Named “Outstanding Athlete of the Territory” in 1931, “Christy” excelled in football, baseball and especially – track. He was a three-year letterman in each plus a letter in his freshman year for a total of ten letters. In 1931 he was the unanimous choice for All-Star fullback and in the 1932 Cornell Relays and Interscholastic meets was called a “One Man Track Team,” winning the 220-yard low hurdles (tying McGuire’s 1928 record), high jump (record), and broad jump. He also placed in the sprints and pole vault and ran on record-breaking relay teams.This article appears as originally published in the Summer 1980 issue of the Punahou Bulletin.
At Washington State he again was a “One Man Track Team” adding the javelin and discus to his repertoire. In an intra-mural meet he once accounted for 72 of his winning team’s 75 points, winning javelin, shot put, discus, pole vault, 60-yard dash, high hurdles, low hurdles, high jump, broad jump, 440-yard dash and running in six relays. It was only natural that he made the varsity squad and was considered for the 1936 Olympic Track Team. However, he was more widely known for his spectacular football accomplishments.
In his first year of eligibility he made the varsity squad (halfback) and was chosen to play in the East-West Shrine game, the first time an undergraduate was chosen from Washington State. An outstanding runner and pass receiver he was selected Pacific Coast All-American halfback in his final year. Unfortunately and tragically, his athletic career was cut short in 1936 due to serious injuries – otherwise, “Christy” most certainly would have been an Olympic Pentathlon Champion.