300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles:
1984 to 1999
(updated June 23, 1999)
History of long hurdle event:
1915 to 1946: Boys ran national championship distance of 220 yards over hurdles, with ten
low hurdles (30-inch height) spaced each 20 yards apart. In those days, the 220 yard low
hurdles was a regular event at the NCAA and AAU championship meets. During the same time,
California high school boys also ran the international hurdles (42-inches) for the highs.
It was common for the 220 hurdles (and the open 220) to be run on a straight track.
1947 to 1974:
In 1947, both hurdle events were tailored for high schoolers, with the highs coming down
to 39-inches, and the distance for the longer race being shortened to 180 yards. The low
hurdles were still spaced at twenty yards, but the last two barriers were eliminated, as
well as the last 40 yards of the race. Younger competitors (Bs and Cs) would run 120-yard
low hurdles, over five barriers.
By the 1950s, the 220 yards low hurdles as a national and
collegiate distance began to be phased out, and the national championships began to
incorporate the 400 meter or 440 yard intermediates in Olympic Year championship meets,
putting national events, and Olympic preparation, well out of whack with what high
schoolers were running.
A quick sidebar: up until the mid 1960s, California high schoolers very
often ran races of up to 220 yards on a straightaway, including the hurdles. Many schools
had 220 straights as part of their layout, and those that didn't were often able to
accomodate a straight run of 180 yards for the hurdle events. One notable exception was
Balboa Stadium, the most popular site for the CIF Finals in that era.
The 180 lows placed a premium on top speed, and much less on hurdle
technique, although it was important to get seven steps between the barriers. It was
common to see top 100-yard dash talents double back in the 180 lows (San Diego's Charlie
Sanford in 1963 and Oceanside's Larry Crayton in 1968 each both won CIF titles at the 100
and 180 LH).
1975 to 1980:
In 1975, the high school boys began to run the 330 low
hurdles (30-inch height), with hurdle spacings at the international standard for the 400
meter race. 1980 to 1983: In 1980, high school distances went metric, so the 330 lows
became the 300 meter lows. Then, as now, a few schools still run yard distances for dual
meets.
1984 to present:
In 1984, the hurdle height was raised to 36 inches for California
preps (much of the rest of the country was already running that height before then), which
is the international intermediate height.
It is interesting to note that the current race was not designed for
300 meters distance, and that the finish line was rather arbitrarily imposed at the 300
meter point, which is just past the final hurdle of the race, giving the athletes
absolutely no recovery from any irregularity on the final clearance. Contrast that with
the long run-in enjoyed at the international distance of 400 meter hurdles. Obviously, the
powers that be just decided to take the easiest method to shorten the race, without regard
to the rhythm of the event.
A further observation: it is probable that this race has not yet fully
evolved (some would say mutated). Keep in mind that it has changed from 220 yard low
hurdles to 180 yard low hurdles to 330 yard low hurdles to 300 meter low hurdles to 300
meter intermediate hurdles. The event evolved into four very different races in a span of
less than forty years -- and that is not even taking into account such things as straight
and curved layouts. It is forseeable that it will eventually become a full-fledged 400
meter intermediate hurdle race, possibly after a few years of being run at 400 meters over
low hurdles.
Incidentally, in many lower-class competitions (such as junior varsity
or frosh), younger athletes often compete at 200 meters over hurdles, almost bringing this
event full circle from its origins. (One difference: the hurdles are now spaced as
intermediates)
ALL TIME LIST:
Hand-times were converted to automatic equivalent by adding 0.14 seconds; original
time follows name and year. Yard times were converted to metric times by subtracting 0.2
seconds.
