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Coach Willie White and the 1981 Berkeley High School Track Bests

photo by Don Gosney
Berkeley 1981 State Champs with State Commissioner Tom Byrnes and Southern Section
Commissioner Ray Plutko

January 16, 2007
By Keith Conning
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://hometown.aol.com/conning/myhomepage/index.html

Berkeley High School won the 1981 California State Meet championship for both boys and girls.  It was the first time that one high school had won both championships in the same year.  The men’s state meet started in 1915.  The women’s state meet started in 1974. 

Willie White (Jefferson High School, Los Angeles 1956; Los Angeles Harbor Junior College 1957; University of California, Berkeley 1960), one of the most successful California high school track coaches, was the head coach at Berkeley High School from 1966-1984.  He was also an outstanding sprinter in high school and college. On June 2, 1956 at Chico State College, he set the California State Meet record of 9.5 in the 100 yard dash.  In 1957 he handed 1956 Olympic 100 Meters Champion Bobby Morrow his only defeat of the season.  White was twice ranked in the top ten in the world in the 100 meters by Track and Field News--4th in 1957 and 10th in 1958.  In 1958 he finished 6th in the NCAA 100 yards.  In 1960 he finished 4th in the NCAA 100 yards.  White finished sixth in the 1960 Olympic Trials 100 meters at Stanford, narrowly missing being selected for the 4x100 relay team.

California State Meet
Chico State College, Chico, June 2, 1956
National Interscholastic Record:
9.4, Jesse Owens (East Technical, Cleveland, Ohio), Chicago Interscholastic Meet at Chicago, Illinois, June 17, 1933. 
Owens born September 12, 1913 at Danville, Alabama.  Age at time of record: 19 years, 9 months.
9.4, Jim Jackson (Alameda, CA), North Coast Section (heat) at Berkeley, CA, May 22, 1954.  Jackson born June 2,
1935 at Portland, Arkansas.  Age at time of record: 18 years, 11 months.
State Meet Record:
9.6 Frank Lombardi (Los Angeles), at Selma High School, May 5, 1928
9.6w Bob Frick (San Ramon Valley, Danville), at Ratcliffe Stadium, Fresno City College, Fresno, May 25, 1935
9.6 Leamon King (Delano), at Ratcliffe Stadium, Fresno, May 29, 1953.
100 Yard Dash
1. -Willie White (Jefferson, LA) 9.5 Meet Record
2. -Bob Poynter (Pasadena, S) 9.6
3. -Jerry White (Corcoran, C) 9.6
4. -Rudy Jackson (Richmond, NC) 9.7
5. *Gary Schaaf (Orosi, C) 9.7
6. -Al Matta (Mt. Carmel, S) 9.7
7. -Ola Lee Murchison (Placer, SJ) 9.9
8. *Fred Dewitt (Berkeley, NC) 10.0

Willie White would later coach Fred Dewitt’s son at Berkeley High.  White and coach Bob Poynter (Silver Creek High
School, San Jose) continued their rivalry as high school track coaches.

All-Time World Rankings – Men’s 100 Meters
1957
1. Bobby Morrow (US)
2. Leamon King (US)
3. Manfred Germar (West Germany)
4. Willie White (US)
5. Dave Sime (US)
6. Ira Murchison (US)
7. Mike Agostini (Trinidad)
8. Marian Foik (Poland)
9. Jose Telles da Conceicao (Brazil)
10. Orlando Hazley (US)
1958
1. Bobby Morrow (US)
2. Ira Murchison (US)
3. Armin Hary (West Germany)
4. Ray Norton (US)
5. Mike Agostini (Trinidad)
6. Manfred Germar (West Germany)
7. Dave Sime (US)
8. Keith Gardner (Jamaica)
9. Peter Radford (Great Britain)
10. Willie White (US)
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/men/100worldranking.pdf

U.S. Olympic Trials, Stanford
100 Meters – July 1, 1960, 1915 Hr
1. Ray Norton (Santa Clara Valley Youth Village) 10.4
2. Frank Budd (Villanova) 10.4
3. Dave Sime (Duke AC) 10.4
4. Paul Winder (Morgan State) 10.4
5. Bill Woodhouse (Abilene TC) 10.5
6. Willie White (Cal) 10.5
7. Tom Fuller (USAF) 10.6
Charlie Tidwell (Kansas) DNF
THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS – TRACK & FIELD 1908-2000, by Richard Hymans ATFS

1981 Berkeley High School Leaders List
The Berkeley High School list includes the marks that met Mike Kennedy’s (Los Angeles Times) minimum reporting
standards and any improvements during the season.  It does not include all marks that made the standard just the
initial mark and any equal or superior marks.  I have also included the winning marks from the North Coast Section,
and the results from the State Meet and the Golden West Invitational.

Berkeley High held their dual meets at Edwards Stadium at the University of California, Berkeley.  They also practiced
there in the morning before school. 

Grades: -=senior, *=junior, **=sophomore, ***=freshman.
Abbreviations: A=mark made at altitude about 1,000 meters; DNR=Did not run; FAT=Fully automatic timing; h=hand-
timed; mps=meters per second; w=wind-aided.

100 Meters (Minimum Reporting Standards 10.7h, 10.94 FAT)
10.39 (+1.0mps) –Kenny Robinson 1) North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
10.60 (-0.2) –Kenny Robinson 1) State Meet, Cerritos College, Norwalk, 6/6
10.82 (-4.47mps) –Kenny Robinson 1) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13
11.05 (-4.47mps) –Walter Murray 4) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13
Wind-aided:
10.24 (+3.02) –Kenny Robinson 1) State Meet Heat 2 6/5
10.94 (+3.2mps) *Stoney McCree 7) State Meet Heat 1 6/5
Hand-timed:
10.5 -Walter Murray 1) NCS Trials 5/29
10.6 –Walter Murray 1) dual vs. Pinole 4/8
10.6 –Walter Murray 5/23
10.6 *Stoney McCree 3) NCS 4A 5/23
10.6 –Charles Clewis  4) NCS 4A 5/23
Wind-aided:
10.2 –Kenny Robinson 1) vs. South Eugene, Edwards Stadium, Berkeley, 3/26
10.5 –Walter Murray 2) NCS 4A Trials 5/21
10.6 *Stoney McCree 2) NCS 4A Trials 5/21
10.7 –Kenny Robinson 1) North Coast Section 5/30
10.7 –Charles Clewis 2) dual vs. South Eugene, 3/26
10.7 –Charles Clewis 5/21
10.9 –Walter Murray NCS 5/30
11.0 *Stoney McCree NCS 5/30

photo by Don Gosney
Ken Robinson (left) and rival Kevin Wilhite off the line in 1981 State Meet

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Men’s 100 Meters
State Record: 10.55 Howard Hawkins (Warren, Downey) 1980
National Record: 10.4 Darren Walker (Mead, MD) 1980
All-Time Record: 10.16 Houston McTear (Baker, FL), at Eugene, Oregon, 6/20/76
100 Meters (Wind: -0.2)
1. -Ken Robinson (Berkeley, NC) 10.60
2. *Kevin Wilhite (Cordova, SJ) 10.68
3. -George Ervin (Castlemont, O) 10.78
4. **Antonio Manning (Hamilton, LA) 10.82
5. -Kevin Shields (San Diego, SD) 10.89
6. *Troy Delemar (Pasadena, S) 10.96
7. *Joel Davis (Mt. Miguel, SD) 11.07
-Calvin Jackson (Dorsey, LA) DNS
-Leonard Graham (Centennial, S) DNS
Heats June 5
Heat 1 (+3.2 mps)
7. *Stoney McCree (Berkeley, NC) 10.94
Heat 2 (+3.02 mps)
1. –Ken Robinson (Berkeley, NC) 10.24w
Heat 3 (+2.14 mps)
1. -Kevin Wilhite (Cordova, SJ) 10.50w
2. **Antonio Manning (Hamilton, LA) 10.53
3. -Walter Murray (Berkeley, NC) 10.58w

