Augie Hirt, class of 1973, remains McPherson College’s only track & field/racewalk American Record holder.

Hirt set five McPherson College racewalk records in distances from one mile to 50 kilometers (over 31 miles) plus the marathon, and was part of the Bulldogs’ record setting 100-mile relay. He still holds all but the marathon record. He placed fourth at both the NAIA indoor and outdoor championships in 1973 in the two-mile racewalk. Hirt remains the lone Bulldog male athlete to possess a Kansas Relay championship watch, signifying his first place finish in 1973 one-mile racewalk.

During his competitive days at McPherson College, Hirt won six varsity letters in three sports, cross country (three times), track (twice) and baseball (once). Since the KCAC did not contest any racewalk events, Hirt competed in the “usual” distance events, placing third in the 1973 KCAC steeplechase, and competing as part of Bulldogs’ 1971 KCAC championship cross country team under coach Art Ray.

Following his collegiate eligibility, Hirt went on to set 11 American Records in racewalk events at the distances of 75 kilometers (approx. 46 miles), 50 miles, and 100 kilometers (approx. 62 miles). He lowered the 100-kilometer record for five straight years, from 1974 through 1978, to a best of 10 hours, 19 minutes, 00 seconds, a record that still stands. His American Records for 75 kilometers (7 hours, 5 minutes, 46 seconds) and 50-miles (7:39:39) also still stand today.

In 1976, Hirt became the youngest member of the USA Centurion Club (must walk 100 miles in under 24 hours) when he won the National AAU 100 mile championship in 19 hours 55 minutes 16 second in September of 1976. That event was recognized by a feature story in the October 18, 1976, issue of Sports Illustrated.

Hirt won seven national AAU racewalking championships and received 12 All-American national racewalking team designations between 1974 and 1979 at distances from 30,000 meters to 100 kilometers. Five of Hirt’s national championships came in the 100km event. In 1976, he placed second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 50km racewalk and 12th in the 20km walk. In his final season of competitive racewalking, Hirt finished fourth at the 1979 Pan American Games trials.

From 1973 through 1979, Hirt was named to 13 USA national teams. He competed in three straight World Championships between 1975 and 1977. He was the United States’ top finisher in the 50km walk in 1975 before being as America’s second finisher the final two years. Hirt’s 14th place finish in 1977 was his top finish in World Championship events. In 1975, he raced the open 27km leg for the United States in the Airolo-Chiasse 5-man International Relay in Lugano, Switzerland, leading the USA to a second place finish, still the highest finish ever by a American team. Hirt competed in USA dual meets versus Canada, Mexico, Sweden, England, and Germany. After qualifying for the 1980 Olympic Trials in the 50km racewalk, Hirt retired from competitive racewalking when the United States announced its boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games.

A certified public accountant, Hirt has taught racewalking for fitness to over 71,000 people, including television personality Oprah Winfrey. A native of Piqua, Ohio, Hirt joins college teammate, Mike Butsch of Piqua, as the second Piqua native to be inducted into the McPherson Hall of Fame.