Chandler Rieske

Class of 2009

Track & Field, Cross-Country

Chandler Rieske was an all-around athlete. He could run, jump, and throw, and worked hard during his high school years to improve in many sports and events, ultimately specializing in the hurdles. During his junior year, he placed 3rd in State in 300 meter hurdles. His senior year, he was the State Champion in 110 High Hurdles and Runner-up in the 300 meter hurdles. That summer, he was invited to be part of Team Utah to compete in the national all-star meet called The Great Southwest Track & Field Classic, as a decathlete. The decathlon requires an athlete to master 10 different track & field events, and is a test of all-around athleticism. A decathlete must be an exceptional sprinter (100 meters and 400 meters), hurdler, long jumper, high jumper, pole vaulter, shot putter, javelin thrower, discus thrower, and endurance runner (1500 meters). In that elite meet, Chandler's years of work in multiple events paid off and he finished 7th place in the nation in the decathlon. He finished his senior year with six school records in track & field (300 meter hurdles, 60 meter hurdles, javelin, decathlon, 3 X 110 meter shuttle hurdle relay, and 3 X 300 meter hurdle relay), and two second all-time marks (110 meter hurdles and triple jump).

After high school, Rieske attended Utah Valley University (UVU) and competed on the track & field team in the indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon. His freshman year, he was the conference champion of the GWC in both. In the indoor conference championships, he not only won the heptathlon, he set a conference record in the process with a score of 4543. He similarly won the conference championship in the outdoor decathlon with a score of 6332. Later that year, he competed in the Junior Decathlon Nationals and finished with an impressive 16th place. Later, UVU changed conferences from the GWC to the WAC. Chandler was named to the Academic All-Conference Team for his excellence in the classroom and Second Team All-Conference for his excellence in athletics. 

Chandler received a bachelor's of science degree in biology From Utah Valley University, and had his scientific research featured in Macrolichens of Capitol Reef National Park, for the Capitol Reef Field Station. At the time of his induction into the Hall of fame, Chandler was finishing a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at Roseman University, expected graduation in 2021.

Inducted 2020