Berkeley head coach Willie White won the 1956 State Meet 100 yard dash in 9.5, twenty-five years earlier.
Kenny Robinson is the younger brother of James Robinson, the seven-time national champion in the 800 meters
between 1976 and 1984.  Kenny currently works at Costco, the national retailer of brand name products, from
computers and clothing to gardening and gourmet food, in Fairfield and lives in Sacramento.
USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions, Men’s 800 m

http://www.usatf.org/statistics/champions/USAOutdoorTF/men/m800m.asp

200 Meters (21.9 22.14)
21.03 (+1.93) –Kenny Robinson 2) State Meet Heat 3, Cerritos College, Norwalk 6/5
21.05 (-0.1) –Kenny Robinson 2) State Meet 6/6
22.60 (ok) –Charles Clewis 9) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13
Wind-aided:
21.33 –Walter Murray 2) Quicksilver 5/9
21.48 –Charles Clewis 3) Quicksilver 5/9
22.02 (+2.87) *Stoney McCree 4) State Meet Heat 1 6/5
Hand-timed:
21.3 –Walter Murray 1) dual vs. Pinole 4/8
21.7 –Kenny Robinson 5/23
21.9 *Stoney McCree 1) 4A Trials 5/21
21.9 –Kenny Robinson 1) North Coast Section 5/30
22.0 –Ulysee Walker  Source: Oakland Tribune list 4/18
22.1 *Stoney McCree 3) NCS 5/30
Wind-aided:
21.3 –Kenny Robinson  dual v. South Eugene 3/26
21.6 –Charles Clewis 3) Capital Inv., Sacramento 4/25

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
200 Meters (Wind: -0.1)
State Record: 20.7 (220 yards turn) Mel Gray (Montgomery, Santa Rosa) 1967
National Record: 20.5 (yards turn) Dwayne Evans (South Mountain, AZ) 1976
All-Time Record: 20.22 Dwayne Evans (South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ), Eugene, Oregon, 6/22/76
1. *Kevin Wilhite (Cordova, SJ) 20.81
2. -Ken Robinson (Berkeley, NC) 21.05
3. -Harold Todd (Serra, S) 21.25
4. *Bernard Mathis (Muir, S) 21.56
5. -Kevin Shields (San Diego, SD) 21.58
6. -Reggie Grimes (Andrew Hill, CC) 21.59
7. -Larry Jackson (La Mirada, S) 21.75
8. *Rex Brown (Ocean View, S) 22.01
9. *Paul Day (Kearney, SD) 22.08
Heats (June 5)
III (+2.0): Wilhite 20.81, Robinson 21.03

Kevin Wilhite (Codova High School, Rancho Cordova, CA) was selected for the Sam B. Nicola Trophy as
the the National High School Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio in 1981.  Ted
Ginn, Jr. and Chris Leak, who played in the national championship game between Ohio State and Florida in
2007, were awarded the Sam B. Nicola Trophy in 2003 and 2002.  Only three Californians have ever been
selected for this award: Kevin Wilhite (Cordova) in 1981, Todd Marinovich (Mission Viejo) in 1987, and
D.J. Williams (De La Salle, Concord) in 1999.

http://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm#NICOLA

D.J. Williams (De La Salle, Concord) was selected as the defensive football player of 1999 by USA Today.  He also ran
track for De La Salle.
Player of the year
LB - D.J. WILLIAMS, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 6-2, 220. Career: Had 312 tackles, including 92 for losses.
Caused 12 fumbles and recovered eight. Scored school-record 81 touchdowns in three years. Ran 346 times for 4,276
yards and 64 touchdowns. Had 38 catches for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns. Scored on two kickoff returns, one punt
return and one fumble return. Senior year: Had 86 solo tackles, including 37 for losses, and 47 assists while leading team
to 12-0 record and national-record 100-game winning streak. Forced five fumbles and recovered three. Ran 170 times for
1.974 yards and 30 touchdowns. Tied school record with 38 touchdowns. Biggest motivator: “I love to compete and win.
Every team I’ve been on since I was young was a winner and it’s something you get used to.” Favorite pregame ritual: “I
take a shower. I started at the end of my sophomore year. I have no idea why.” College choice: Miami
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/99allusa.htm
400 Meters (49.4)
46.8 –Kenny Robinson 1) dual vs. Pinole 4/8
47.70 –Kenny Robinson 3) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13
47.7 –Charles Clewis 1) dual vs. JFK, Edwards Stadium, Berkeley 5/3
47.7 –Pete Richardson 2) dual vs. JFK, 5/3
47.7 –Ulysee Walker 1) NCS 4A 5/23
47.9 –Pete Richardson 2) dual vs. Pinole 4/8
47.9 –Ulysee Walker NCS 5/30
48.18 –Ulysee Walker 2) Quicksilver Inv. 5/9
48.22 –Ulysee Walker 5) State Meet Heat 2 6/5
48.1 –Johnny Langerston 3) NCS 4A 5/23
48.2 –Charles Clewis 3) dual vs. Pinole 4/8
48.2 –Ulysee Walker 3) dual vs. JFK 5/3
48.3 –Ulysee Walker 1) Capital Inv., Sacramento 4/25
48.3 –Johnny Langerston 4) NCS 5/30
48.4 –Johnny Langerston 2) NCS 4A 5/21
48.6 –Johnny Langerston 4) dual vs. JFK 5/3
48.75 Ulysee Walker North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
48.7 –Pete Richardson 1) dual vs. De Anza 4/2
48.7 –Walter Murray 5) dual vs. JFK, 5/3
48.95 –Johnny Langerston 4) State Meet Heat 3, Cerritos College, Norwalk, 6/5
48.8 –Ulysee Walker 2) dual vs. South Eugene, Edwards Stadium, Berkeley, 3/26
48.9 –Johnny Langerston 3) dual vs. South Eugene 3/26
49.1 –Pete Richardson Intra-squad 3/6
49.1 –Ulysee Walker 7) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13
49.3 –Kenny Robinson All-Comers, Berkeley 1/10
49.4 –Charles Clewis All-Comers 1/10

On May 3, in our Richmond-Berkeley Athletic League meet with Kennedy of Richmond at Cal, head coach Willie
White decided to let most of his top runners compete against each other in the 400 meters.  We had times on the
first five finishers.  Unfortunately, we ran out of stopwatches.  I estimated that we had eight finishers under 50! 
I was announcing the meet from the press box.

