Men’s Track Olympians through 2014

In 1943, Jerry Thompson was the NCAA two-mile champion, a three-time All-American in the two-mile, a member of the 1948 U.S. Olympic team in the 5,000-meter event, and the National Champion in 1943, ’44, ’45. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1976.

Coach Littlefield said that Jerry “was born with about 90 percent more endurance than most other boys.” He…….. was talented, competitive, and unselfish.”

1952 Olympics Helsinki

1952-1954 – Dean Smith is a sprinter and a halfback for the Longhorns’ 1952 SWC championship football team. He is the first Longhorn track star to win an Olympic gold medal, and he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

After his track career, Dean uses an important contact (Jim Baumgardner), who is an OU friend, to get a job as a Hollywood stuntman. Years Jim Baumgardner changed his Hollywood name to James Garner. Dean Smith was an instant success as a stuntman and was hired by Steve McQueen, John Wayne, and Robert Redford. John Wayne says “this guy is amazing”. “He can jump over a horse faster than you can say, Jack Robinson.”

A great link to Dean Smith is below

In 1958, Eddie Southern became the first person to run the quarter mile in under 45 seconds. Southern also anchored the 4 x 110 relay team, which set two world records in four years. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1969.

Coach Littlefield said “I was never associated with an athlete who could do so many things so well.”

Michael Burley is an American modern pentathlete. He competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics and qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but was unable to compete due to the U.S. Olympic Committee’s boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia. He was one of 461 athletes to receive a Congressional Gold Medal many years later.

In 1976, Johnny “Lam” Jones won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 relay. This site has a special page for Johnny.

https://www.texaslsn.org/johnny-lam-jones

Competition Results:
2008: 2nd at Olympic Trials (2.27m/7-05.25)…3rd at World Indoors (2.30m/7-6.5)…USA Indoor champ (2.30m/7-7.50)…1st at Austin, Texas (2.33m/7-7.75)
2007: NCAA Outdoor runner-up (2.29m/7-6)…4th at NCAA Indoors (2.22m/7-3.25)…tied for 11th at USA Outdoors (2.15m/7-0.50)…2nd at Lincoln, Neb. (2.30m/7-6.50)…ranked #7 in U.S. by T&FN…best of 2.30m/7-6.50.
2006: 3rd at USA Outdoors (2.24m/7-4.25)…runner-up at NCAA Outdoors (2.26m/7-5)…tied for 2nd at NCAA Indoors (2.26m/7-5)…ranked #4 in U.S. by T&FN…2.28m/7-5.75i.
2005: 12th at NCAA Outdoors (2.17m/7-1.50)…3rd at NCAA Indoors (2.23m/7-3.75)…best of 2.26m/7-5i.
2004: Tied for 8th at USA Olympic Trials (2.24m/7-4.25)…NCAA Outdoor champ (2.32m/7-7.25)…NCAA Indoor champ (2.23m/7-3.75)…Big 12 Conference Outdoor champ…ranked #3 in U.S. by T&FN…best of 2.32m/7-7.25.

Leo Manzano participates in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. He receives a silver medal in the 1500 in 2012.

He wins the outdoor National Championship in 2005, 2007, and 2008, and he is a Cross Country All-American in 2007.

• National Champion
• Two-time All-American
• Big 12 Champion
• Three-time All-Big 12
• USTFCCCA All-Academic Team
• School Record Holder – Indoor Long Jump (26-8.50)
2010-11
Goodwin competed for a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team as a long jumper (he competed in the event in the 2012 London Games) while he was also trying to make the Bills’ roster.

• 2016 Rio Olympic Games 9th place – 400m Hurdles
• 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Silver Medalist – 400m Hurdles
• 2017, 2016 Big 12 Champion – 400m Hurdles
• 2017, 2016, 2015 USTFCCCA Indoor All-America First Team – 4x400m Relay
• 2016 USTFCCCA Indoor All-America Second Team – 400m
• 2017 USTFCCCA Outdoor All-America Second Team – 400m Hurdles

Ryan Crouser (born December 18, 1992) is an American shot putter and discus thrower. Crouser won the gold medal in the shot put at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He had previously won the gold medal in the boys’ shot put at the 2009 World Youth Championships and was a four-time NCAA champion in the shot put indoors and outdoors for the University of Texas.