Footlocker Runners at the Olympics

With runners in Alaska having already started their seasons and the rest of the nation soon to follow let us take a look at the holy grail of high school running: the Footlocker national meet. This great event will be held for the thirtieth time this year. The finalists, who qualify through the regional meets, will not only get a chance to stay at the world-class Hotel Del Coronado, which Megan O’Reilly referred to as a “palace” when she qualified a few years ago, is also a national historic landmark. Even forgetting the magnificent beach & the usual balmy weather, the race will be held on the famed course at Balboa Park which allows the runners to compare themselves to great runners from the past. Through its history the race has also been a proving ground for many athletes, who went on to represent America at the Olympics.

For many the Kinney/Footlocker race was the first real hint of the running world beyond them and their state, as well as their future. The first Kinney race was held in 1979 and that race saw Kim Gallagher of Pennsylvania qualify sixth in the Northeast “regional” at Van Cortlandt Park in New York. She went on to place second in the 800 meters in the 1984 Olympic games & returned to claim bronze in 1988. Her time of 1:56.91 remains the fastest time for an American at the Olympics. That 1979 meet also saw Florida’s Keith Brantly place second in the Southern Regional & then take 23rd in National meet. He noted that the final was “one of those days” but the setback merely proved to give insight into what more he had to do in training. In 1996 he represent the US in the marathon and placed 28th in a time of 2:18. Of note he also ran in the XC . World Junior meet placing 3rd which is the best finish still in the race for a US runner (Ritz placed 3rd also).

Jeff Atkinson made it San Diego in 1980 and placed 19th there. Later in 1988 Olympics he kept the new Kinney/Footlocker tradition placing 10th in the 1500 Meter final with a time of 3:40.
In 1981 Cathy Schiro (O’Brien) began a four year string of great Kinney performances, which culminated in a national title in 1984. Cathy was only 16 years old when she qualified for the Olympic Trials marathon (she remains the youngest qualifier for that event for the US). Although she did not make the team as a teenager she qualified for two Olympiads and placed tenth in the 1992 marathon with a time of 2:39.42. Annette Hand (Peters) of Washington state is one of the greatest runners in Northwest history and she placed 19th in the 1982 Kinney final. Her battles with Mary Decker Slaney were treasured memories for many fans but of note also she was an Olympian in the 3K - she placed 4th in her qualifying heat. Another Kinney great was Matt Giusto, who won the race in 1983 and then went on to represent the US in the 1996 5K. John Trautman placed 2nd in 1984 and then represented the US 5K in 1992.

Suzy Favor (Hamilton) made it for two Kinney finals earning 2nd in 1985. The runner, who would become XC running’s greatest ambassador went on to represent the US in 1992, 1996 & 2000 and, save for an achilles problem, probably would have represented the US in 2004. Reuben Reina set a course record that still stands in winning the 1985 boys’ title and then the master of the finishing kick represented our nation in the 5K in 1996. Marc Davis followed Reina as champion the next year & he represented the US in the steeplechase, where he finished 12th after briefly leading the race in Atlanta in 1996..
Todd Williams placed 2nd behind Davis at Kinney & then became the dominant US runner in the 10K for years. He represented the US in that event in both 1992 & 1996 placing 10th in 1992. Ohio’s Bob Kennedy trailed both Davis & Williams in 1986 & then took the title in 1987 in spite of falling while going down Upas Hill. BK is still the US record-holder in the 5K. He placed 12th in that event in 1992 and then placed 6th in 1996. Another Kinney finalist of note was Dan Middleman, who was 8th in the 1986 Kinney race and then went on to represent the US in the 10K in 1996. Anne Marie Letko (Lauck) finished 18th in the girls’ race in 1985.

She followed that by representing the US in the 1996 marathon placing 10th with a time of 2:31.30.
Deena Drossin qualified for the Kinney meet every year between 1987 through 1990. She might have been all but in disconsolate after trailing Melody Fairchild in her record-shattering run but it would be but a bump in the road, which led to a great professional career. Deena has represented the US in every Olympics since 2000 and her bronze medal in the marathon in 2004 is a bright spot for women’s distance running this century. Looking back that Kinney class of 1990 may very well be the best ever female group. Jennifer Rhines , who placed 16th that year at Kinney and followed with Olympic years in 2000 (10k), 2004 (marathon placing 34th) & 2008 (5K). Amy Rudolph came home 13th in 1990 and later represented the US in the 5K on 2000. She still is a force on the national level.