800 Meters (1:56.4)
1:47.31 –Pete Richardson 1) State Meet, Cerritos College, Norwalk, 6/6
1:50.12 –Pete Richardson 1) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13
1:50.2 –Pete Richardson 1) Bruce Jenner Classic, San Jose CC, 4/10
1:51.5 –Pete Richardson 1) North Coast Section 5/30
1:52.86 –Pete Richardson 1) North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
1:52.86 –Johnny Langerston 6) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento, 6/13
1:52.89 –Pete Richardson 1) State Meet Heat 3 6/5
1:53.5 –Johnny Langerston 2) Quicksilver Inv. 5/9
1:53.5 –Johnny Langerston North Coast Section Heat 5/29
1:53.7 –Johnny Langerston 3) Bruce Jenner 4/10
1:54.22 –Johnny Langerston 3) State Meet Heat 2 6/5
1:54.3 –Johnny Langerston 4) North Coast Section 5/30
1:56.30 –Johnny Langerston North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
1:56.4 **Michael Walker 1) dual vs. JFK 5/7

880 Yards Indoors (1:57.0)
1:56.2 –Pete Richardson

photo by Don Gosney
Pete Richardson (Berkeley) breaks tape in National Record
1:47.31

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
800 Meters
State Record: 1:48.8 (880 yards), Richard Joyce (Sierra, Whittier, CA) 1965
National Interscholastic Record: 1:48.8 (880 yards), Richard Joyce (Sierra, Whittier, CA) 1965
All-time High School Record:
800m 1:48.20 Jeff West (Crenshaw, Los Angeles, CA), Bakersfield, CA, 6/30/70
800m 1:48.2 Jeff West (Crenshaw, Los Angeles, CA), Naperville, IL, 6/9/79
880y 1:48.5n Dale Scott (El Cerrito, CA), Berkeley, CA, 6/10/72
1. -Pete Richardson (Berkeley, NC) 1:47.31 (National Record, State Record)
(Splits: 27.2, 26.8 [54.0], 25.8 [1:19.8], 27.5)
2. -Scott Cox (Wilson, Long Beach, S) 1:49.30
3. -Eddie Davis (Compton, S) 1:50.33
4. -Erwin Hickman (Fremont, LA) 1:50.98
5. -Eric Behring (La Habra, S) 1:51.34
6. -Louie Calderon (Sanger, C) 1:51.46
7. -Dave Rodriguez (Montgomery, NC) 1:51.54
8. -Johnnie Langerston (Berkeley, NC) 1:53.98
9. -Steve Papegaay (Cleveland, LA) 1:57.46
Heats June 5
Heat 2
1. -Scott Cox (Wilson, S) 1:52.50
2. -Louie Calderon (Sanger, C) 1:52.50
3. -Johnny Langerston (Berkeley, NC) 1:54.22
Heat 3
1. -Pete Richardson (Berkeley, NC) 1:52.89

Pete Richardson (El Cerrito) ran 1:55.4 as a sophomore on May 26, 1979.  He transferred to Berkeley for his
remaining two years of high school.  He ran 1:50.19 as a junior on June 7, 1980.  The two fastest high
schoolers of all-time Pete Richardson and Dale Scott went to the same high school.  Scott went to college at
Washington State.

Pete Richardson was a three-time All-American at Arizona State. 

Arizona State Men's Track and Field All-Americans

1982  John Lenstrom                   400mIH      

      Pete Richardson                 2 mile relay*         

      Treg Scott                      2 mile relay*

      Eddie Davis                     2 mile relay*         

      Mike Schwarz                    2 mile relay*

1983  Pete Richardson                 800m

      Deon Mayfield                   TJ         

      Bernard Mathis                  4x400m

      McArthur Osborne                4x400m

      Michael Sullivan                4x400m

      Kent Gapen                      4x400m

1984  Eddie Davis                     1000m*         

      Pete Richardson                 800m        

http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/c-track/archive/asu-c-track-mallamerica.html

On June 19, 1984 in the Los Angeles Coliseum Pete Richardson (Arizona State) placed seventh in the final of the
U.S. Olympic Trials 800 meters in 1:46.64.  James Robinson (ICAC), Kenny Robinson’s brother, was fourth in
1:43.92.  The top three finishers qualified for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

1984 U.S. Olympic Trials
Los Angeles Coliseum
800 Meters – June 19, 17.50 Hr
1. Earl Jones (En Mich) 1:43.74 AR
2. Johnny Gray (SMTC) 1:43.74 AR
3. John Marshall (Vill) 1:43.92
4. James Robinson (ICAC) 1:43.92
5. Don Paige (AA) 1:45.17
6. Stanley Redwine (AW) 1:45.32
7. Pete Richardson (Az St) 1:46.64
8. Eugene Sanderes (Bud) 1:47.05

Pete Richardson’s national high school record lasted six years.  On June 13, 1987 George Kersh (Pearl, MS)
won the Golden West Invitational 800 meters in Sacramento in 1:46.58.

Richardson’s state meet record lasted 15 years.  On May 31, 1996 Michael Granville (Bell Gardens, S) won
heat one of the State Meet in 1:46.41, a national record.

Richardson is the #3 U.S. performer of all-time with the #4 performance.  He is also the #2 California performer
of all-time with the #2 performance.

Men’s All-Time Outdoor List Through 2006
800 Meters
1:46.45 Michael Granville (Bell Gardens, CA) 96
1:46.58 George Kersh (Pearl, MS) 87
1:47.29            Kersh 87
1:47.31 Pete Richardson (Berkeley, CA) 81
1:47.74 Alan Webb (South Lakes, Reston, VA) 01
1:47.76            Kersh 87
1:47.84            Kersh 87
1:47.90            Granville 96
1:47.9+ Dale Scott (El Cerrito, CA) 72
1:47.94            Granville 96

Johnny Langerston went to Mt. San Antonio College and Cal State Northridge. Although Langerston was just
an alternate on Berkeley High’s national record setting 4x400 team, he did get a chance in college to be part of a
record setting team. Langerston was a member of the 1984 Cal State Northridge 4x400 relay of E. Lietz,
Charles Allen, Johnny Langerston, and Keith Copeland that set a school record of 3:10.61.

1600m (4:18.2)
4:22.3 –Pete Richardson 1) dual vs. South Eugene, Edwards Stadium 3/26

3000 Meters
9:07.00 –Aubrey Wilson 11) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13

3200 Meters (9:21.4) 
9:00.42 –Aubrey Wilson 8) State Meet, Cerritos, 6/6
9:14.2 –Aubrey Wilson 4) NCS 5/30

photo by Keith Conning
Aubrey Wilson - 9:00.42 3200 star for the Yellojacket 1981 team

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Men’s 3200 Meters Run`
State Record: 8:44.9 (2 miles) Eric Hulst (Laguna Beach, Ca) 1975
National Record: 8:41.5 (2 miles) Steve Prefontaine (Marshfield, OR) 1969
All-Time Record: 8:36.3n (2 miles) Jeff Nelson (Burbank, Ca), Pepsi Inv., Westwood, CA, 5/6/79
1. -Jon Butler (Edison, S) 8:46.78
2. -Jay Marden (Mission San Jose, NC) 8:51.64
3. -Jesse Torres (Independence, CC) 8:52.11
4. -Mike Carlton (Northview, S) 8:52.80
5. *Harold Kuphaldt (Bella Vista, SJ) 8:54.78
6. -Mike McCullum (Palo Alto, CC) 8:56.11
7. -Dave Shea (Castro Valley, NC) 8:58.49
8. -Aubrey Wilson (Berkeley, NC) 9:00.42
9. **Eric Reynolds (Camarillo, S) 9:00.71
10. -Tyrus Deminter (Jefferson, LA) 9:01.08
13. –Shawn Smallwood (Corcoran, C) 9:01.9
16. *Brian Abshire (De Anza, NC) 9:08.6

Aubrey Wilson was injured during the first part of the 1981 season.  I don’t believe that he ran against
South Eugene on March 26.  He made a remarkable recovery under the direction of coach Willie White. 
Wilson was fourth in the North Coast Section in 1980 in 9:19.6.  He went to UC Santa Barbara.

