Tuesday, July 27, 2010

This Day in Villanova T&F History




On this day in 1985 Villanova great Sydney Maree set an American Record by 10 seconds over 5000 meters, running the third fastest time in history and chasing Said Aouita to a new World Record. 1985's Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway saw Morocco’s Said Aouita, overtaking Sydney Maree on the final homestretch after a great last-lap battle, run 13:00.40 to break Dave Moorcroft’s record of 13:00.41 by the barest of margins. Maree followed in 13:01.15 to break Alberto Salazar’s American Record
(13:11.93 from July 1982). Aouita would soon be the first man to break 13:00 for the 5000, running 12:58.39 on July 27, 1987.

Sports Illustrated described the race this way, in its August 5, 1985 edition:

Two men were out to get him. Sydney Maree, the former 1,500 record holder, and the Olympic champion at 10,000, Alberto Cova of Italy. Both are renowned finishers. After Torstein Brox of Norway and Bob Verbeck of Belgium had rabbited past halfway at near-record pace, Aouita took over and kept up a steady flow of 63-second laps. Only Maree and Cova stayed with him. "From 3,000 to the end, I felt very bad," said Aouita. "Not in my legs, but in the stomach." Aouita is all chest and legs and teeth. He has run a 1:44.37 800, but speed training is said to hurt his flat feet.

Maree stayed second, so close that Aouita would always sense him. "From 2,000 meters, I knew he was there and going well and that he would attack," said Aouita. "The question was when."

And whether Aouita could respond. "I felt [then] that I couldn't do it today," he said. "At 3,000 I even thought of dropping out of the race."

With 600 to go, the pace got to Cova, and he fell away. Ten meters before the last-lap bell, Maree took off. The sight of him cutting in ahead jolted Aouita. "I liked it very much when he attacked," said Aouita later. "He helped the last 400 meters."

Aouita came to Maree's shoulder with 200 to go, and Maree held him there, outside, running farther on the turn. But Aouita fought even with 150 to run, pulled ahead off the turn and sprinted through the stretch. "I knew," he said. "I knew when Sydney sped ahead it was going to be a world record."

That was an awful lot of certainty for what turned out to be a very near thing. He hit the line in 13:00.40,.01 faster than Dave Moorcroft's great solo run at Bislett in 1982.

Aouita's last lap had taken but 54.4 seconds. Maree had given Aouita the world record with his long charge, and Aouita acknowledged it. "If he had gone from 800 meters, we'd have broken 13 minutes," he said, greedy and happy at the same time.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Recruiting Radar: Mageean wins World Juniors Silver with Monster PR over 1500



Villanova target Ciara Mageean of Northern Ireland set a new Irish Junior Record in the 1500 at yesterday's IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada. Her time of 4:09.51 was a 6 second PR. Here are the results from the finals and the story from today's Independent

Women's 1500 Meters

1 256 Tizita Bogale ETH 4:08.06 (PB)
2 368 Ciara Mageean IRL 4:09.51 (NJ)
3 439 Nancy Chepkwemoi KEN 4:11.04 (PB)
4 680 Jordan Hasay USA 4:13.95 .
5 540 Ioana Doaga ROU 4:14.27 .
6 309 Laura Weightman GBR 4:14.31 (PB)
7 446 Nelly Chebet Ngeiywo KEN 4:18.50 .
8 589 Amela Terzic SRB 4:19.03 .
9 128 Jennifer Wenth AUT 4:22.39 .
10 162 Genzeb Shumi BRN 4:23.90 .
11 505 Rebekah Greene NZL 4:27.75 .
12 255 Asmerawork Bekele ETH 4:30.02


Mageean's silver joy after Irish record

By Cliona Foley

Monday July 26 2010

SHE has long been heralded as 'the next Sonia' and Down schoolgirl Ciara Mageean showed why yet again by sensationally winning 1,500m silver at the World Junior athletics championships in Moncton, Canada yesterday.

Mageean, coached by Eamon Christie at Lisburn AC, was one of only five Europeans to qualify for the 1,500m final and, as expected, found herself in a ferocious tussle with five African runners who set a blistering early pace of 44 seconds for the opening 300m and 61 seconds for the first lap.

But at the bell, it was Mageean and Itzita Bogale who pulled clear and the gold medal came down to their thrilling sprint over the final 300m, with the Ethiopian just nicking it in a personal best time of 4:08.06.

Mageean's silver-winning time of 4:09.51 knocked a whopping six seconds off her own Irish junior record and third-placed Kenyan Nancy Chepkwemoi also ran a 4:11.04 personal best.

Mageean's time was the eighth fastest ever by an Irishwoman and she is still only 18.

"I'm so proud, it's Ireland's first ever medal on the track and I just wanted to do it for everyone back home," the delighted Portaferry star said. "I'm thrilled, too, to finish with a national record, I knew I was in it on the final kick."

Last summer Mageean won an 800m silver at World Youths and took 1,500m gold at the European Youth Olympics.

World Juniors are the accepted barometer of future senior international success and it was Ireland's first medal at this standard.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Koons and Tully at Ryan Shay Mile



In Charlevoix, Michigan today, Frances Koons was unable to defend her 2009 Ryan Shay Mile victory (4:31.9) on the roads, coming 4th in 4:38.3. On the men's side, Sean Tully, third last year in 4:04.5, finished 13th in 4:05.2. Here are the results:

2010 Ryan Shay Mile Results

Men

1.) Jeff See 3:55.9 $1,000
2.) Liam Boylan-Pett 3:56.4 $500
3.) Rob Novak 3:56.5 $250
4.) Richard Kandie 3:57.9
5.) Felix Kiboiywo 3:59.7
6.) James Hatch 4:01.4
7.) Daniel Clark 4:01.5
8.) Matthew Elliot 4:02.2
9.) Derek Scott 4:03.4
10.) Jordan Fife 4:03.4
11.) James O' Brien 4:03.5
12.) Steve Ludwig 4:04.0
13.) Sean Tully 4:05.2
14.) Juan Carillo 4:06.1
15.) Philip Lagat 4:06.4 Clear Leader @ 1/2 $250
16.) Tommy Schmitz 4:08.0
17.) Moses Waweru 4:15.5

Women

1.) Nicole Edwards 4:34.9 $1,000
2.) Nikeya Green 4:37.3 $500
3.) Delilah DiCrescenzo 4:37.6 $250/$250 Leader @ 1/2
4.) Frances Koons 4:38.3
5.) Dot McMahan 4:44.2
6.) Danielle Quissenberry 4:45.7
7.) Lauren Johnson 4:49.8
8.) Susie Rivard 4:54.0
9.) Allison White 5:00.


