Track and Field - 1998

University of California sprinter David Epstein, with teammates Jack Yerman, Barry Siebert and Bob Karlsrud, set the U.S. Mile Relay record of 3:09.2 in 1960. The new mark was fast enough for a world record, except the International Track and Field Federation only recognized records set in meters. (The U.S. record converts to 3:08.1 for the 1,600-Meter Relay.)

A 47.5 quarter-miler, Epstein was one of the fastest college sprinters in the United States. His UC-Berkeley quartet set Pac Ten Mile Relay records at nearly every dual meet in 1959 and 1960. Running with the same foursome in the 4 x 440 Relay event, they set records at the L.A. Coliseum, Modesto, Compton and Long Beach Relays.

Epstein was born in Minneapolis and raised in Southern California. He held Beverly Hills High School’s 180-yard and 440-yard records from 1955 to 1957.

An attorney who once specialized in sports law, Epstein represented World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Ken Norton, and the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts record-setting running back Eric Dickerson.