Racing on a Lancers men's track and field team that placed as the state runner-up in 1962, Walt Butler won the 120-yard high hurdles title at the state meet in a school record time of 14.1 seconds.

Butler continued to race well after his college career ended and established many high marks in master's track and field events. In 2014, he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Master's Hall of Fame.

Butler served as an assistant coach for PCC track and field and was instrumental in guiding a remarkable three consecutive state champs in the 400 hurdles from 1975-1977.