Friday, July 23, 2010

Recruiting Radar: Ciara Mageean at World Juniors



Irish phenom Ciara Mageean is being heavily recruited by Villanova. Today she won her 1500 heat at the World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada. Her time of 4:16.73 was only slightly off her 1500 PR of 4:15.46. The 1500 finals are to be held Sunday. Here are the results of her heat:

W 1500 meters

Heat 223 July 2010 - 9:10
Position Bib Athlete Country Mark

1 368 Ciara Mageean IRL 4:16.73 Q .
2 680 Jordan Hasay USA 4:16.74 Q .
3 128 Jennifer Wenth AUT 4:16.94 Q .
4 183 Jessica Parry CAN 4:19.08 (PB)
5 511 Hannah Newbould NZL 4:19.71 .
6 433 Akane Yabushita JPN 4:19.72 (PB)
7 145 Zenobie Vangansbeke BEL 4:21.83 .
8 477 Maureen Koster NED 4:22.08 .
9 350 Anastasía Karakatsáni GRE 4:23.56 (NJ)
10 650 Lyudmyla Kyryychuk UKR 4:31.13 .
11 194 Dina Cid CHI 4:43.44 .
. 246 Atteneri Tur ESP DNS .

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Don Paige: 30 Years after the Boycott




In contrast to the bitterness expressed recently by USA miler Steve Scott, Don Paige takes a more understanding position on the 1980 Olympic Boycott. Paige was the #1 ranked 800 meter man in the world in 1980, but could not compete in the Moscow Olympics because of the US boycott. Here is an article that appeared in today's
Philadelphia Daily News:


THEY DIDN'T GO: PAIGE RECALLS 1980 OLYMPIC BOYCOTT
By FRANK BERTUCCI
Philadelphia Daily News

DON PAIGE remembers being at the White House, remembers exactly what President Jimmy Carter said:

"We will not go."

"Mr. [Jumbo] Elliott drove me down to Washington," Paige recalled, referring to the legendary Villanova track coach. "A few athletes from each sport were selected to be there.

"When I heard, 'We will not go,' I was like, 'Really? We're not going to go to the Olympics?' ''

This was on March 21, 1980; the Summer Olympics' opening ceremony took place in Moscow 30 years ago this week. But in a reaction to the Soviet Union's (remember those red "CCCP" uniforms?) invasion of Afghanistan, Carter had warned the Soviets to get back home or face an Olympic boycott by the United States and whatever other countries he could get to support his stance.

"Mr. Elliott said to me, 'Don, I'll let you cry for 5 minutes,' " Paige said during a phone conversation while he was vacationing in Durango, Colo. "Then he told me that if this is the worst thing that happens to you in your life, you'll lead a wonderful life."

More than 60 countries joined the United States, most notably China. Some of the countries that went to Moscow marched under the Olympic flag rather than their national colors, to show some protest against the Soviet invasion. And those countries' winning athletes were saluted by the Olympic hymn rather than their national anthem when they were on the medal podium.

Paige, a native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., was one of the best middle- distance runners in the world at the time, even though he was still a senior at Villanova. He was the NCAA champion at both the 800 and 1,500 meters in 1979.

Thirty years later, he still has no ill feelings toward anyone, or any country.

"I wrote an article for the school newspaper and the [Associated Press] picked it up," Paige, now 53, recalled. "Some of my teammates were angry, but I was of the mind that [Carter] was right. I joked that I became a Republican for that one year.

"And look at it now. Look who's invaded Afghanistan now."

There would be no Olympic Games for American athletes, but there would still be an Olympic Trials for track and field athletes, and a hastily arranged "Liberty Bell Classic" that would be held at Franklin Field and would be open to athletes from boycotting countries.

Some track athletes boycotted the Olympic Trials, which four-time discus gold medalist Al Oerter referred to as "a wonderful meet, but a meet for its own sake, nothing more."

"A lot of people felt just the opposite," Paige said. "There were some who didn't go to the Olympic Trials, but to me it was an honor to be a part of the U.S. Olympic team."



Meanwhile, the Olympics went on in Moscow, without Americans, Chinese, Canadians, Germans, etc. But it did have the top two names in the track world at that time, English middle-distance runners Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett.

Ovett was the world's best in the 1,500, Coe No. 1 at 800. Somehow they got confused, with each one winning the other's specialty in Moscow. After sitting out the Olympics, Paige had headed for the European circuit, as the best American runners do each summer. But he still was looking for a showdown with Coe.

"There was a lot of planning that went into that," Paige said. "I remember one morning in January, the phone rings in the hall of my dorm at Villanova, and it's for me, and it's Marty Liquori.

"The weather's awful, cold, slushy, and Marty tells me how Sebastian Coe is in Spain and training in perfect weather. That was his way of getting me not to miss my training.

"I'm thinking, 'That SOB.' I got dressed, got soaking wet, but I got in my training. [Liqouri] knew I had to get in my work, even while Coe was doing it in Spain."

Finally, a meet was chosen for a Paige-Coe race, in Via Reggio in Italy, a small meet that was held right after a major race in Zurich, Switzerland, where Paige had won the 800 and Coe the 1,500.

"Peter Coe, who was Sebastian's father and trainer, didn't want his son to race me," Paige recalled. "I'm in a meeting for an hour or so, listening to this, and all I want is to get out and train.

"Finally, I tell Mr. [Renato] Dionisi, the meet director, that all I want to do is run. I said, 'I'm going to be at the starting line, and if you don't want me there, have security escort me out.'

"I walked out and went back to my hotel, thinking I'm going to show up at the starting line and see what happens. So when the race is called, I walk to the line . . . and no one's coming to get me. We line up and the gun goes off."

Elliott had given Paige simple advice for the race: If he never gets in front of you, he can't beat you.

Paige can still give a step-by-step of the race, 30 years later:

"I was third or fourth at 400, Coe was in second behind a rabbit [pacesetter], which they always have at meets in Europe. I remembered what Mr. Elliott had said about him never getting in front of me.

"At the bell lap I'm in front of Sebastian, I'm in second place. The rabbit usually steps off the track at 600 meters, but this guy gets off 100 meters too soon. There's 300 meters to go, and I don't know if I was ever in the lead in any race at that point because I was a kicker.

"At 200 meters, Sebastian Coe jumps. I'm amazed at how fast he is. He's a half-step in front of me, but I don't want him to get too far in front.

"We're stride-for-stride. With 50 meters to go we're dead even. I'm thinking we're gonna tie. We both lean at the tape, he pats me on the back, I pat him on the back. I look over at my teammates and give them the thumbs-up. I knew I won, and Sebastian knew he lost."

Paige won by .03 seconds, and at the end of the year was ranked No. 1 in the world at 800 meters by Track & Field News.

"I was No. 1 in the world, but Sebastian Coe was a better half-miler than me," Paige said. "I just beat him that day."

So did he take that victory for his Olympic moment?

"No," Paige said. "There's only one Olympics. That was just a great competition that I was fortunate to win."

Paige now heads the Paige Design Group in Bahama, N.C., which plans and designs track and field facilities. Coe became a member of Parliament, and is now chairman of the London 2012 Olympic committee.

