Hall of Fame induction: 2004
John’s running career began at Mt. Pleasant High School in 1957. In 1960, he was Blue Hen Conference and New Castle County Champion (50.9 on cinders) in the 440yd dash, setting records in both. He was runner-up in the 440yd dash to State and Track Hall of fame inductee, Mike Brown of Conrad, in the State Championship and the State Open. He ran the 3rd leg on Mt. Pleasant’s State Record 880yd relay team (1:32.0 on cinders).
John continued his career at the University of Maryland where he won 7 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, 6 in the Mile Relay Indoor & Outdoor from 1962-1964. His individual Championship was recorded in 1963 at the Indoor ACC championships in the 600yd run where he won and set a new record with a time of 1:12.5, which broke the record by two seconds.
In 1963, he was a member of two University of Maryland teams that set Florida Relays records in the Sprint Medley, 3:22.3, and Mile Relay, 3:14.7 (the fastest time in the event in A.C.C. history). John ran the lead off leg for the winning mile relay team that set a record 3:15.7 (cinders) at the District of Columbia A.A.U. Championship.