John Crist

John Crist was TAC decathlon champion in 1981-82 and 1984, with the 1984 meet doubling as the US Olympic Trials, and finished second at the TAC Meet in 1979 and 1983. He won the Florida Relays in 1980, and competed in five dual meets against the Soviet Union. He competed for the US at the 1983 World Championships, but did not finish, and the 1984 Olympics, placing sixth. Crist attended the University of Alabama, winning the 1976 Southeastern Conference title, and later competed for Athletics West.

Crist spent some time as a graduate assistant coach at North Carolina State University, but eventually returned to California when he bought Memories swingdance club in Anaheim. In 2001 Crist moved the club to Whittier, California, where it prospered. Crist also worked for a time as a stockbroker, and served briefly as the food and restaurant editor of the Los Angeles Times.

Personal Bests: 400 – 48.31 (1982); 1,500 – 4:10.5 (1976); 110H – 14.74 (1980); HJ – 2.14 (7-0¼) (1979); PV – 4.20 (13-9½) (1981); LJ – 7.26 (23-10) (1980); JT – 65.68 (215-6) (1982); Decathlon – 8,121 (1984).