Earlier this year, Paige told Track & Field News what he felt about the boycott. In part:

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing in this world, and [Carter] had to make a tough decision which I'm sure crushed him when he had to make a stand worldwide . . . There will always be politics in sports, and I believe Jimmy Carter made the best decision he could at the time . . . I still say maybe because Don Paige did not go to the Olympics, maybe I spared one life in Afghanistan. And if I did, I sleep really well at night because of that. It makes me feel good and proud."

Monday, July 19, 2010

FitzSimons off to World Juniors



The IAAF World Junior Championships start today in Moncton, Canada. Still short of his 18th birthday, Villanova signee Chris FitzSimons (Hamden, CT) will bring his 1:48.83 PR (10th best in the entire 56-person field) and compete for the USA at 800 meters. The men's heat at 800 start Friday, with the finals on Sunday afternoon. FitzSimons anchored Hamden High to both the 4 x 800 and DMR national titles earlier this summer. Here are all the competitors at 800 meters:

800 Metres Men

UPDATED AS AT 19 JULY 2010 - 10:00

BIB NAME COUNTRY D.O.B. PB SB QUALIF. BEST

721 Mohamad AL-GARNI QAT 2 JUL 92 1:46.76 1:46.76 1:46.76
725 Hamza DRIOUCH QAT 16 NOV 94 1:46.85 1:46.85 1:46.85
385 Niall BROOKS GBR 8 JUL 91 1:47.29 1:47.29 1:47.29
892 Casimir LOXSOM USA 17 MAR 91 1:47.98i 1:47.98i 1:47.98 i
856 Robby ANDREWS USA 29 MAR 91 1:48.02i 1:48.02i 1:48.02 i
667 Thomas ROTH NOR 11 FEB 91 1:48.16 1:48.16 1:48.16
388 Adam COTTON GBR 26 JAN 92 1:48.30 1:48.30 1:48.30
333 Muhammed AMAN ETH 10 JAN 92 1:46.34 1:48.50 1:46.34
359 Pierre-Ambroise BOSSE FRA 11 MAY 92 1:48.64 1:48.64 1:48.64
879 Chris FITZSIMONS USA 8 AUG 92 1:48.83 1:48.83 1:48.83
416 Michel BERNING GER 27 FEB 91 1:48.95 1:48.95 1:48.95
294 Ahmed FARAG EGY 2 MAR 93 1:49.00 1:49.00 1:49.00
336 Esrael AWOKE ETH 5 APR 94 1:49.02 1:49.02 1:49.02
364 Samir DAHMANI FRA 3 APR 91 1:49.13i 1:49.13i 1:49.13 i
440 Andreas LANGE GER 29 JAN 91 1:49.13 1:49.13 1:49.13
491 Mark PATTERSON IRL 23 JAN 91 1:49.20 1:49.20 1:49.20
414 Florian BADER GER 13 FEB 91 1:49.27 1:49.27 1:49.27
570 David Mutinda MUTUA KEN 20 APR 92 1:47.9 1:49.37 1:47.9
490 Darren MCBREARTY IRL 8 MAR 91 1:49.37 1:49.37 1:50.01
271 Miroslav BURIAN CZE 9 AUG 92 1:49.38i 1:49.38i 1:49.38 i
778 Žan RUDOLF SLO 9 MAY 93 1:49.47 1:49.47 1:49.47
810 Farkhod KURALOV TJK 18 OCT 93 1:49.47 1:49.47 1:49.47
839 Halit KILIÇ TUR 1 MAR 92 1:49.47 1:49.47 1:49.47
792 Rickard GUNNARSSON SWE 91 1:49.52 1:49.52 1:49.52
729 Adrian CIRNARU ROU 19 MAY 91 1:49.61i 1:49.61i 1:49.61 i
765 Vasiliy SADILOV RUS 21 SEP 91 1:49.64 1:49.64 1:49.64
337 Fikadu DEJENE ETH 29 DEC 92 1:49.74 1:49.76 1:49.74
310 Pablo FERNÁNDEZ ESP 22 JUL 91 1:49.84 1:49.84 1:49.84
492 Paul ROBINSON IRL 24 MAY 91 1:50.02 1:50.02 1:50.02
153 Anthonio MASCOLL BAR 17 JAN 93 1:50.07 1:50.07 1:50.07
847 Taras BYBYK UKR 27 MAR 92 1:50.07 1:50.07 1:50.07
670 Glen BALLAM NZL 21 JUN 91 1:50.15 1:50.15 1:50.15
308 Mohamed EZZAGNOUNI ESP 91 1:50.32 1:50.32 1:50.32
105 Chouaib HAMDANE ALG 9 JUN 92 1:50.49 1:50.49 1:50.49
649 Isaku MOHAMED NGR 28 AUG 92 1:50.52 1:50.52 1:50.52
716 Erick ESTRADA PUR 26 NOV 91 1:50.52 1:50.52 1:50.52
845 Alex CHEROP UGA 15 JAN 91 1:47.7 1:50.55 1:47.7
240 Tomás SQUELLA CHI 18 OCT 91 1:50.62 1:50.62 1:50.62
123 Kuey DIEW AUS 6 MAR 93 1:50.30 1:50.68 1:50.30
301 Omar BEHAOUI ESP 22 JUN 91 1:50.68 1:50.68 1:50.68
127 Adrian PLUMMER AUS 18 SEP 91 1:50.71 1:50.71 1:50.71
230 Anthony ROMANIW CAN 15 SEP 91 1:50.81 1:50.81 1:50.81
613 Charles GRETHEN LUX 1 JAN 92 1:50.87 1:50.87 1:50.87
102 Abderrahmane ANOU ALG 29 JAN 91 1:50.90 1:50.90 1:50.90
633 Christopher SANDOVAL MEX 29 OCT 91 1:50.91 1:50.91 1:50.91
711 Jorge BATISTA POR 6 JUN 91 1:50.94 1:50.94 1:50.94
540 Abedalaziz ALMERDEK JOR 26 MAR 92 1:51.68 1:51.68 1:51.68
663 Thomas Solberg EIDE NOR 20 NOV 92 1:50.33 1:52.30 1:50.33
598 Abdulaziz MOHAMMED KSA 7 JAN 91 1:58.07i 1:58.07i 1:58.07 i
577 Dickson Kipngetich TUWEI KEN 11 NOV 92 1:47.6 1:47.6
619 Amine EL MANAOUI MAR 20 NOV 91 1:47.79
253 Fabrice TAMBWE COD 3 NOV 91
608 Michael JAMES LCA 27 JUL 92
662 Abdoul Aziz KIMBA NIG 93
916 Jerry LAUTO VAN 16 JUN 91
921 Geabel Ali AL-MURADI YEM 30 JUN 94
TOTAL ATHLETES: 56

This Day in Villanova T&F History



Three years ago today Jack Pyrah passed away. Below is a tribute to the long-time Villanova coach and mentor:

Jack on Jack:
A Look at Coaching Legend Jack Pyrah


BY JACK HEATH

Near the shadow of the Walt Whitman Bridge in Gloucester City, NJ resides one of the best track coaches in the country. Jack Pyrah, now 87 years old, spent 26 years as Villanova assistant track coach under legendary Villanova coach Jumbo Elliott and 26 years as Villanova’s head cross-country coach. Elliott, considered by many to be the best American distance coach of all time, coached at Villanova for 47 years before passing away in March of 1981.

