Jim Gathje might have finished his collegiate career in 1986, but his performances still ring true 33 years later.
Gathje became the first man in NCAA DIII history to win back-to-back NCAA steeplechase titles in 1985 and 1986. His winning time of 8:46.71 in 1985 was both the divisional record and the meet record until he lowered the bar to 8:43.93 the following year. That second mark, which is still the meet record to this day, also stood as the divisional record for 22 years until Peter Kosgei squeaked under it at 8:43.78.
It was in 1986 where Gathje also competed at the NCAA DI Championships in the steeplechase. He narrowly missed the final, but notched what is now the eighth fastest performance all-time in NCAA DIII.
Gathje is the first athlete from Saint John’s University to be inducted into the NCAA DIII Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame.