On May 4, 1957, the Pasadena High School Eagles etched their names into history by capturing the state track and field championship—still one of the greatest achievements in Pasadena ISD athletics. Coached by Allan Brown with assistant Harry Morgan, the Eagles combined depth, resilience, and star power to secure the gold in a meet remembered for record-breaking performances.

Led by Bert Coan—who won the 100-yard dash in 10 seconds flat, the 220-yard dash in 22.1, tied in the high jump, and anchored the sprint relay—the Eagles piled up points across events. Coan also stunned the field with a 24-foot, 4-inch leap in the long jump, a state record and the third-best mark in the nation that year. But it was a true team effort: Bill Donaldson set a record in the shot put at 49’8¾”, Meador won the 880-yard dash, and the 440-relay squad of Choate, Meador, and May clinched the title with a blazing 43.3 finish.

By the end of the meet, Pasadena had shattered two state records and secured its first state track title. The victory earned the Eagles the nickname “Speedy Eagles” and was later ranked No. 4 on Pasadena’s list of Top 5 Sports Achievements of the 20th Century. It also ended an 11-year state championship drought for the school, last celebrated in basketball in 1946.

Today, the 1957 state champion Eagles track team is remembered as one of Pasadena High’s finest squads, a group whose speed and determination left a lasting mark on Texas high school athletics.