>From guidebooks, augmented by results
1 to 10:
36.44 Kevin Jones, Mount Miguel, 1988
36.82 Felix Sanchez, University City, 1995
36.98 Tony Golston, Point Loma, 1999, State final, Sacramento
37.00 Tracy Smith, Rancho Buena Vista, 6-7-97, State, Cerritos
37.04h Keith Williams, Escondido, 1991 (36.9h -- Best auto time: 37.28)
37.20 Jay Taylor, St. Augustine, 1985
37.22 Reggie DePass, Montgomery, 1996
37.47 Brian Fell, Rancho Bernardo, 1995
37.78 Bobby Salimi, Rancho Bernardo, 1999
37.89 Michael Jones, Morse, 1990
11 to 20:
37.92 Jake Kuritz, Torrey Pines, 1995
37.98 Steve Forte, El Camino, 1994
38.04h Dexter Monroe, Patrick Henry, 1989 (37.9h)
38.05 Terry Herron, Oceanside, 1985
38.24h Travis Knox, San Dieguito, 1985 (38.1h)
38.34h Mario O'Conner, Escondido, 1989 (38.2h)
38.39 Benny Lewis, Mira Mesa, 1990
38.40 Sadat Piggee, Castle Park, 1994
38.44h Osmond Swanegan, Morse, 1986 (38.3h)
38.47 Jimmy Travis, Orange Glen, 5-20-98, CIF prelims
21 to 30:
38.49 Bruce Stone, University City, 1986
38.53 Jason Anderson, San Diego, 1991
38.55 Richard Bravin, Valhalla, 6-6-97, State prelims, Cerritos
38.64 Jerry Black, University City, 1986
38.64h Fred Dunn, Oceanside, 1989 (38.5h)
38.69 Eric Benson, Orange Glen, 1996
38.71 Mark Daynes, El Capitan, 1999
38.73 Terry Ruh, Mount Miguel, 1995
38.74h Jeff Haines, Poway, 1989 (38.6h)
38.75 Joe Gutierrez, Sweetwater, 1999
31 to 40:
38.78 Eddie Bautista, San Pasqual, 1994
38.80 Jeff Hunter, Granite Hills, 1999
38.83 Raymond Wells, Mount Miguel, 5-30-98, Masters
38.93 Chris Ruff, El Capitan, 1990
38.93 Karl Klinger, El Capitan, 1995
38.94h Paco Camarena, Torrey Pines, 1988 (38.8h)
38.94h Sean Sweat, El Camino, 1999 (38.8h)
38.95 Metcalf, Mira Mesa, 1989
38.99 Tedrick Rogers, Monte Vista, 1995
39.08 David Clagett, San Pasqual, 5-30-98, Masters
41 to 50:
39.14h Doug Eagle, Poway, 1986 (39.0h)
39.14h Doug Marugg, Carlsbad, 1987 (39.0h)
39.14h Sean Turner, Oceanside, 1988 (39.0h)
39.14h Cameron Ricks, San Dieguito, 1992 (39.0h)
39.15 Andy Blunt, San Pasqual, 1994
39.17 Brian Elliott, Escondido, 1991
39.23 Jason Gatewood, Rancho Buena Vista, 5-23-98, CIF
39.24 Devin Smith, Helix, 1993
39.25 Ahmed Dents, Mira Mesa, 1991
39.32 Scott Peterson, Torrey Pines, 5-16-97, Avo Finals
51 to 60:
39.39 Dave Burton, Mt. Carmel, 1988
39.42 Grant Magoffin, Valhalla, 4-5-97, Titan
39.44h Hovis Wade, Hoover, 1988 (39.3h)
39.44h Duane Hill, El Camino, 1994 (39.3h)
39.44h Frans Thomassen, Orange Glen, 1994 (39.3h)
39.46 Chris Morgan, Serra, 1991
39.54h Ken Graves, San Pasqual, 1987 (39.4h)
39.54 Steve Esselman, Poway, 1992
39.54 David Markle, San Diego, 1996
39.56 Karl Stevens, Bonita Vista, 1993
61 to 70 (four-way tie):
39.58 Mike McCall, La Jolla, 1999
39.60 Jon Clark, El Capitan, 1995
39.63 Walter Jefferson, Imperial, 1994
39.64h Wayne Thames, San Marcos, 4-30-97, dual (39.5h)
39.64hc Justin Hunt, Monte Vista, 1999 (39.5h, converted from yards)
39.65 Kyle Conerly, West Hills, 1999
39.68 Charles Harris, Patrick Henry, 1986 (may have a better time)
39.69 Eric Thompson, Fallbrook, 1992
39.71 Mark John, Rancho Buena Vista, 1995
39.74h Eric Bell, Castle Park, 1990 (39.6h)
39.74h Meadows, Poway, 1990 (39.6h)
39.74h John Bernard, Morse, 1993 (39.6h)
39.74h Matt Moore, El Capitan, 1993 (39.6h)
74 to 80:
39.82 Rudy Castillo, Castle Park, 1991
39.84h John Petrus, San Marcos, 1987 (39.7h)
39.84 Nick Tillman, Carlsbad, 5-16-97, Avo Finals
39.84h Brett Simmons, Coronado, 1999 (39.7h; best auto time: 39.92)
39.85 Matt Luttio, San Pasqual, 1986 (may have a better time)
39.85 Sean Edwards, La Jolla, 1988
39.91 Randy Boozer, Orange Glen, 1991
81 to 86:
39.94h Bosch, Torrey Pines, 1990 (39.8h)
39.94 Chris Barton, El Capitan, 1991
39.94h Kenard Cook, Montgomery, 1993 (39.8h)
39.94h Andrew Smith, Vista, 5-7-98, dual (39.8h)
39.94h Pat Carmitchel, Rancho Bernardo, 5-7-98 (39.8h)
40.04h Padillo, Granite Hills, 1987 (39.9h)
NOTE: Need more comprehensive lists from 1984, 1985 and
1986, but list is at least 95% complete.
SCHOOL LIST:
BONITA VISTA 39.56 Karl
Stevens, 1993
CARLSBAD
39.0h
Doug Marugg, 1987
39.84
Nick Tillman, 1997
CASTLE PARK
38.40
Sadat Piggee, 1994
39.6h
Eric Bell, 1990
39.82
Rudy Castillo, 1991
CORONADO 39.7h Brett Simmons,
1999 (also 39.93 auto)
EL CAJON VALLEY 40.01 Mohammed Muheize, 1998 (best
mark found)
EL CAMINO
37.98
Steve Forte, 1994
38.8h
Sean Sweat, 1999
39.3h
Duane Hill, 1994
EL CAPITAN
38.71
Mark Daynes, 1999
38.93
Chris Ruff, 1990
38.93
Karl Klinger, 1995
39.60
Jon Clark, 1995
39.6h
Matt Moore, 1993
39.94
Chris Barton, 1991
ESCONDIDO
36.9h
Keith Williams, 1991
38.2h
Mario O'Conner, 1989
39.17
Brian Elliott, 1991
FALLBROOK 39.69 Eric Thompson,
1992
GRANITE HILLS
38.80
Jeff Hunter, 1999
39.9h
Padillo, 1987
GROSSMONT 40.8h Bryan
Bartling, 1997 (best mark found)
HELIX 39.24
Devin Smith, 1993
PATRICK HENRY
37.9h
Dexter Monroe, 1989
39.68
Charles Harris, 1986
HOOVER 39.3h
Hovis Wade, 1988
IMPERIAL 39.63
Walter Jefferson, 1994
LA JOLLA
39.58
Mike McCall, 1999
39.85
Sean Edwards, 1988
LA JOLLA CD 40.52 Josh Comte,
1998
MADISON 40.09
Luis de la Rosa, 1997 (best mark found)
MIRA MESA
38.39
Benny Lewis, 1990
38.95
Metcalf, 1989
39.25
Ahmed Dents, 1991
MONTE VISTA
38.99
Tedrick Rogers, 1995
39.5hyc
Justin Hunt, 1999
MONTGOMERY
37.22
Reggie DePass, 1996
39.8h
Kenard Cook, 1993
MORSE
37.89
Michael Jones, 1990
39.3h
Osmond Swanegan, 1986
39.6h
John Bernard, 1993
MT CARMEL 39.39 Dave Burton,
1988
MOUNT MIGUEL
36.44
Kevin Jones, 1988
38.73
Terry Ruh, 1995
38.83
Raymond Wells, 1998
OCEANSIDE
38.05
Terry Herron, 1985
38.5h
Fred Dunn, 1989
39.0h
Sean Turner, 1988
ORANGE GLEN
38.47
Jimmy Travis, 1998
38.69
Eric Benson, 1996
39.3h
Frans Thomassen, 1994
39.91
Randy Boozer, 1991
POINT LOMA 36.98 Tony Golston,
1999
POWAY
38.6h
Jeff Haines, 1989
39.0h
Doug Eagle, 1986
39.54
Steve Esselman, 1992
39.6h
Meadows, 1990
RANCHO BERNARDO
37.47
Brian Fell, 1995
37.78
Bobby Salimi, 1999
39.8h
Pat Carmitchel, 1998
RANCHO BV
37.00
Tracy Smith, 1997
39.23
Jason Gatewood, 1998
39.71
Mark John, 1995
ST. AUGUSTINE 37.20 Jay
Taylor, 1985
SAN DIEGO
38.53
Jason Anderson, 1991
39.54
David Markle, 1996
SAN DIEGUITO
38.1h
Travis Knox, 1985
39.0h
Cameron Ricks, 1992
SAN MARCOS
39.5h
Wayne Thames, 1997
39.7h
John Petrus, 1987
SAN PASQUAL
38.78
Eddie Bautista, 1994
39.08
David Clagett, 1998
39.15
Andy Blunt, 1994
39.4h
Ken Graves, 1987
39.85
Matt Luttio, 1986
SCRIPPS RANCH 40.4h Eddie
Miller, 1997 (best mark found)
SERRA 39.46
Chris Morgan, 1991
SWEETWATER 38.75 Joe
Gutierrez, 1999
TORREY PINES
37.97
Jake Kuritz, 1995
38.8h
Paco Camarena, 1988
39.32
Scott Peterson, 1997
39.8h
Bosch, 1990
UNI CITY
36.82
Felix Sanchez, 1995
38.49
Bruce Stone, 1986
38.64
Jerry Black, 1986
UNI of SD 40.38
Jay Tanjuan, 1997 (best mark found)
VALHALLA
38.55
Richard Bravin, 1997
39.42
Grant Magoffin, 1997
VALLEY CENTER 42.57 Trent
Stroh, 1999 (also had 42.5 hand)
VISTA 39.8h
Andrew Smith, 1998
WEST HILLS 39.65
Kyle Conerly, 1999