On July 22, 1988 Brian Abshire (Athletics West) won the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials 3000 meters
steeplechase in Indianapolis, Indiana in 8:23.64.

110 Meters High Hurdles (14.6h, 14.84 FAT)
14.80 –Walter Murray 5) North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
Hand-timed:
14.2 -Walter Murray dual vs. DeAnza 4/2
Wind-aided
14.1 -Walter Murray 1) dual vs. South Eugene, Berkeley, 3/26

photo by Don Gosney
Walter Murray finishes his State Meet Finals run and win!!

300 Meter Low Hurdles (30”) (38.54 FAT, 38.3h)
35.79 –Walter Murray 1) State Meet Heat 1, Cerritos College, Norwalk 6/5 (National Best)[Old best
35.6 **Darrin Hill (Middletown, Oh) 78]
36.26 –Walter Murray 1) State Meet 6/6
37.09 –Walter Murray 2) Arcadia Invitational 5/2
Hand-timed:
36.7 –Walter Murray 1) dual vs. JFK 5/7
36.8 –Walter Murray 1) North Coast Section 5/30
37.6 Walter Murray 1) dual vs. South Eugene 3/26

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
300 Meters Hurdles (30”)
State Record: 36.2 (330 yards LH) Dedy Cooper (Harry Ells, Richmond 1975)
National Record: 35.9 (yards) William Blessing (Hillcrest, Dallas, TX) 1974
All-Time Record: 35.6 (300 LH) **Darrin Hill (Middletown, OH) 78
1. -Walter Murray (Berkeley, NC) 36.26
2. -James Knowles (Blair, S) 36.57
3. -Bruce Mitchell (El Camino, SD) 36.67
4. *Steve Kerho (Mission Viejo, S) 36.68
5. -Ron Seanez (Gilroy, CC) 36.71
6. -Chris Chrisman (Riverside Poly, S) 36.93
7. -Ken Brajevich (Poway, SD) 37.14
8. -Wayne Carroll (Muir, S) 37.18
9. -Brian Bradshaw (Lakewood, S) 37.36
Heats June 5, 1981:
I: 1. Murray 35.79 (National Record), 2. Knowles 36.09

Walter Murray was an All-American football player at the University of Hawaii and played two years
with the Indianapolis Colts 1986-87.  Unfortunately, Hawaii did not have a track team.

Walter C. Murray
Position: WR
Height: 6' 4'' Weight: 200
Born: 12/13/1962, in Berkeley, CA, USA
High School: Berkeley (CA)S
College: Hawaii
http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=MURRAWAL01

400 Hurdles
52.7 Walter Murray 2) Golden West Invitational, Sacramento 6/13

4x100 (42.8m)
40.86 (*Stoney McCree, -Ken Robinson, -Charles Clewis, -Walter Murray) 1) State Meet, Norwalk 6/6
40.93 2) State Meet Heat 2
41.71 (Murray, Robinson, Clewis, McCree) 1) King 3/28
42.99 (Murray, Robinson, Clewis, McCree) Cordova Relays 3/14
Hand-timed:
41.1 (McCree, Robinson, Clewis, Murray) 1) NCS Trials 5/29
41.2 (U. Walker, Robinson, Clewis, Murray) 1) Capital Inv., Sacramento 4/25
41.2 5/24
41.5 1) North Coast Section 5/30
41.6 (Murray, Robinson, Clewis, McCree) 1) dual vs. South Eugene 3/26

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Men’s 400 Meter Relay
State Record: 41.0 (440 yards) (Farmer, Whitaker, Kirtman, Walker) Wilson, San Francisco, CA 1973.
National Record: 40.2 (440 yards) (John Delley, Joe Pouncy, Rufus Shaw, Gene Pouncy) Lincoln, Dallas, TX; Austin,
TX; 1970.
All-Time Record: 40.76 Ball, Galveston, TX, Pasadena, TX, 4/27/79 (Eddie Terry, Keith Meyers, Elliston Stinson,
Vincent Courville)
40.4 Killeen, TX; Austin, TX; 4/10/80 (Gerald McNeil, Harris Mouton, Fred Nichols, John Walker)
1. Berkeley, NC (*Stoney McCree, -Ken Robinson, -Ulysee Walker, -Walter Murray) 40.86 Meet Record
2. Muir, S (*Ron Brown, Anderson, Mills, *Bernard Mathis) 41.26
3. Dorsey, LA (K. Williams, Boles, F. Williams, -Calvin Jackson) 41.49
4. Fremont, LA (Norris, Horace Beard, Callahan, Stockman) 41.54
5. Oakland, O (*Antwine, Jones, Nails, Porter) 41.58
6. Washington, LA (Allen, Cooper, Green, Walker) 41.60
7. Cordova, SJ (Harris, Callender, *Kevin Wilhite, Johnson) 41.71
8. LB Poly, S (Howard, James, Person, Townsend) 42.47
Heats June 5:
Heat 2:
1. Dorsey (Boles, F. Williams, K. Williams, Jackson) 40.92 Meet Record
2. Berkeley 40.93
3. Fremont 41.45

Note: There is a discrepancy as to who ran the third leg for Berkeley in the state meet.  I have Charles Clewis in
my records, but Tom Casacky and Bill Peck have Ulysee Walker in their new book. 

Coach White put his fastest runner on the second leg, so that he could run the longest distance.  He would
anchor with someone that didn’t like to lose.

photo by Don Gosney
The Berkeley National Record 4x400 group

4x400 Meters (3:22.9)
3:08.94 (Ulysee Walker 48.8, Pete Richardson 46.7, Walter Murray 47.1, Robinson 46.3) 1) State Meet,
Cerritos College, Norwalk; 6/6 (National Record)
[Old national record 3:10.37 Centennial, Compton; State Meet, Berkeley 6/7/80]
3:11.7 (Langerston 49.0, Richardson 47.8, Murray 47.2, U. Walker 47.7) 1) NCS 5/30
3:12.10 (Walker, Richardson, Murray, Robinson) 1) State Meet Heat 3, Cerritos College, Norwalk 6/5
3:21.4 (Clewis 52.2, Richardson 49.6, Murray 49.7, Walker 49.7) 1) dual vs. South Eugene 3/26

4x440 Yards (3:24.0)
3:14.0y (Langerston 49.4, Richardson 48.5, Walker 48.7, Robinson 47.4) 1) King 3/28
3:16.5y (Langerston, Richardson, Walker, Robinson) 1) King heat 3/28
3:22.1y (McCree, Richardson, Langerston, Murray) Cordova Relays 3/14

David Timmons (Oakland, O), the 1981 State Meet 400 meter champion in 47.09, anchored his team in
45.8, the fastest split of all the relay runners.  Timmons ran 46.0 for Cal in 1982.

