Gary Kinder

Gary Kinder was a decathlete who started in college at the University of Mississippi, but later transferred to the University of New Mexico, graduating from there in 1985. While at Ole Miss he won the title at the 1982 Kansas Relays. After college he placed third at the TAC Meet in 1986-87, making the 1987 World Championships, where he placed 12th. Kinder made the 1988 Olympic Team by winning the TAC Meet, which doubled that year as the Olympic Trials. Internationally he competed 10 times between 1985-90.

Kinder competed through 1998, after seemingly retiring in 1993, only to return in 1996 to try to make the Olympic team. In the 1990s he spent some time as a country singer. He then coached, first at Tennessee high schools, then the University of New Mexico and University of Virginia, and also started KinderSport, an elite training program for athletes.

Personal Best: Dec – 8293 (1988).