BIO

Steve Cornforth references those “special workouts” created by BHS Hall of Fame Coach, Hal Cornforth, as a crucial element in his development as one of the best runners in the history of Red Raider track.

It was through those grueling workouts that Steve learned what he was capable of accomplishing and how hard he had to work to achieve success. Coach Cornforth recognized Steve’s potential and created the path for growth which led to Steve’s success as the best 440-yard runner BHS has ever seen.

Steve applied true grit and competitiveness in those workouts, then blossomed into a runner who expected to win every time he stepped onto the starting line. In dual and league meets in his junior and senior years Steve won all except two of his 440 yard races — a phenomenal and unparalleled accomplishment. As a sophomore, Steve set the school record in the quarter mile with a time of 52.1 seconds. He improved the record in his junior year to 51.6 seconds.

As a senior captain of the track team, Steve graduated holding the school record with a time of 50.9 seconds. He later broke the 50-second barrier at the University of New Hampshire with a time of 49.6 seconds. Steve won the quarter mile in the Capeway Conference meet as well as the D-Y Invitational in 1969 and 1970.

In the field, Steve contributed in the triple jump, achieving a career best of 42’3”. On the basketball court, Steve was a two-year starting guard for Hall of Fame Coach, Dick Graves and a captain his senior year. The 1969-70 Red Raiders posted a 20-4 record, were Principals’ Tourney Champions and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Tech Tournament. Steve’s performances in cross country, track and basketball earned him Capeway Conference All-Star status in all three sports in his junior and senior years. He was awarded the Pierce Long Scholar-Athlete Award in 1970 and the Sportsmanship Award from the Board of Officials in 1970. He was inducted into the BHS Hall of Fame November 26, 2011.