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6
1600 Meter Relay
State Record: 3:10.37 Centennial, Compton, CA @ Berkeley, CA 6/7/80
(Leonard Graham 47.5, Tim Ware 48.1, Rufus Jackson 48.1, Michael Turner 46.7) (Centennial, CA) 1980
National Record: Same
1. Berkeley, NC (-Ulysee Walker 48.8, -Pete Richardson 46.7, -Walter Murray 47.1, -Ken Robinson
46.3) 3:08.94 National Record
2. LB Poly, S (James 48.7, Callier 47.3, **Howard 48.1, Victor Townsend 46.8) 3:11.10
3. Centennial, S (Jones 50.0, Ware 47.4, Pinchback 48.9, Leonard Graham 46.5) 3:11.81
4. Muir, S (Carroll 49.3, *Mathis 48.1, *Anderson 48.2, Ron Brown 46.9) 3:12.45
5. Oakland, O (Nails 50.5, Williams 47.1, Flowers 49.2, David Timmons 45.8) 3:12.54
6. Pasadena, S (Mimms 49.6, *Ward 48.5, Catimon 47.6, *Delemar 46.9) 3:12.84
7. Washington, LA (Green, Richie, Allen, *Fabian Cooper) 3:14.57
8. Crenshaw, LA (Taylor, Osborne, Gardner, Crittenden) 3:16.10
9. Cordova, SJ (Harris, Black, *Wilhite, Callendar) 3:17.39
Heats June 5
Heat 3
1. Berkeley (Walker, Richardson, Murray, Robinson) 3:12.10

Coach White put Pete Richardson on the second leg in order to get the team out of heavy traffic and give them a big lead.

The 1981 Berkeley 4x400 team had three of the top ten performances in the U.S.

1981 U.S. Outdoor List
4x400
3:08.94 Berkeley, CA
3:11.10 Poly, Long Beach, CA
3:11.2 Roosevelt, Dallas, TX
3:11.7 Berkeley, CA
3:11.8 South Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX
3:11.81 Centennial, Compton, CA
3:12.10 Berkeley, CA
3:12.2 South Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX
3:12.45 Muir, Pasadena, CA
3:12.54 Oakland, CA

The 1981 Berkeley 4x400 team is still the #5 performer with the #7 performance on the all-time list 25 years later.

Men’s All-Time Outdoor List Through 2006
4x400
3:07.40 Hawthorne, CA 85
3:08.55 West Brook, Beaumont, TX 94
3:08.66 Muir, Pasadena, CA 96
3:08.72 Muir, Pasadena, CA 97
3:08.75            Muir 96
3:08.92            Muir 96
3:08.94 Berkeley, CA 81
3:09.00 Roosevelt, Dallas, TX 84
3:09.09            Roosevelt 84
3:09.40+ Johnson, Austin, TX 91

Sprint Medley (200, 200, 400, 800)
3:21.1m (Charles Clewis 21.8, Walter Murray 21.1, Ken Robinson 47.5, Pete Richardson 1:50.7) 1)
Capital Invitational, Sacramento, 4/25
[Old records 3:23.5m Compton (Rod Barksdale 21.8, Nathan Davis 21.2, Jiles Smith 48.6, Eddie Davis
1:52.4) Walnut 4/18/80;
3:23.3y Spring Branch Memorial, Houston, TX; Houston, TX; 4/8/67 (Scooter Carson 22.7, Steve Brake 21.8,
Rusty Brents 48.6, Dave Morton 1:50.6)]

Pete Richardson (Berkeley) and Eddie Davis (Compton) were later teammates at Arizona State.  They were
All-Americans on the 4x800 relay in 1982 and they still hold the track record at their school

Joe Selleh Track Records at Arizona State

Men's Records

4x800m relay:    Pete Richardson, Eddie Davis,

                 Treg Scott, Mike Stahr (Arizona State)        7:08.96     1984

http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/c-track/archive/asu-c-track-sellehrec.html
Dave Morton (Spring Branch Memorial, Houston, TX), who anchored the sprint medley, is the fifth fastest
800 meter runner in Texas High School history.
Texas High School
Boys All-Time Top 10
800 meters

http://texastrack.com/boys_hs_top_10.htm

John Drew (Spring Branch Memorial, Houston, Texas), number two on the Texas High School All-Time List,
ran the 800 meters in 1:48.04 for the University of California at Berkeley in 1971.  Drew loved the eclectic
nature of Telegraph Avenue to the south of the U.C. campus.  It was a long way from Houston.

Telegraph Avenue
New York has Greenwich Village, London has Soho, San Francisco has Haight-Ashbury, and Berkeley has
Telegraph Avenue. Telegraph is always bustling with eccentric and eclectic Berkeley activities and peoples.
It was even voted "the best place to people watch" by the San Francisco Chronicle. It's filled with some of
the best music stores in the country, some great used clothing stores, excellent new and used bookstores and
countless restaurants and cafes, some of which double as popular music venues. You'll also find lively street
performers and vendors selling tie die clothing, jewelry, pottery, and various other arts and crafts. Telegraph's
north end leads directly into UC Berkeley's Sproul Plaza. Telegraph is a must-see neighborhood if you're
exploring the treasures of Berkeley and want to catch a glimpse of  what gives the city its wonderfully
eccentric reputation.  
 http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/coolthings/streets/telegraph.html
Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States.  Houston is
internationally known for its energy—particularly oil—and aeronautics industries, and for its ship channel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston,_Texas

Long Jump (22-6)
22-3 ½ -Marcus McDade  Source: Oakland Tribune List 4/18

photo Don Gosney
Sharon Ware - third from right - Start of State Meet 1981

GIRLS

100 Meters
11.59 –Sharon Ware 1) Bruce Jenner Classic, San Jose, 4/10
11.65 (+1.48) –Sharon Ware 2) Junior TAC, Westwood 6/30
(See HIGH SCHOOL TRACK 1982, Jack Shepard, page 62)
11.66 (+0.5) –Sharon Ware 1) State Meet 6/6
11.68 (-0.93) –Sharon Ware 3) Junior TAC, Westwood 7/1
Wind-aided:
11.50 –Sharon Ware 1) State Meet Heat 1 6/5
11.70 (+2.18mps) **Nedrea Rodgers 1) Junior Olympics 8/2
11.81 –Sharon Ware 1) Bruce Jenner Classic Heat, San Jose, 4/10
11.86 –Sharon Ware 1) North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
11.86 **Nedrea Rodgers 3) State Meet Heat 2 6/5
12.04 (+0.5) **Nedrea Rodgers 5) State Meet 6/6
12.07 (+3.84) -Tanaya King 4) State Meet Heat 3 6/5
12.11 **Nedrea Rodgers 2) Quicksilver 5/9
12.37 **Nedrea Rodgers 2) NYL 4/3
Hand-timed:
11.7 **Nedrea Rodgers Oakland Tribune list 4/7
11.7 **Nedrea Rodgers 2) NCS 4A 5/23
11.8 –Sharon Ware All-Comers 2/14
11.9 –Robyne Johnson 1) Pinole 4/8
11.9 –Sharon Ware 1) North Coast Section 5/30
12.0 **Nedrea Rodgers 1) JFK 5/7
12.1 –Sherifa Sanders 2) Pinole 4/8
12.1 -Tanaya King 2) JKF 5/7
12.1 -Tanaya King 5/23
12.1 **Nedrea Rodgers 2) NCS 5/30
Wind-aided:
11.5 –Sharon Ware 1) Fairfield 3/26
12.1 **Nedrea Rodgers 2) Fairfield 3/26

