Mark Gardner demonstrated excellence on the track for Pacific from 1968-1971. He holds school records in the men's two mile with a time of 9:24.1 and in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:09.8. Mark was also a member of the record holding distance medley relay team that finished first at the Mt. SAC Relays in 1968 with a time of 10:04.8.
As a freshman in 1968, Gardner was nearly untouchable in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He claimed first-place finishes in the event at five relays that season, including the Fresno Relays, the Westmont Relays, the Claremont Relays, the Davis Relays and finished with the fastest freshman time in the nation during the 1968 San Jose Invitational. Mark received All-American honors following the season.
The excellence that began during his freshman season would carry throughout his career. Gardner was rarely defeated in dual, triangular and quadrangular meets in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and two mile event in 1968, 1969 and 1970. During the 1970 season, Mark placed first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at both the PCAA and West Coast Conference Championships.
Gardner continues to remain active in racing and placed first in the 1994 Masters Team Rose City Relay, ran a 4:54 mile at the age of 45 and placed 15th in the Portland Marathon in 1984.
Since graduating from University of the Pacific in 1971 with a B.A. in political science, Gardner earned his J.D. at Hastings College of Law in 1974. He was elected to the Hillsboro City Council and served from 1975 to 1977. In 1977, Mark was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives and again in 1979, when he was appointed Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. In 1979, he was appointed as a District Court Judge and remained in that capacity until he was appointed Circuit Court Judge in 1992. After 17 years on the bench, he became Special Counsel to the Oregon Attorney General and handled that state's legislation against the tobacco companies. He returned to the Circuit Court bench in July of 1999.
