Peru State College Athletics

The “Arapahoe Flash”, Jim Mather, was one of the greatest track and field performers in Peru State history, regardless of era. With an almost effortless stride, he literally dominated the sprints and broad jump and paced the Bobcats to conference supremacy in 1930 and ’40. He received state honors in football as a halfback, and was included on Coach Al Wheeler’s “All Peru Team”. After serving in the military, he returned to Peru for his final season of competition and completed his degree in 1947.