Jack joined Villanova as Jumbo Elliott’s assistant track coach and head cross-country coach in the fall of 1966 after meeting Elliott in spring of 1965 on a plane on the way to a Knights of Columbus track meet in Cleveland. Jack retired from Villanova in 1991 and is now considered Villanova “coach emeritus.” Upon his retirement, Villanova presented Jack a unique gift--the offer to accompany the Villanova track or cross-country teams to any meet in the country. Jack was inducted into the Villanova Wall of Fame in 2001.

Jack didn’t know when his Uncle George took him to his first Penn Relays in 1934 at age 16, that he would attend 73 Penn Relays in a row, and that he would witness an incredible 54 Championship of America relay victories by Villanova at Penn. More importantly, that first trip to Penn started in motion a lifetime love affair with running and track and field, and a lifetime of friendships with some of the greatest track-and-field athletes of all time.

Jumbo Elliott once said of Jack, “That Pyrah has the mind of a computer when it comes to track.” A visit with Jack reveals not much has changed. Jack still retains an encyclopedic knowledge of current and past runners and of course the famous Pyrah sense of humor.

When asked how he was feeling, Jack replied, “With both hands. That joke’s 90 years old; I’m only 87.”

Jean Pyrah, Jack’s wife of 49 years, just smiles. Jack had a series of health problems in December including a heart attack. Jean acknowledges Jack’s health problems gave everyone a scare and that Jack is currently pursuing physical therapy to build up his strength. A visitor can’t help but notice the similarity between the workouts and dogged mental toughness of the world-class runners Jack coached and the way he pursues his own current physical therapy--a walking trip the length of his Gloucester City street and back and some stair repeats in his house conjure up visions of Sydney Maree, Marcus O’Sullivan, and Don Paige pushing themselves through a workout on Villanova’s track or on the hills close to campus.

Jack grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High in 1937. He began his coaching career at Philadelphia’s Shanahan Catholic Club in 1942 in Philadelphia.

Jack coached 18 Olympians at Villanova including Eamonn Coghlan, Marty Liquori, Sydney Maree, and Villanova’s present head coach Marcus O’Sullivan. Jack stepped in and became Villanova’s head track coach in 1981 when Jumbo passed away on March 22, 1981. During his years as head coach, Villanova won three Penn Relays titles and the school’s first Big East Conference Championship. When former Olympian and Villanova alum Charlie Jenkins was hired at the end of the season, Pyrah went back to his previous coaching duties of head cross-country and assistant track coach.

“That Pyrah has heard more sad stories [from Villanova runners] than a bartender,” Jumbo Elliott said once. “He’s so nice, so understanding that some of the runners call him ‘Mother Pyrah.’” Many of Jack’s runners, now spread around the globe, keep in touch with him still. During his illness and at his birthday it’s common for Pyrah to hear from many of his former runners around the country and around the world. Jack is proof that good guys can finish first. Jack won eight IC4A and an incredible four NCAA championships (1966, 1967, 1968, and 1970) as head cross-country coach at Villanova. The 1970 title was famous because it was won after Irish runner Donal Walsh demanded that a film of the race finish be reviewed in order to prove that a Villanova runner had finished ahead of other point scorers and had been passed in the finish chute.

When asked for his favorite Penn Relays memory, Jack recalls Larry James winning the 1968 mile relay at Penn, running a 43 quarter and beating a kid from Baylor who ran “only” a 45 second quarter mile. James, a Gold and Silver medallist at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, ran on the World Record 4 x 400 relay team (2:56.16) and is now the Athletic Director at Stockton.

When asked to name his best runner Jack hesitates. “There have been so many. We’ve had guys who went on to world records and many Olympians, but I guess you’d have to put Marcus O’Sullivan and Sydney Maree at the top of the list. Marcus ran over 101 sub-4 minute miles, and 83 equivalent 1500 meter races at sub-4 minute pace. Sydney Maree from South Africa ran a 3:38 mile, a 3:29 1500 meters, and held the American record (13:01) in the 5000. Browning Ross, Villanova’s first Olympian and member of the 1948 and 1952 Olympic teams, and I met Sydney Maree his first day in America (from South Africa). He ran in a 4th of July race Browning put on in Woodbury, NJ.” Jack chuckles at the memory of a world-class runner debuting in a small, hometown race. “After the race, Browning, Sydney, and I went out to eat at a Woodbury diner,” Jack recalls. “Of course, when the waitress took our order she thought Sydney was pulling her leg when he ordered ‘passion-fruit juice’ with his meal. He said he always ordered it in South Africa but it wasn’t on the menu at the Woodbury Diner!”

Jack has also been a long-time track official in South Jersey until his recent health problems affected his mobility. Jack won’t bring it up but he has a major track meet named after him, the “Jack Pyrah Invitational,” held the first week in December at Villanova.

When Marcus O’Sullivan went on a recent recruiting trip to Kenya, he met former Villanova distance great Amos Korir. Marcus said, “Amos’s first question was ‘How is Jack doing?’” Jack was Amos’s coach at Villanova.

Another former runner, Tom Donnelly, Haverford College track and cross-country coach, was a key member of Jack’s championship teams in the 1960s. Donnelly’s runners have earned 97 cross-country and track and field All-American awards since 1980 including 24 individual NCAA championships and an NCAA championship relay team. Tom remembered, “Jack was both loved and respected by every single athlete, male and female, who came into contact with him at Villanova. He was the soul of that program for a third of a century. In his understated way, Jack Pyrah had an enormous positive influence upon hundreds of young athletes. They and Villanova are richer for the experience.”

Jack was introduced to his wife, Jean, by Browning Ross. Jack and Jean married in 1957.

Jack said, “I told Browning it’s the best thing you’ve ever done. More important than all of those trophies you won and all of the electric cooking machines you’ve won at races over the years!” Jean recalled Browning and Jack’s long friendship. “When those two got together they could just spend hours just laughing about the smallest things.” Jack closed his eyes and smiled at the memory.

“Browning would make you laugh; he had so many great sayings. One of my favorites is when he would console one of his runners with, ‘You can’t win ’em all. You can’t win ’em all especially if you just lost one.’

“I first saw Browning when he was a senior at Woodbury High School. He ran in the AAU championships as a high school kid against grown-ups. He was also New Jersey State Champ in the mile. I don’t think people realize just how good Browning was. Many of the area high school coaches never even heard of him.”

