Lonnie Vernon SPURRIER

Lon Spurrier had two great years in the 800 – 1955 and 1956. In 1955 he won a silver medal in the 800 at the Pan American Games, and ran on the gold medal winning 4×400 relay team (with John Mashburn, Jim Lea, and Lou Jones). In 1956 he ran on two world-record setting relay teams – 4×440y and 4×880y. In a dual meet in March 1955, Spurrier ran 1:47.5 for 880y to break that world record, although it was inferior to the 800 metre world record. Spurrier had placed fifth in the 1953-54 NCAA 880y. At the AAU Meet Spurrier finished fifth in 1955 and fourth in 1956. He became a fighter pilot in the US Air Force before having a career in financial management.

Personal Bests: 440y – 47.2 (1955); 880y – 1:47.5 (1955); Mile – 4:08.4 (1955).