Padilla, Douglas
Track and Field
b. Oct. 4, 1956, Oakland, CA
Padilla graduated in 1983 from Brigham Young University, where he was an All-American distance runner. Although he never won an NCAA championship, he was the national indoor champion in the 2-mile run in 1981.
After graduating, he become America's top 5,000-meter runner, winning four consecutive national championships at that distance, from 1983 through 1986, including the 1984 Olympic trials.
He finished 7th in the Olympics but won the World Cup 5,000-meter in 1985. He set seven American records at distances from 3,000 to 5,000 meters. He still holds the indoor 2-mile and 5,000-meter records.
Since retiring from competition in 1990, Padilla has been active in track meet management and promotion. He helped to create the Utah High School Meet of Champions for track and cross country and the Utah collegiate track championships. He works as an admistrator for track and field at his alma mater.