, Marcus Newsom, what made Faith Burt so special?  Newsom was quick to reply:

“Faith consistently demonstrated herself as a young lady that believed in hard work, always carried a high level of integrity, and was always trustworthy and honest. Faith had an incredible attitude and appreciation for all who helped her along the way; her mother, sisters and community”.

The track and field fires still burn inside this new hall of famer.  She is training with 1996 US Olympian Jeff Williams with hopes of competing in both the 100 and 200 at the 2020 Olympic Trials and beyond.

Faith currently lives in Los Angeles where she works as a Property Manager.

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