Peter Close (1998) - Hall of Fame - St. John's University Athletics

Peter Close

Induction:
1998
Class:
1959

Dominant on both track and trail, Peter Close was named a cross country All-American in both 1958 and 1959 and a track All American in 1959. He was selected as Metropolitan New York Track Athlete of the Year in 1959, winning the coveted IC4A mile championship that year and the previous, and saw his athletic career reach its pinnacle when he represented the United States in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. He finished ninth in his preliminary heat of the 1,500-meter run. During his senior year, Close went undefeated in eight college cross country meets and was named St. John's top athlete both his junior and senior years.