Dyrol Burleson
Dyrol Burleson graduated from Cottage Grove High School where highlights included winning the Oregon State Cross Country Championship in 1957, the State Mile title in 1958 and breaking the National High School Mile Record by nearly three seconds in 4:13.2. Dyrol was a member of the 1960 and 1964 United States Olympic teams in the 1,500 meters where he finished in sixth and fifth place, respectively. He won the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Trials 1,500 meters which were two of his five U.S. Championships at 1,500 meters or the mile. Dyrol was undefeated in his three years of collegiate competition including NCAA titles at 1,500 meters in 1960 and the mile in 1961 and 1962. The Oregon Duck was the first to receive a full track and field scholarship from Coach Bill Bowerman and the first to run a sub-4:00 mile at Oregon’s historic Hayward Field. He broke American Records at 1,500 meters and the mile two times each and once in the 2-mile. Dyrol was a member of the World Record 4-mile relay and 1959 Pan Am Games 1,500 meter Gold medalist. His personal best times include: 880y – 1:48.2 (1962); 1,500m – 3:38.8 (1964); Mile – 3:55.6 (1963) and 2 miles – 8:39.6 (1966). Dyrol has been inducted into the USATF Hall of Fame, the University of Oregon HOF, the State of Oregon HOF and Cottage Grove High School HOF. He earned both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from the University of Oregon and retired after 31 years with the Linn County, Oregon Parks system. Dyrol resides in Turner, Oregon with his wife, Deberra, and has two daughters.