Jean Pyrah adds, “One of the toughest things about getting older is there are less and less people to share common memories with, things you’ve experienced together.”

(By the way, I’ve noticed that all of the Elliott/Pyrah products who have gone on to coaching--Browning Ross, Larry James, Tom Donnelly, and Marcus O’Sullivan to name a few--share the Elliott/Pyrah characteristics of a sense of humor and common sense approach to training, and an unsurpassed knowledge and love of running.)

On a personal note, over the years Jack has been an enormous help to me in my own coaching career at Gloucester Catholic.

With his easy-going nature, sense of humor, friendship, and expert knowledge of the sport, Jack is a great person to compare notes with and has been a huge help to me. He has even helped me brainstorm trying to think of ways to get more kids out for the cross-country team in years when numbers were small for either the boys’ or girls’ teams. To meet Jack Pyrah is to understand why so many runners--from Olympian Jim Ryun, to his Villanova greats, to local high school runners--make a beeline to talk to him when they see him.

Villanova Track Secretary Ilene Lee sums it up: “Jack is just a treasure.”

Saturday, July 17, 2010

This Day in Villanova T&F History




July 15, 1961 Moscow, USSR: At the third USA-USSR Dual Meet, Villanova greats Frank Budd and Paul Drayton made up two of the four runners who set a new World Record in the 4 x 100 relay. Hayes Jones, Frank Budd, Charles Frazier, and Paul Drayton won the men’s race in 39.1 to break Germany’s World Record of 39.5. Budd (pictured below) was considerd the world's best sprinter prior to the appearance of the legendary Bob Hayes. He held world records in the 100 yard dash (9.2) and 220 yards (20.0) Budd won three NCAA championships at 220 yards (1961) and 100 yards (1961, 1962) as well as the AAU 100 yards championship in 1962. He was 5th at the 1960 Rome Olympic 100 yards. Budd also had a brief NFL career, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles (1962) and Washington Redskins (1963). He finished his two-year career with 10 receptions and one TD. Otis Paul Drayton (above, receiving his olympic medal) was also a world record holder, running 20.5 over 200 meters in 1962. He was the 1961, 1962, and 1963 AAU champion at 220 yards and won an Olympic Gold Medal as part of the USA's 1964 4x100 relay team.

Friday, July 16, 2010

1975 Miracle Mile, Kingston, Jamaica




On May 17, 1975 two Villanova greats took turns chasing Filbert Bayi in the Dream Mile in Kingston, Jamaica. In this race Bayi set a new World Record in 3:51.0, breaking Jim Ryun's eight-year old mark of 3:51.1. Marty Liquori came second and set a career mile PR (3:52.2 -- at the time the 5th fastest mile ever run), while 22-year old Villanova senior Eamonn Coghlan in third ran a 3 second PR and shattered the Irish and European Record, running 3:53.3. At the time, it was the finest mile race of all time. USA's Rick Wohlhuter also ran a career PR, in fourth 3:53.8. Bayi's world record would be short-lived, however. On August 12, 1975, less than 2 months later, New Zealand's John Walker would become the first sub-3:50 miler, running 3:49.4.

Coghlan is Ambassador for the European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Dublin



Irish running legend Eamonn Coghlan is to deliver a motivational talk to an “inspirational” bunch of Irish athletes – all of whom have had major organ transplants or are currently on dialysis.

And former world champion Coghlan knows he will be talking to an already-motivated bunch when he meets with the members of the Irish team ahead of the European Transplant & Dialysis Games.

Dublin has the honour of hosting these Games for the first time next month, and Coghlan has agreed to come on board as Games Ambassador.

“I have been asked to speak with the Irish team at their final pre-Games get-together on Sunday, July 25th, and I am delighted to do so – but, to be perfectly honest, I know they won’t need motivation,” said Coghlan, whose motivational talk will take place on Sunday, July 25th, in ALSAA sports venue near Dublin Airport.

“All of these people have shown remarkable courage in their lives. Each one of them knows what it is like to be seriously ill, and yet they all remain committed to sport and to an active and healthy lifestyle.

“It is truly inspirational.”

Irish companies have been urged to look at a novel way of supporting this August’s European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Dublin – by letting staff members a ‘volunteer day’ to help out.

Over 350 transplant and dialysis athletes from 24 European countries will converge on Dublin from August 8th-15th for the European Games.

All of the athletes are currently on kidney dialysis or have had a transplant of organs such as heart, kidney, liver, or lung.

The Games village will be at DCU on Dublin’s northside.

“The key message of the Games is the importance of organ donation. That’s what we constantly promote, and these Games will help to spread that message far and wide,” said team manager Colin White.

Newcomer Profile: Emily Lipari



Looking Back at A Great Career
by Joe Scotchie, The Roslyn News Friday, 16 July 2010

LIPARI HEADS TO VILLANOVA AS NATION'S TOP FEMALE MILER

Next fall, Greenvale resident Emily Lipari will be running track for the nationally ranked Villanova University track squad.

In the meantime, Emily made her final year at Roslyn High School a memorable one. She won long distance events in Boston, Binghamton, Greensboro, NC, and Philadelphia, not to mention numerous races against local athletes.

At the New York State High School Indoor Championships, Emily set a personal best in the 1500 meter run, finishing at a time of 4:28.92. Earlier in the year, she won the Nike Indoor National Mile title, winning the race with a time of 4:46.77. Later in March, Emily won the 1500-meter Federation championship at a meet held at Cornell University. The win was the eighth Federation title in her record-breaking career. Emily won the race with a meet record time of 4:28.21. It was also Emily’s third state title, an accomplishment that has solidified her position as the finest female long distance runner in New York State.

In addition to her mastery of the state tournaments, Emily has long conquered the world of Nassau County track. She is a four-time Nassau County champion in the mile run and a two-time champion in both state and county cross-country competition.

Emily began her running career while only an eighth grade student. That year, she won her first All-County Award and later made the New York State Meet in the 3000 meter run.

During her freshman and sophomore years, Emily’s rise to the top of the cross country field would take large leaps forward. In her freshman year, she would then take the state championship in the 3000 meters. That year, Emily would also win All-County and All-State awards.

As a sophomore, Emily would become a national figure in the sport. She went undefeated in New York State cross country competition and competed in her first Foot Locker national tournament.

On to Villanova

For her efforts, Emily heads into Villanova as the top ranked woman’s mile runner in America, while being ranked in the top five in the 3000 meter category.

While preparing for a soccer tournament in West Virginia, Emily took time from her busy schedule to reminisce about her time at Roslyn High School.

She told The Roslyn News that her top rankings in both the mile and the 3000 meter races have not put any pressure on her as she moves toward the fast-paced world of college athletics. “I’ve learned to get used to the pressure,” she said.

Emily also looked back fondly on her amazing career at Roslyn High School, praising her coaches, teammates and her older brother, Tom, who runs track at Marist University and who has long served as an inspiration for her own career.

