Dyrol Jay BURLESON

Dyrol Burleson was the best American miler in the early 1960s, twice making the Olympic final in the 1500. He won the AAU 1500 title in 1959, 1961, and 1963, and was Pan American gold medalist in the 1500 in 1959. Competing for Oregon, Burleson won the NCAA title at 1500 metres in 1960, and the mile in 1961-62. In May 1962, he anchored the Oregon 4xmile relay team that broke the world record. He set American records twice in the 1,500 metres and twice in the mile. Burleson starred in high school at Cottage Grove High School in Oregon, winning the 1957 Oregon State Cross-Country Championship, and the Oregon one-mile title in 1958.

Burleson remained in Oregon after his track career, working for over 30 years with the Linn County Parks System. He is a member of multiple Halls of Fame, including the US Track and Field Hall of Fame, the University of Oregon Hall of Fame, the State of Oregon Hall of Fame, and the Cottage Grove High School Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 880y – 1:48.2 (1962); 1500 – 3:38.8 (1964); Mile – 3:55.6 (1963); 2 miles – 8:39.6 (1966).