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6
Women’s 100 Meters (+0.48 mps)
State Record: 11.42 Sharon Ware (Berkeley, CA) 1980
National Record: 11.42 Sharon Ware (Berkeley, CA) 1980
All-Time Record: 11.13 (+1.95) Chandra Cheeseborough (Ribault, Jacksonville, FL) 2) U.S. Olympic Trials, Eugene,
Oregon 6/21/76
1. -Sharon Ware (Berkeley, NC) 11.66
2. *Denean Howard (Kennedy, S) 11.83
3. -Tamela Holland (Manual Arts, LA) 11.85
4. *La Tanya Dawkins (Dorsey, LA) 11.92
5. **Nedrea Rodgers (Berkeley, NC) 12.04
6. **Lisa Winston (Jordan, S) 12.18
7. *Gurtha Pounds (Live Oak, CC) 12.25
8. -Ellen Jones (Mt. Miguel, SD) 12.43
*Zelda Johnson (Garey, S) DNR
Heats June 5
Heat One (+2.45)
1. –Sharon Ware (Berkeley, NC) 11.50w
2. LaTanya Dawkins (Dorsey, LA) 11.84w
3. Ellen Jones (Mt. Miguel, SD) 11.97w
Heat 2 (NWI)
1. –Tamela Holland (Manual Arts, LA) 11.70
2. *Zelda Johnson (Garey, S) 11.70
3. **Nedrea Rodgers (Berkeley, NC) 11.86
Heat 3 (+3.84)
1. *Denean Howard (Kennedy, S) 11.64w
2. *Gurtha Pounds (Live Oak, CC) 11.81
3. **Lisa Winston (Jordan, S) 11.89
4. –Tanaya King (Berkeley, NC) 12.07

As a junior Sharon Ware ran the 100 meters in 11.34 at the TAC National Junior on June 17, 1980.  She had the
29th fastest time in the world among all women!

Ware was an All-American in the 100 meters at Arizona State in 1983.

All-Americans 

Women

1983: Leslie Deniz (DS)

      Sharon Ware (100m)

      Sabrina Stern (3,000m)

http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/c-track/archive/asu-c-track-accol.html

Ware was a three-time Western Collegiate Conference champion in the 100 meters 
for Arizona State.  She was also a member of two conference winning relay teams.

 Conference Champions 

Women

Western Collegiate (20) 

1984: Dodie Campbell, JT (51.86/170-2)

      Lynn Nelson, 10,000m (34:24.9)

      Anna Van, TJ (12.38/40-7.5)

      Sharon Ware, 100m (11.73)

      4x100m relay (Marbella Washington, Anna Van, Teri Chapple, Sharon Ware/45.1)

1983: Leslie Deniz, DS (61.04/200-3)

      Sharon Ware, 100m (11.45)

      4x100m relay (Terri Chapple, Sharon Ware, Marbella Washington, Anna Van/45.19)

1982: Dodie Campbell, JT (49.50/162-5)

      Teri Chapple, 200m (24.00)

      Sharon Ware, 100m (11.6)

http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/c-track/archive/asu-c-track-accol.html

200 Meters (25.5h 25.74 FAT)
23.88m (-1.08mps) **Nedrea Rodgers 1) Junior Olympics 8/2
24.17m(-1.2) –Sharon Ware 3) State Meet 6/6
24.33m (+1.96) **Nedrea Rodgers 4) JUNIOR TAC heat 3 6/30
24.62m –Sharon Ware 1) Arcadia Inv. 5/2
25.11m **Nedrea Rodgers 5/2
Wind-aided:
24.04m (3.2mps) –Sharon Ware 1) Quicksilver 5/9
24.26m **Nedrea Rodgers 2) Quicksilver 5/9
24.26m –Sharon Ware 1) State Meet Heat 2 6/6
Hand-timed:
24.3m **Nedrea Rodgers 5/23
24.8m –Sharon Ware 1) North Coast Section 5/30
25.0m –Sharon Ware All-Comers 2/14
25.3m –Tanaya King All-Comers 2/14
25.3m **Nedrea Rodgers Intra-squad 3/6
25.3m –Tanaya King 2) De Anza 4/2
25.5m **Nedrea Rodgers All-Comers 2/7
25.5m **Lana Rice All-Comers 2/14
25.5m –Robyne Johnson 1) dual vs. Pinole 4/8
Wind-aided
24.5m **Nedrea Rodgers 1) Capital Inv., Sacramento 4/25

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Women’s 200 Meters (Wind: -1.13 mps)
State Record: 23.19 Sherri Howard (Kennedy, CA) 1980
National Record: 23.19 Sherri Howard (Kennedy, CA) 1980
All-Time Record: 22.77A Chandra Cheeseborough (Ribault, Jacksonville, FL) Mexico City, Mexico 10/16/75
1. *Denean Howard (Kennedy, LA) 23.73
2.  *Latanya Dawkins (Dorsey, LA) 24.10
3. -Sharon Ware (Berkeley, NC) 24.17
4. -Rhonda Robinson (San Carlos, CC) 24.94
5. **Diane Pullins (Muir, S) 24.97
6. *Gurtha Pounds (Live Oak, CC) 24.98
7. **Lisa Winston (Jordan, S) 25.18
8. *Antoinette Munns (Manual Arts, LA) 26.00
9. *Ellen Jones (Mt. Miguel, SD) 26.02
Heat: June 5, 1981
Heat 2 Wind-aided
1. –Sharon Ware (Berkeley, NC) 24.26w

photo by Don Gosney
Lana Rice

400 Meters (58.2h)
56.78 **Lana Rice 4) State Meet Heat 1 6/5
56.85 **Lana Rice 1) North Yosemite League 4/3
57.53 –Tanaya King 4) State Meet Heat 3 6/5
58.08 –Tanaya King 4) Quicksilver 5/9
58.12 –Tanaya King 2) NYL 4/3
Hand-timed:
55.5 **Lana Rice 2) NCS Trials 5/29
55.7 **Lana Rice 2) NCS 5/30
55.9 **Lana Rice 1) NCS 4A 5/23
56.5 **Lana Rice 1) dual vs. De Anza 4/2
56.7 –Tanaya King 2) NCS Trials 5/29
56.8 –Tanaya King 3) NCS 4A 5/23
56.9 –Tanaya King 1) NCS 4A trials 5/21
56.9 –Tanaya King 3) NCS 5/30
57.9 **Lana Rice 1) Fairfield 3/26

800 Meters (2:19.2)
2:15.0 *Doniece Johnson 1) Capital Inv., Sacramento 4/25
2:15.2 *Doniece Johnson 2) North Coast Section 6/5
2:17.3 **Nerissa Paul 6) NCS 5/30
2:18.25 *Doniece Johnson 7) State Meet Heat 2 6/5

I will always remember Doniece Johnson for a famous incident at the Stanford Cross Country Invitational. 
Johnson was responsible for Stanford putting a John Deere vehicle in front of its cross country races. 
Johnson led the race off the course on the back nine. 

It reminded me of the famous misdirection play by Roy Riegels in the 1929 Rose Bowl game.  The fumble
return 60-yard dash by California's Hall of Famer "Wrong Way" Roy Riegals during the 1929 Rose Bowl
game. Riegals' inadvertent score for Georgia Tech resulted in Cal's defeat, 8-7.

