Brian Grimes, Stan Belin, Walter Kirkland, and James Westman (pictured left to right)

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Photography: 
courtesy Rich Grassle/Rutgers Athletics

The 1981 Scarlet Knights men’s track and field two-mile relay team—consisting of Brian Grimes, Stan Belin, Walter Kirkland, and James Westman (pictured left to right)—was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. At the 1981 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, held in Detroit’s Cobo Arena, the quartet clocked a time of 7:30.95 to become national champions in the event. For their exploits, Grimes RC’81, Belin LC’82, Kirkland CC’81, and Westman RC’84 were recognized with  Rutgers University Outstanding Athletic Achievement Awards; named First Team All-Americans and members of the All-East Track and Field Team; and designated Metropolitan Champions and New Jersey College Champions. During that magical year, they had an indoor 4x800 relay time of 7:24.8 that nationally was ranked No. 2 and a distance medley time that was No. 7, and the team posted an outdoor 4x800 relay time of 7:19.88, good for No. 10 in the world.