John Barbour
All-league in cross country at M-A, where he graduated in 1972, John Barbour is still a running star. He turned
40 last year, and finished second in the Boston Marathon masters competition. Running times magazine, in a story on
Barbour pointed out that after 25 years of uninterrupted racing and a dozen marathons, the Boston event was his
second fastest marathon, just 1 minute off the personal record he set at age 33. His Boston time of 2 hours, 20 min
and 26 seconds also qualified him for the 1996 Olympic Trials. Running times noted that Barbour had qualified
for the 1988 Olympic Trials, but while training he was hit by a car; the resulting back injury forced him to drop
out of the Trials race. Barbour lives in Glouster, Mass.
Dan Britts
Dan Britts, who ran on M-A's first cross country team in 1964, won all-league honors at the school. In
track, he set school records in the mile and 2-mile. After graduating in 1967, he went on to UC-Davis and
Western Seminary. For the past 19 years, he has been campus pastor in Davis.
Lars and Thor Jensen
Two being honored for wrestling are identical twins Lars and Thor Jensen, sons of June Jensen of Menlo Park.
Lars & Thor were not only wrestling champions at M-A, but both went on to become wrestling coaches. Lars has been
head wrestling coach at San Francisco State University for 12 years, and Thor, head wrestling coach of Wood High School in Vacaville
for 13 years.
Russ Kidder
In the mid-1960's at M-A, Russ Kidder was a two-year All-American swimmer in the five individual events and
one relay. In his junior year, he finished first in North Coast Section competition in the 50 freestyle, and
in his senior year, was first in Central Coast Section 200 freestyle relay. He went on to the
University of Southern California, where he made 11 NCAA all-American teams in individual and relay events.
Bill Ready
In his first season in water polo in 1959, Bill Ready made first team all-league, and was the second leading scorer in the league. He
led the Bears to the league water polo championship and the Northern California water polo championship. The next year, he again
led M-A to the league title. Ready was second highest scorer in league history, behind Marty Hull of Sequoia. In
addition to water polo, Ready was a champion swimmer. In 960 and 1961, he won several league titles, including
in 50 and 100 freestyle. In 1961 he won the section championship in 50 freestyle. that year he was M-A's first
individual swimming All-American, making the honor team in 50 freestyle.
Tod Spieker
Tod Spieker, another M-A swimming star in the 1960's was a two-year All American in three events, and
won 40 straight dual meet races in his junior and senior years. At UCLA, he was All American in 1969 in
the 200-yeard backstroke. From 1977 to 1994, he competed in masters events, and set eight world records and
five national records.
Carol Tait
In 1954 & 1955 Carol Trait was an all-American, and was national swimming champion in the 250-yard and
500-yard freestyle events. At the Olympic Trials in 1956, she was second in the 400-meter freestyle. She has competed in master
events since 1973, winning 35 national championships. In 1988, she finished first in the 400-meter freestyle event at the World Games
in Australia. She has coached a swim team in Palo Alto, known as the Rinconada Masters, to several national championships.
Link to Palo Alto Weekly article