1500 Meters (4:53)
4:45.0 **Heather Watkins 1) Quicksilver 5/9
4:48.1 **Heather Watkins 2) Capital 4/25

1600 Meters (5:13.2)
5:05.7 **Heather Watkins 1) JFK 5/7

3000 Meters (10:45)
10:32.1 **Heather Watkins 1) King Sec. B 3/28

Sherifa Sanders (left) battles with Dorsey's Aladrian Hunter at State Meet
Sanders was the 13.74 winner

100 Meter Hurdles (15.0)
13.71 (+1.5) –Sherifa Sanders 1) State Meet heat 1 6/5 (Meet record)
13.74 (+1.8) –Sherifa Sanders 1) State Meet 6/6
13.88 (+1.8) –Robyne Johnson 3) State Meet 6/6
14.09 (1.2mps) -Sherifa Sanders 1) North Yosemite League 4/3
14.25 –Robyne Johnson 2) Quicksilver 5/9
14.41 **Ruth Whitehead 3) National Age Group 14-15 7/6
14.42 ***Yvette Bates 4) National Age Group 7/6
14.43 –Robyne Johnson 3) Arcadia Inv. 5/2
14.43 (+1.8) **Ruth Whitehead 7) State Meet 6/6
14.54 **Ruth Whitehead 3) Quicksilver 5/9
14.55 ***Yvette Bates 4) Quicksilver 5/9
14.63 (1.2mps) ***Yvette Bates 2) NYL 4/3
Wind-aided:
13.99 (+4.0) –Robyne Johnson 2) State Meet Heat 2 6/5
14.10 (+2.05mps) ***Yvette Bates 1) Junior Olympics 8/2
14.18 (+4.0mps) –Robyne Johnson 1) Quicksilver heat 5/9
14.23 (+5.2) **Ruth Whitehead 3) State Meet Heat 3 6/5
14.37 (+2.05mps) **Ruth Whitehead 4) Junior Olympics 8/2
14.45 –Robyne Johnson 2) Bruce Jenner Classic heat 4/10
14.53 (+3.4mps) ***Yvette Bates 1) Quicksilver heat 5/9
Hand-timed:
14.1 **Ruth Whitehead Junior Olympics Hayward 7/11
14.2 –Sherifa Sanders 1) North Coast Section 5/
14.4 –Robyne Johnson 1) De Anza 4/2
14.4 ***Yvette Bates 2) De Anza 4/2
14.6 –Sherifa Sanders All-Comers 2/14
14.6 **Ruth Whitehead 1) Pinole 4/8
14.6 –Robyne Johnson North Coast Section 5/
14.6 **Ruth Whitehead North Coast Section 5/
14.7 **Ruth Whitehead 3) De Anza 4/2
14.8 **Nedrea Rodgers 2) Pinole 4/8
Wind-aided:
13.5 –Sherifa Sanders 1) NCS 4A 5/23
13.6 –Sherifa Sanders 1) Capital 4/25
14.1 **Ruth Whitehead 3) NCS 4A trials 5/21
14.3 –Sherifa Sanders 1) Fairfield 3/26

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Women’s 100 M Low Hurdles (Wind: +1.74 mps)
State Record: 13.83 (110 yards) Kris Costello (Lynbrook, CA), 1978
National Record: 13.6 Carol Lewis (Willingboro, NJ) 1980
All-Time Record: 110yH (30”) 13.30 Candy Young (Beaver Falls, PA) Lincoln, NB 8/13/77
1. –Sherifa Sanders (Berkeley, NC) 13.74
2. -Aldrian Hunter (Dorsey, LA) 13.80
3. -Robyne Johnson (Berkeley, NC) 13.88
4. -Sharri Pendleton (Fremont, LA) 14.07
5. *Zona Chandler (Elsinore, S) 14.27
6. –Laura Mills (University, S) 14.31
7. **Ruth Whitehead (Berkeley, NC) 14.43
8. –Tracy Scott (Crawford, SD) 14.60
-Val Flemmings (Northgate, NC) DNF
Heat 1 (+1.44 mps) June 5, 1981
1. –Sherifa Sanders (Berkeley, NC) 13.71 State Record
Heat 2 (+3.98mps)
1. –Val Flemmings (Northgate, NC) 13.85w
2. –Robyne Johnson (Berkeley, NC) 13.99w
Heat 3 (+2.24 mps)
1. Aldrian Hunter (Dorsey, LA) 13.91w
2. –Laura Mills (University, S) 14.08w
3. **Ruth Whitehead (Berkeley, NC) 14.23w

300 Meter Low Hurdles (30”) (48.0m 48.2y)
42.37 –Sherifa Sanders 2) State Meet 6/6
43.10 –Sherifa Sanders 1) State Meet Heat 3 6/5
44.66 –Robyne Johnson 4) Arcadia Inv. 5/2
45.17y **Ruth Whitehead 1) Quicksilver Section 5/9
46.02 ***Yvette Bates 6) Arcadia Inv. 5/2
Hand-Timed:
42.9 –Sherifa Sanders 1) North Coast Section 5/30
43.9 –Sherifa Sanders 1) JFK 5/7
44.5 –Sherifa Sanders 1) De Anza 4/2
45.7 –Robyne Johnson 2) Fairfield 3/26
45.9 –Robyne Johnson All-Comers 1/10
46.6 ***Yvette Bates All-Comers 1/10
47.2 **Ruth Whitehead 1) Pinole 4/8

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Women’s 300 Meters Low Hurdles (30 inches)
State Record: New Event
National Record: 41.91 Gayle Kellon (Walnut, Ca) 1981 Pending
1. –Aubrey Williams (Saugus, S) 42.25
2. –Sherifa Sanders (Berkeley, NC) 42.37
3. **Gail Kellon (Walnut, S) 42.57
4. –Cynthia Cooper (Locke, LA) 43.13
5. –Margaret Demorest (Buschser, CC) 43.17
6. –Lynn Bevan (Miramonte, NC) 43.96
7. –Kathy Halpin (Livermore, NC) 44.15
8. –Val Flemmings (Northgate, NC) 44.45
9. **Sharon Hanson (Buena, S) 44.91
Heats June 5
Heat 1
1. **Gail Kellon (Walnut, S) 42.41
2. –Lynn Bevan (Miramonte, NC) 43.56
Heat 2
1. –Margaret Demorest (Buchser, CC) 43.78
Heat 3
1. –Sherifa Sanders (Berkeley, NC) 43.10
2. –Cynthia Cooper (Locke, LA) 43.26

photo by Don Gosney
Tanaya King and Sharon Ware Berkeley 4x100 Relay

4x100m (49.3)
45.13 (-Tanaya King, -Sharon Ware, -Robyne Johnson, -Nedrea Rodgers) 1) State Meet, Cerritos
College, Norwalk 6/6 National Record
46.27 1) King 3/28
Hand-timed:
45.9 (King, Ware, Johnson, Rodgers) Capital City Inv.
46.3 1) North Coast Section 5/30
46.6 (King, Ware, Johnson, Rodgers) King 3/28
46.7 (Tanaya King, Sharon Ware, Robyne Johnson, Nedrea Rodgers) 1) Fairfield 3/26

4x440y (49.5)
49.15y (-Robyne Johnson, **Lana Rice, ***Yvette Bates, -Sherifa Sanders) Cordova Relays 3/14