Emily praised the new track at the Roslyn High School football field, which she claimed made no small difference in her progress as a long distance runner. When Emily first enrolled at RHS as a freshman, the old red track was in place. It didn’t hinder her career, but the new blue track represents a vast improvement.

“The new track is more bouncy, more spongy. It’s not as chewed up as the old one,” she said.

Emily also praised the track coaching staff at RHS, plus her teammates and the student body in general.

“My coaches were absolutely wonderful,” she noted. “I will definitely miss them. It will be a difficult transition going to a new coaching staff. My teammates have been like a family,” Emily added, noting also that at a recent athletics award event, the undergraduates all made humorous T-shirts for the graduating seniors.

Speaking of family, Emily remains indebted to her older brother, Tom. Watching Tom’s own successful career at Roslyn High School was an inspiration for Emily, as has been his own support of his younger sister’s career.

Emily chose Villanova over four other major universities. By July 1, 2009, Emily, while deciding what college to attend, was allowed to visit five universities, all offering athletic scholarships. Instead, Emily decided to visit only four: Villanova, Georgetown University, Providence University, and the University of Oregon. Oregon was the last place she visited. While she was impressed with the latter school, Emily chose Villanova, not only because of its worldwide reputation for track excellence, but also because it was close to home. This way, Emily would not lose that all-important family support while running track on the university level.

The scholarship to Villanova only culminated a career full of honors. Last year, Emily’s nationwide fame was marked by a cover story that appeared in the Oct. 5, 2009 issue of Rise magazine, a publication put out by ESPN. Recently, at the Spring Sports Awards program, Emily was presented with the first-ever Roslyn High School Outstanding Athlete Award.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Corcoran 3rd at Irish Nationals 1500




Richie ran 3:49.91 in the finals of the 1500 at Morton Stadium in Santry, Dublin.

Men's 1500 meters

1 419 Christie, Mark Mullingar Harriers A.C. 3.53.18 3/i 3.48.22
2 205 Mulhare, Dan North Laois A.C. 3.53.15 2/i 3.48.76
3 20 Corcoran, Richard Raheny Shamrock A.C. 3.55.57 2/ii 3.49.91
4 19 Moriarty, Kevin Raheny Shamrock A.C. 3.55.68 3/ii 3.51.02
5 168 Warne, Joe Doheny A.C. 3.55.05 8/i 3.51.75
6 17 O'Sullivan, Gavin Raheny Shamrock A.C. 3.53.12 6/i 3.52.09
7 523 Mulhare, Michael North Laois A.C. 3.53.28 4/i 3.53.57
8 161 Brennan, Patrick Letterkenny A.C. 3.55.37 1/ii 3.53.99
9 22 Bermingham, Daire Raheny Shamrock A.C. 3.53.64 5/i 3.54.42
10 393 Mc Killop, Michael St. Malachy's A.C. 3.55.99 6/ii 3.55.23
11 353 Mc Cartan, Patrick West Limerick A.C. 3.54.35 7/i 3.55.58
12 547 Flynn, Eoin Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. A.C. 3.56.28 6/ii 3.55.65
13 450 Bailey, Aidan Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 3.52.79 1/i 3.56.03
14 151 Flynn, Patrick Ferrybank A.C. 3.55.83 4/ii 4.06.40
5 Mc Carthy, James East Cork A.C. 3.57.51 9/i DNS
57 Tremble, Liam Metro/St. Brigid's A.C. 3.58.95 10/i
481 Paine, Brett Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 4.01.00 7/ii
190 Flynn, Alex Ferrybank A.C. 4.02.96 8/ii
531 O'Hare, James Annadale Striders A.C. 4.03.01 11/i
21 Conroy, Ian Raheny Shamrock A.C. 4.05.72 12/i
138 Hamilton, Patrick City of Derry 4.07.11 13/i
157 Crossan, Gary Letterkenny A.C. 4.07.71 9/ii
140 Mulligan, Kevin Metro/St. Brigid's A.C. 4.07.86 10/ii
44 Zakis, Raivis West Waterford A.C. 4.13.57 11/ii
1 Mc Donald, Mark Clonliffe Harriers A.C. 4.14.02 14/i
18 O'Sullivan, Carl Raheny Shamrock A.C. 4.15.17 12/ii
102 Murray, Derek Galway City Harriers A.C. 4.21.83 13/ii
477 Strawbridge, James Annadale Striders A.C. DNS
84 Duggan, Ronan Bandon A.C. DNF

Monday, July 12, 2010

Marina Muncan 4:14.58 Good for 6th in Belgium Flanders Cup 1500




1500 meter AC Dames WOMEN A

1 9585 HUDDLE MOLLY USA 4'09.22 00
2 9574 MALOY LIZ USA 4'09.24 00
3 9784 TE RAA MARIJE NED 4'10.98 00
4 9572 CLARKE GEORGIE AUS 4'11.84 00
5 9577 ANDERSON GABRIELLE USA 4'12.06 00
6 9586 MUNCAN MARINA SER 4'14.58 00
7 9579 PICHETTI NATALI USA 4'19.20 00
8 9589 KOLL LISA USA 4'19.71 00
9 9578 BLOOD NICOLE USA 4'21.01 00
10 9580 PRUVOST FANNY FRA 4'21.65 00
11 9581 TSERNOV LIINA EST 4'27.71 00
12 3784 LOUBELE NATHALIE BBS 4'28.98 Mas 67
13 9584 FLUCK JOELLE SWI 4'30.05 00
14 9582 NIVET AMELIE FRA 4'30.93 00
15 9576 PEDERSEN LISBETH NOR 4'32.79 00
9569 CILLIERS JUANEE RSA NA 00
9793 FOFANA FANTA FRA NA 00

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Rhines Well Off the Pace in Lausanne 3000

Jen Rhines finished last in today's Diamond League 3000 meter race in Lausanne, France. She ran 9:24.12, a full 49 seconds off her 3000 meter PR (8:35.03) set in 2007, and 15 seconds slower than the 9:09.46 she ran on April 23rd of this year in Berkeley.

1 CHERUIYOT, Vivian KEN 8:34.58 WL,MR 4 2
2 BEKELE, Alemitu TUR 8:35.19 PB 2 4
3 DEFAR, Meseret ETH 8:36.09 1 6
4 EJIGU, Sentayehu ETH 8:37.20 PB 6 1
5 CHENONGE, Ines KEN 8:37.63 SB
6 MELKAMU, Meselech ETH 8:40.08 1 6
7 KIBET, Sylvia Chibiwott KEN 8:40.47 SB
8 KIPLAGAT, Florence KEN 8:40.72
9 KORIKWIANG, Pauline Chemning KEN 8:41.11 PB
10 MASAI, Linet Chepkwemoi KEN 8:41.37 2 4
11 OLIJIRA, Beleynesh ETH 8:44.66
12 CHEMTAI, Esther KEN 8:48.04
13 CHEIYWA, Milcah Chemos KEN 8:54.04
14 CHEMWENO, Gladys KEN 8:54.05 PB
15 KALMER, René RSA 8:59.48
16 RHINES, Jennifer USA 9:24.12
TVERDOSTUP, Tamara UKR DNF

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Carmen Douma-Hussar's Harry Jerome Classic 1500 win


Carmen Douma-Hussar's time of 4:10.07 bettered the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard and represents a big step forward in her comeback from the death of her father and the birth of her daughter. Be sure to view the interview at bottom, which reveals the integrity that has been a hallmark of Carmen's life and career.



