James Eastman GERHARDT

James Gerhardt finished third in the 1948 AAU triple jump. He improved in 1952 to finish second at the Olympic Trials and make the Olympic Team. He competed for Rice and the San Antonio AC, and also played basketball at Rice, helping them win the 1949 Southwest Conference title. Gerhardt later attended business school at the University of Texas. He served in the US Navy from 1953-55 as a stevedore officer. While in the Navy he played basketball for the Atlantic Fleet team, and won the All-Navy and Interservice triple jump title. After his military service, Gerhardt joined Gulf Oil in 1959, and eventually became an executive, serving with them until his retirement.

Personal Best: TJ – 15.13 (49-7¾) (1952).