Alan Culpepper took 4th in the 1990 finals and later represented the US in 2000 (10K) and in 2004 (Marathon placing 12th in 2:15.26. Pascal Dolbert was a Kinney finalist in 1991 placing 26th and later represented the US in the 2000 steeplechase, where he reached the semi-finals. Tony Cosey placed 14th in the 1992 Kinney meet and then placed 27th in the 2000 Olympic steeplechase. With a time of 8:35.25. Adam Goucher qualified for Kinney for three years and garnered a victory in 1993. He placed 13th in the 5K in2000 with a time of 13:43.20. Mebrahtom Keflezighi finished the 1993 finals in 2nd behind Goucher but he ran to glory in the 2004 marathon earning the silver medal in a time of 2:11.29. He was also 12th on the 2000 in a time of 27:53. Brad Hauser placed 4th trailing Meb & also represented the US in the 5K in 2000. Amy Yoder (Begley) finished 13th in the 1993 Kinney race and represented the US in the 2008 Olympics where she placed 26th in the 10K with a time of 32:38.28. Tim Broe was 10th in the 1994 edition of the meet and later earned 11th in 2004 Oly. 5K. Jon Riley took 10th in the 1995 Footlocker meet and then went on to represent the U S in 2004 in the 5K (13:38). Carrie Tollefson garnered three tips to the finals placing 4th in 1993 and represented the US in the 1500 meters in the 2004 Games. Her local rival Kara Wheeler (Goucher) placed 9th and then 17th from 1993-4 and represented the US in 2008 in both the 5K & 10K. Gabe Jennings made both the 1995 & ’96 finals placing 7th in his first year. In 2000 he represented the US in the 1500M. Jorge Torrez of Illinois became the only male runner to qualify for the finals all four years of his high school career & won the event in 1998. He placed 25th in the 10K this year with a time of 28:13.93. Ian Dobson was a two-time FL finalist placing 7th in 1998. He represented the US in the 5K this year placing 9th in his opening heat in a time of 14:05.07. Matthew Tegenkamp placed 5th in the 1999 FL and represented the US in the 5K winning his heat in the opening round. Matt finished 13th in the final with a time of 13:33.13. (He also placed 5th in the XC World Juniors). Christin Wurth (Thomas) placed 12th in the 1996 nationals & represented the US in the 1500 in 2008. Erin Donohue came in 17th in the FL meet in 1998 and also represented the US this year in the 1500K.

Dathan Ritzenhein was a 3-time qualifier for nationals winning the meet in 1999 & 2000. In 2004 he represent the US in the 10K (DNF) and the marathon this year. Ritz also placed third in the XC World meet for juniors joining Keith Brantly as the best of the US in that event. That first year of the Century may in the end prove to be a watershed year for US distance running for Alan Webb took 2nd to Ritz and represented the US in the 1500 in 2004. He also is the US record-holder in the mile. Ryan Hall came in 3rd in that final & is now the US record-holder in the Half Marathon as well as the top US marathoner. In this 2008 Olympic Marathon Dathan Ritzenhein & Ryan Hall placed 9th & 10th for the US on a very hot & humid day. Galen Rupp of Oregon made the FL finals twice placing 2nd in 2003 and this year finished 13th in the 10K with a time of 27:36.99, which is the best time a US runner has ever run in the Olympic finals. Jennifer Barringer qualified for San Diego in both 2003 & ’04 placing 3rd & 10th respectively. She represented the US in Beijing in the steeplechase, where she placed 9th in American record time (9:22.26). Lopez Lomong was 20th in the 2003 Footlocker race and this year represented the US in the 1500 Meters.

In some respects I should include Shalane Flanagan, who made at least two attempts to make nationals and was one of the favorites in the Northeast Regionals. In 1998 she neared the finish line in 8th place (so close to qualifying) but fell due to fatigue. By the time that she was able to finish she end up in 20th place. The next year she became embroiled in a speed duel with Erin Donohue, which ended both of their hopes that year. Of course the key in life is learning from failure and Shalane is now the American record-holder in the 5K as well as a bronze medalist in the 2008 Olympics. She is a former Footlocker runner and even acted as a captain in last year’s event as did Kara Goucher, Carrie Tollefson & Ryan Hall.

When one thinks about it this is a very impressive record. Given the ultimate success of its participants Footlocker has been a crucial event in the development of US Olympic talent. Noteworthy too is that this list has been limited to Olympic qualifiers and does not look at World Championships or World XC much less Pan American & Goodwill games, where many other Footlocker alumni have also competed. To make it to San Diego is truly a dream, which can lead to even more success. One must remember, however, that the key to distance running is perseverance. There are, however, runners like Dan Browne, who never won a state meet or made it to Footlocker, yet were able to temper their competitive urge and train & learn the lessons that would lead to a berth in the Olympics. Ohio’s Katie McGregor is another such athlete, who comes to mind. She has finished 4th in the US Trials in the 10K the last two times narrowly missing a berth, yet this runner, who did not make Footlocker or win State, has represented the US nine times. There is much to be said for believing in yourself & following your dreams. Still Footlocker has long been a great proving ground for American high school runners, which for many has been the event of a lifetime. In talking to America’s track stars, who made it to Footlocker, this meet was such a big thing for them but more importantly the first real clue to the possibilities of running. As Suzy Favor said recently (and has been echoed by many) this is a very special event. Good luck for all aspirants this year: I look forward to greeting you in San Diego in December.