Rhines on Tap for Lausanne DL 3000


Jen Rhines is scheduled to contest the 3000 meters tomorrow in Lausanne, France at the 7th of 14 Diamond League meets this season.

Women's 3000 meter start list

BEKELE Alemitu 17.09.1977 TUR
CHEMTAI Esther 04.08.1988 KEN
CHEMWENO Gladys 04.07.1988 KEN
CHENONGE Iness Chepkesis 01.02.1982 KEN
CHERUIYOT Vivian 11.09.1983 KEN
CHEYWA Milcah Chemos 24.02.1986 KEN
DEFAR Meseret 19.11.1983 ETH
EJIGU Sentayehu 21.06.1985 ETH
KALMER René 03.11.1980 RSA
KIBET Sylvia Jebiwot 28.03.1984 KEN
KIPLAGAT Florence Jebet 27.02.1987 KEN
KWORIKWIANG Pauline Chemming 01.03.1988 KEN
MASAI Linet Chepkwemoi 05.12.1989 KEN
MELKAMU Meselech 27.04.1985 ETH
OLIJIRA Beleynesh 26.06.1990 ETH
RHINES Jennifer 01.07.1974 USA

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Carmen Douma-Hussar Rolls in Canadian 1500 / Koons is 7th



At the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome track classic, former Villanova runners were out in force. In the most prominent race, Carmen Douma-Hussar, a former world indoor silver medalist, ran 4:10.07 to win the invitational mile and qualify for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Frances Koons was 7th in 4:15.58. Results are below. In other races at the meet, ex-Cats Sam Pawluk (3:56.44) and Allan Brett (3:55.83) also competed over 1500 meters. Sean Tully served as rabbit in the invitational 800.

Event 20 Women 1500 Meter Run Inv Philips

================================================
Cdn Record: # 4:00.27 1985 Lynn Williams, Canada
Meet Record: # 4:04.43 1991 Lynn Williams, Canada
Name Year Team Finals
================================================

1 Carmen Douma-Hussa 77 Cambridge 4:10.07
2 Megan Wright 82 Edmonton. Alb 4:10.28
3 Malindi Elmore 80 Calgary Alb 4:10.64
4 Diane Cummins 74 Victoria B. C 4:11.22
5 Julia Howard 83 Newfoundland 4:12.35
6 Bev Ramos 87 Puerto Rico 4:12.61
7 Francis Koons 86 United States 4:15.58
8 Laura Maludzinski Victoria B. C 4:16.45
9 Ashley Hinther 84 S K 4:18.82
10 Delilah DiCrescenz 83 United States 4:19.39
11 Lisa Aguilera 79 United States 4:24.69
-- Jessica O'Connell 89 Calgary Alb DNF

Monday, July 5, 2010

Richie Corcoran goes 3:49.78 at Cork City 1500



Former Villanova runner Richie Corcoran ran 3:49.78 (equivalent to a 4:07+ mile) at the Cork City Sports meet this weekend. Corcoran was the 2001 Irish Schools 1500 meter champion, the 2003 Irish National Junior Champion at 1500 meters, and the 2004 Irish U-23 1500 meter runner-up. He graduated from Villanova in 2008. Earlier this year, Corcoran set a new 5000 meter PR at the Swarthmore Twilight meet, running 14:12.28.

Cork City Sports 2010

Mens 1500 meters

1. Shaun Moralee GBR 03:41.83
2. Lee Emanuel GBR 03:41.87
3. Mitch Kealy AUS 03:41.93
4. Taylor Milne CAN 03:42.10
5. Ricky Stevenson GBR 03:42.21
6. David McCarthy IRL 03:42.24
7. Rory Chesser IRL 03:42.97
8. Kyle Boorsma CAN 03:43.23
9. Liam Boylan-Pett USA 03:44.20
10. Richard Corcoran IRL 03:49.78
11. Tim Konoval CAN 03:50.47
12. Mark Hanrahan IRL 03:54.16
13. Kurt Benninger CAN 03:55.73
14. Brian Farrell IRL 03:56.25
15. Kyle Alcorn USA 04:01.27
--. Niall Tuohy IRL DNF
--. Kevin Kane GBR DNS

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Jen Rhines' 15:22 good for 8th at Pre Classic



Jen Rhines ran a season's best 15:22.05 today in Eugene. The world record holder Tirunesh Dibaba won easily, 15 seconds ahead of the USA's Shalane Flanagan.

Prefontaine Classic Women's 5000 meters

1 DIBABA, Tirunesh ETH 14:34.07 MR
2 FLANAGAN, Shalane USA 14:49.08
3 KIPYEGO, Sally KEN 14:54.50
4 KORIKWIANG, Pauline Chemning KEN 14:55.27
5 YODER-BEGLEY, Amy USA 14:56.72
6 AYALEW, Wude ETH 15:02.47
7 WRIGHT, Megan CAN 15:21.70
8 RHINES, Jennifer USA 15:22.05
9 DAVILA, Desiree USA 15:29.78
10 FLESHMAN, Lauren USA 15:33.32
11 BAILLIE, Renee USA 15:41.95
12 HASTINGS, Amy USA 16:39.85
DIMOFF, Carrie USA DNF
HOWARD, Julia CAN DNF
MOSER, Treniere USA DNF
WELLINGS, Eloise AUS DNF

Intermediate times:
1000m Howard, Julia (CAN) 2:51.35
2000m Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH) 5:50.82
3000m Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH) 8:49.34
4000m Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH) 11:46.39

Jen Rhines' Career Progression



Below are the year-by-year progressions of Jen Rhine's best times by distance, with her career PRs underlined.

