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 9 minutes in 3200 meter run
Reesey Beyers, Santa Rosa 2010 8:59.89

First to break 4:10 in 1600 meter run
Mike Perez, Lower Lake 2006 4:09.91

First to break 7 feet in High Jump
Gabe Manville, Santa Rosa 1989 7-0

First to break 39 seconds in 300m Intermediate Hurdles
Mike Koellsted, Calistoga 1985 38.9

First to break 15 feet in Pole Vault
John Gash, Santa Rosa 1984 15-6

First to break 60 feet in Shot Put
Dennis DeSoto, Santa Rosa 1981 63-10½

First to break 180 feet in Discus
Chris Day, Montgomery 1980 180-4, 181-6¼ in 1981

First to break 1:50 in 880 yard run
Dan Aldridge, Petaluma 1975 1:49.7

First to break 21 seconds in 220 yard dash
Mel Gray, Montgomery 1967 20.7*

First to break 24 and 25 feet in Long Jump
Mel Gray, Montgomery 1965 24-0½, 25-7¼ 1967

First to break 50 seconds in 440 yard dash
Jim Peterson, Santa Rosa 1962 49.7

First to break 10 seconds in 100 yard dash
Delbert Butler, Santa Rosa 1934 9.9

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.