Dave Kline Biography

St. Albans High School / (Class of 1975) St. Albans, WV

Classification: AAA Boys

Specialty: Distance

Marshall University / (Class of 1979) Huntington, WV

Dave Kline was one of the main runners responsible for three straight (1972-74) W.Va. State AAA cross country titles for the Red Dragons of St. Albans High School. As a senior in track in 1975, he shattered the state record in the two-mile run with a time of 9:31 at the Bellaire Relays in Bellaire, OH, breaking Damon Clark’s (Wheeling High) record of 9:37.9, set in 1974.

The 1975 Class AAA Boys West Virginia State Track Meet, was perhaps the most controversial competitions in State Meet history, as Stonewall downed St. Albans, 29-28. St. Albans appeared to have the title clinched, leading 34-27 after David Kline’s record-setting 9:44 run in the two-mile. Kline led the field across the finish line in the 2-mile run, but the red flag was raised on the first turn of the second lap when he bumped Damon Clark of Wheeling. The disqualification cost the Red Dragons six points and what would have been their fifth state championship. St. Albans’ legendary coach Stan Smith argued vehemently but to no avail. The disqualification in the 2-mile run moved Fairmont West’s Norm DeRosa to first (9:45.7) and Damon Clark of Wheeling to second (9:54.9). David Kline and Damon Clark were foes in high school, but they would go on to become teammates for the Thundering Herd.

Coming to run at Marshall in the fall of 1975, Kline immediately set the Marshall record in the three-mile run. In the spring of 1977, Kline qualified for the NCAA National Championship meet in the 10,000 meters, the first-ever track athlete at MU to advance to NCAA Finals. In fall of 1977, he helped the Herd win its first Southern Conference championship in Marshall's first season in the league for head coach Rod O'Donnell (who is also entering the MU HOF this year). Later in 1977, Kline finished 15th in the national U.S. Track and Field Federation meet in the 15,000-meter run. Kline would win the SC 5,000-meter run in 1978 and would set a SC and MU record at that event in which he made All-Southern Conference list. His 10,000-meter and 5,000-meter records remain as the oldest track records still standing at Marshall, as MU discontinued the men's track program in the late 1980s.

Dave Kline was inducted into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame for Cross Country and Track in 2009.

Kline lives in St. Albans, works for Allstate Insurance and is also part-owner of two coffee houses in the Kanawha Valley. He is married with a son and daughter, and his niece is former MU head cheerleader Jennifer Kline.

Submitted by Coach Mike McMillion (03/30/19)