With Reesey Beyers becoming the first Empire athlete to ever break the nine minute
barrier in the 3200 meter run I thought it would be fun to look at some of the other
barrier breakers in Empire history.
By Jim Crowhurst
First to break 38 seconds (FAT) in 300m Intermediate Hurdles
Russell Gordon, Fort Bragg 5/26/21 37.79 at State Invitational
First to break 9 minutes in 3200 meter run
Reesey Beyers, Santa Rosa 4/10/10 8:59.89 at Arcadia
First to break 4:10 in 1600 meter run
Mike Perez, Lower Lake 4/22/06 4:09.91 at Top 8 meet
First to break 39 seconds (FAT) in 300m Intermediate Hurdles
Chris Barnsdale, Montgomery 6/2/95 38.89 at State trials
First to break 47 seconds in 400 meter dash
Corey Nelson, Rancho Cotate 5/27/95 46.89 at NCS MOC
First to break 7 feet in High Jump
Gabe Manville, Santa Rosa 5/27/89 7-0 at NCS MOC
First to break 39 seconds (hand timed) in 300m Intermediate Hurdles
Mike Koellsted, Calistoga 1985 38.9
First to break 15 feet in Pole Vault
John Gash, Santa Rosa 5/19/84 15-0½ at NCS MOC
First to break 60 feet in Shot Put
Dennis DeSoto, Santa Rosa 5/17/80 60-1
First to break 180 feet in Discus
Chris Day, Montgomery 180-4½ 5/24/80 NCS 3A
First to break 48 feet in Triple Jump
Marvin Colter, Piner 3/11/78 48-7 at Carlmont Relays
First to break 14 feet in Pole Vault
Tim McDonald, St.Helena before 5/19/76 14-6
First to break 1:50 in 880 yard run
Dan Aldridge, Petaluma 5/24/75 1:49.7 at NCS 3A
First to break 170 feet in Discus
Jeff Faulk, Montgomery 5/26/73 173-1 at NCS MOC
First to break 6-6 feet in High Jump
Tom Buzzard, Montgomery 1972 6-6
First to break 46 & 47 feet in Triple Jump
Jim Brown, Santa Rosa 1971 47-4¼
First to break 3:20 in Mile Relay
Vallejo 5/25/68 3:19.9 at NCS MOC
First to break 21 seconds in 220 yard dash, curce
Mel Gray, Montgomery 5/6/67 NBL I trials 20.9
First to break 24 and 25 feet in Long Jump
Mel Gray, Montgomery 1965 24-0½
Mel Gray, Montgomery 6/17/67 25-7¼ ?West Coast Relays
First to break 43 seconds in 440 yard Relay
Montgomery 4/22/67 42.6 at Santa Rosa Relays
First to break 13 feet in Pole Vault
Dick Oliver, Montgomery 1964 13-2½
First to break 49 seconds in 440 yard dash
Sherman Miller, Napa 1950 48.1
First to break 21 seconds in 220 yard dash, straight away
Sherman Miller, Napa 1950 20.8
First to break 10 seconds in 100 yard dash
Delbert Butler, Santa Rosa 1934 9.9
First to break 2:00 in 880 yard run
Elmer Boyden, Vallejo 1921 1:59.2
First to break 12 feet in Pole Vault
Eric Richardson, Ukiah 1920 12-2
First to break 4:30 in Mile
Larry Chapman, Santa Rosa 1914 4:28.0*
First to break 50 feet in Shot Put
Ralph Rose, Healdsburg 1903 52-8 2/5*
First to break 10 feet in Pole Vault
Arthur Henley, Ukiah 1900 10-7½*
First to break 6 feet in High Jump
Arthur Henley, Ukiah 1898 6-1*
* – Also State Best