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Women’s 400 M Relay
State Record: 45.81 Kennedy, Granada Hills, CA  Berkeley, CA  6/7/80 (Thompson, Howard, Howard,
Howard)
National Record: Same
1. Berkeley, NC (King, Ware, Johnson, Rodgers) 45.13 National Record, State Record
2. Dorsey, LA (Stewart, Peterson, Hunter, Dawkins) 46.14
3. Muir, S (Brown, Bryant, Murray, Pullins) 46.92
4. De Anza, NC (Brandon, Flanagan, Rogers, Ward) 47.18
5. Ganesha, S (Killbrew, McGraw, McNeal, Sellers) 47.28
6. Manual Arts, LA (Jackson, Munns, Stewart, Holland) 47.31
7. Morse, SD (Wade, Pippins, Cottingham, Jackson) 48.84
8. Kennedy, LA (Kim Grant, Howard, Johnson, Howard) 57.01
Garey, S (Green, Johnson, Robinson, Zuniga) Did Not Run
Heats June 5
Heat 3
1. Berkeley, NC 45.90

4x400m (4:03.6)
3:41.33 (**Lana Rice 55.7, -Tanaya King 55.8, -Sherifa Sanders 55.4 , **Nedrea Rodgers 54.4)
3) State Meet 6/6
3:45.18 1) State Meet Heat 1 6/5
3:49.0 (**Lana Rice 57.6, -Tanaya King 56.2, Doniece Johnson 59.8, **Nedrea Rodgers 55.4) 1
) North Coast Section 5/30

4x440y (4:05.0)
3:50.9 2) King Inv. 3/28
3:56.9 (**Lana Rice, -Tanaya King, -Sherifa Sanders, **Nedrea Rodgers) 1) King Heat 3/28

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Women’s 1600 Meters Relay
State Record: 3:37.98 Kennedy, Granada Hills, CA  Berkeley, CA  6/7/80 (Cook, Howard,
Howard, Howard) Kennedy, CA 1980
National Record: Same
1. Kennedy, LA 3:37.71 National Record, State Record
2. Manual Arts, LA 3:39.07
3. Berkeley, NC 3:41.33
4. North Torrence, S 3:47.11
5. Dorsey, LA 3:47.66
6. Crawford, SD 3:49.27
7. Fallbrook, SD 3:53.74
8. Thousand Oaks, S 3:55.0
9. Ganesha, S 3:58.20
Heat June 5
Heat 1
1. Berkeley (Rice, King, Johnson, Rodgers) 3:45.18
Heat 2
1. Manual Arts (Holland, Wright, Jackson, Bonty) 3:41.07
Heat 3
1. Kennedy, LA (Howard, Cook, Johnson, Howard) 3:40.76

High Jump (5-4 ¼)
5-8 *Cheryl Bishop  5/23
5-6 *Cheryl Bishop  King 3/28
5-6 *Cheryl Bishop  4/3
5-6 *Cheryl Bishop 5/2
5-4 *Cheryl Bishop 3) North Coast Section 5/
5-2 *Cheryl Bishop State Meet Trials 6/5

Long Jump (17-6)
19-6 ¾ -Sherifa Sanders 3) Junior TAC, Westwood 7/1 (See HIGH SCHOOL TRACK 1982)
(Carol Lewis (Willingboro, New Jersey) won at 20-11 ¾.)
19-4 1/4 -Sherifa Sanders 1) King 3/28
19-2 –Robyne Johnson 5) Junior TAC, Westwood 7/1
19-0 ¾ -Robyne Johnson 2) King 3/28
18-11 ½ ***Yvette Bates 3) King 3/28
18-4 ***Yvette Bates 5) State Meet 6/6
17-11 ½ -Robyne Johnson Cordova Relays 3/14 ok per Arno Brewer cross wind
17-10 –Robyne Johnson 4) State Meet Qualifying 6/5
17-9 ¾ ***Yvette Bates 5) State Meet Qualifying 6/5
17-7 –Robyne Johnson All-Comers 12/20/80
Wind-Aided:
19-9 –Robyne Johnson 1) North Coast Section 5/30
19-8 –Sherifa Sanders 1) Capital, Sacramento, 4/25
19-7 –Sherifa Sanders 1) North Yosemite League Relays 4/3
19-3 ½ -Robyne Johnson 1) Bruce Jenner Classic, San Jose 4/10
19-1 –Robyne Johnson 1) Fairfield 3/26
19-1 –Sherifa Sanders 2) Fairfield 3/26
18-4 ½ -Robyne Johnson 4) State Meet 6/6
No Wind Information:
18-6 **Yvette Bates 2) North Coast Section 5/30

California State Meet
Cerritos College, Norwalk, June 6, 1981
Women’s Long Jump
State Record: 20-4 ¼ Gwyn Loud (Westchester, CA) 1979
National Record: 22-1 ¾ Kathy McMillan [Hoke County (Home of the Fighting Bucks), Raeford, NC]  1978
http://www.hcs.k12.nc.us/hhs/Default.htm
All-Time Record: 22-3 Kathy McMillan (Hoke County, Raeford, NC)  Westwood, CA  6/21/76
1. –Chris Mose (El Cajon, SD) 18-10 ¼
2. **Vivian Riley (Mt. Pleasant, CC) 18-5 ¾
3. –Yolanda Fletcher (Crenshaw, LA) 18-4 ¾
4. –Robyne Johnson (Berkeley, NC) 18-4 1/2w (18-4 ¼ wind legal)
5. ***Yvette Bates (Berkeley, NC) 18-4
6. –Sabrina Williams (Valley Christian, S) 18-3 3/4w (18-2 ½ wind legal)
7. –Maggie Van Zeeland (Acalanes, NC) 18-2
8. –Janice Padmore (Galileo, O/SF) 17-2 ½ (Oakland and San Francisco received one entry)
9. *Shawn Lawson (Crawford, SD) 15-1 ¾
Trials June 5, 1981
4. –Robyne Johnson (Berkeley, NC) 17-10
5. ***Yvette Bates (Berkeley, NC) 17-9 3/4

Robyne Johnson is the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Boston University.  Her biography is
available online at:
http://www.bu.edu/athletics/crosscountry-track-field/men/bios/johnson-robyne.shtml

Sources: 

The California State High School Track and Field Meet 1915-2006, by Tom Casacky 
and Bill Peck.

C.I.F. STATE TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS, Cerritos College, June 5 & 6, 1981, OFFICIAL PROGRAM 

Highlights of the California State Track Meet 1915-1975, by Donn B. Kirk, David M. Cooper, and Keith R. Conning.
http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/STATE_BK/statehis.htm
(Donn B. Kirk and David M. Cooper were scientists at the NASA Ames Research Laboratory in California.)

High School Sports History: California State Meet 1915-1992, by Bruce McIntosh, Rick Obrand and Bill Peck (1993)

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ANNUAL 1957, by Dick Bank.

HIGH SCHOOL TRACK 1980-2007, by Jack Shepard.

THE HISTORY OF THE U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS – TRACK & FIELD 1908-2000, by Richard Hymans ATFS

NORTH COAST SECTION TRACK AND FIELD ALL-TIME LIST THROUGH 2006, by Keith Conning, North
Coast Section Historian.
http://hometown.aol.com/conning/myhomepage/index.html