Gary Petross of Brownwood specialized in the high and low hurdles at Howard Payne and also ran on the formidable two-mile relay for legendary track coach J.H. “Cap” Shelton. Petross competed in university divisions instead of small-college divisions at major meets like the Texas Relays, Drake Relays and Kansas Relays. Petross was a part of teams that ruled the outdoor and indoor relays, helping the Yellow Jackets to Lone Star Conference championships in 1961 and 1962. After graduation in 1962, Petross earned a master’s in education for Baylor University, coached track at McKinney High School and became a teacher, coach and middle school principal in Andrews.