800 meters
Year Result Venue Date
2009 2:07.62 Stanford (USA) 27.03.2009
2010 2:12.66 Walnut (USA) 06.06.2010

1500 meters
Year Result Venue Date
1998 4:21.90 Sherbrooke (CAN) 07.07.1998
1999 4:18.76 Fairfax (USA) 08.05.1999
2000 4:17.30 Hechtel (BEL) 05.08.2000
2001 4:27.32 Cork City (IRL) 07.07.2001
2002 4:15.57 Cork (IRL) 06.07.2002
2006 4:21.18 Oordegem (BEL) 01.07.2006
2007 4:09.52 Carson (USA) 20.05.2007
2008 4:17.17 Santa Monica (USA) 24.05.2008
2009 4:15.43 Stanford (USA) 02.05.2009
2010 4:26.94 Stanford (USA) 01.05.2010

2000 meters
Year Result Venue Date
2000 5:58.86 Sydney (AUS) 14.09.2000
2009 5:51.69 Eugene (USA) 07.06.2009

3000 meters
Year Result Venue Date
1997 9:15.21 Eugene (USA) 25.05.1997
1999 9:01.16 Lappeenranta (FIN) 25.07.1999
2000 8:50.72 Linz (AUT) 08.08.2000
2001 8:55.28 Portland (USA) 03.06.2001
2002 9:05.90 Sheffield (GBR) 30.06.2002
2003 9:06.77 Brunswick (USA) 05.07.2003
2005 8:56.07 New York (USA) 11.06.2005
2006 9:09.30 Lucerne (SUI) 06.07.2006
2007 8:35.03 Monaco (MON) 25.07.2007 (#4 USA Woman all-time)
2008 8:51.29 Monaco (MON) 29.07.2008
2009 9:02.08 Gateshead (GBR) 31.08.2009
2010 9:09.46 Berkeley (USA) 23.04.2010

2 miles
Year Result Venue Date
2002 9:59.07 Walnut (USA) 19.04.2002

5000 meters
Year Result Venue Date
1996 16:05.85 Eugene (USA) 31.05.1996
1997 15:57.46 Philadelphia (USA) 24.04.1997
1998 15:26.88 Montreal (CAN) 10.07.1998
1999 15:25.52 Stockholm (SWE) 30.07.1999
2000 15:19.88 Stockholm (SWE) 01.08.2000
2001 15:13.26 Oslo (NOR) 13.07.2001
2002 15:13.44 Stockholm (SWE) 16.07.2002
2004 15:19.15 Sacramento (USA) 12.07.2004
2005 15:12.39 Stockholm (SWE) 26.07.2005
2006 14:55.18 Bruxelles (BEL) 25.08.2006
2007 14:58.51 Roma (ITA) 13.07.2007
2008 14:54.29 Oslo (NOR) 06.06.2008 (#4 USA Woman all-time)
2009 15:07.78 Stockholm (SWE) 31.07.2009
2010 15:22.05 Eugene (USA) 03.07.2010

10,000 meters
Year Result Venue Date
1996 33:15.88 Raleigh (USA) 29.03.1996
1997 33:17.26 Indianapolis (USA) 13.06.1997
1998 33:44.19 New York (USA) 22.07.1998
1999 32:29.67 Eugene (USA) 26.06.1999
2000 31:58.34 Sacramento (USA) 14.07.2000
2001 32:20.03 Eugene (USA) 23.06.2001
2002 31:41.16 Stanford (USA) 03.05.2002 (USA Champion)
2005 31:26.66 Helsinki (FIN) 06.08.2005
2006 31:24.16 Helsinki (FIN) 26.07.2006
2007 31:17.31 Stanford (USA) 29.04.2007 (#5 USA Woman all-time)
2008 31:30.31 Stanford (USA) 04.05.2008

10K Road
Year Result Venue Date
2001 33:15 Mobile (USA) 03.11.2001
2002 32:19 New York (USA) 08.06.2002
2003 32:22 Cape Elizabeth (USA) 02.08.2003
2004 32:44 New York (USA) 12.06.2004
2005 33:28 Boulder (USA) 30.05.2005
2006 32:39 New York (USA) 10.06.2006
2010 33:26 San Juan (PUR) 28.02.2010

15K Road
Year Result Venue Date
1998 51:00 Jacksonville (USA) 07.03.1998 (USA Champion)
1999 50:56 Jacksonville (USA) 06.03.1999
2000 50:06 Jacksonville (USA) 04.03.2000
2001 50:05 Jacksonville (USA) 10.03.2001
2002 49:22 Jacksonville (USA) 09.03.2002
2005 49:21 Jacksonville (USA) 12.03.2005 (USA Champion)
2006 49:47 Jacksonville (USA) 11.03.2006
2007 48:58 Jacksonville (USA) 10.03.2007
2010 50:27 Jacksonville (USA) 13.03.2010

Half-Marathon
Year Result Venue Date
2002 1:18:25 Virginia Beach (USA) 01.09.2002
2003 1:11:45 Philadelphia (USA) 21.09.2003
2005 1:12:56 Boston (USA) 09.10.2005
2006 1:12:09 San José (USA) 08.10.2006

Marathon
Year Result Venue Date
2002 2:41:16 Chicago (USA) 13.10.2002
2003 2:43:01 New York (USA) 02.11.2003
2004 2:29:57 St. Louis (USA) 03.04.2004
2005 2:37:07 New York (USA) 06.11.2005
2006 2:29:32 Roma (ITA) 26.03.2006

Friday, July 2, 2010

Prefontaine Classic 5000: Rhines in Loaded Field



Here's how Track & Field News describes the race:
Dibaba is sometimes called the “Golden Girl” for all of the Olympic and World Championships gold medals she has won: 2 in the Beijing Olympics, 2 in the Helsinki World Championships, one each in Paris and Osaka. Five gold medals in World Cross Country races. The 24-year-old Ethiopian is virtually unbeatable when healthy, and she is healthy now, and ready to show why she’s also knowns as “The Baby-Faced Destroyer.”
In her first appearance at Hayward Field in the 36th annual Prefontaine Classic, Dibaba has asked for a very fast pace, possibly fast enough to challenge the meet record of 14:38.73, set two years ago by her arch-rival, Meseret Defar. Dibaba, a 2-time World Record setter in the event, has a lifetime collection of marks that includes more than a dozen times faster than that, topped by her 14:11.15 from '08.

Here is the complete start list for the race:

Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia)
Sally Kipyego (Kenya)
Shalane Flanagan
Jen Rhines
Lauren Fleshman
Renee Baillie
Amy Hastings
Megan Metcalfe (Canada)
Amy Yoder-Begley
Wude Ayalew (Ethiopia)
Pauline Korikwiang (Kenya)
Desiree Davila
Treniere Moser
Julia Howard (Canada)--pace
Carey Dimoff--pace
Eloise Wellings (Australia)--pace

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Happy Birthday, Jen Rhines



Jennifer Rhines has established herself as the second most accomplished runner in the history of Villanova track and field, below only the great Sonia O'Sullivan. A short list of Jen's highlights include: five individual NCAA championships while running for Villanova (3 outdoor 5000s, 1 indoor 5000, and an individual title at NCAA cross); four top-30 finishes at World Cross (including two top-20 finishes); three USA olympic teams at three different distances (5000, 10,000, and marathon), a USATF 10,000 meter national champion; a USATF 15K national title; two top-10 IAAF World Championship 5000 meter finishes; a sub-15:00 5000 meter PR; a sub-2:30:00 marathon PR; and a world top-10 ranking at 10,000 meters. The list could go on. Today Jen turns 36 and is still a dominant force on the US track scene.