Just think about 2009:
-Fernandez breaks indoor WJR for the mile
-Not one, but TWO guys break the 5,000 AJR (Derrick & Fernandez)
-Rupp breaks indoor 5,000 AR
-Rupp runs roughshod over everyone at indoor and outdoor NCAAs and USATF.
-Ritz breaks Kennedy's 5,000 AR
-Teg runs 12:58, barely missing Ritz's new 5,000 AR
-Ritz runs 27:22 and finishes 6th at WC, the highest finish by an American at 10,000 in an international championships since Frank Shorter
-Both Ritz and Teg finish within almost spittin' distance of Bekele in their sub-13:00 races.
-Three Americans make the 5,000 WC final, including one rookie (Solinsky)
-Three Americans make the 1500 WC final, including two rookies (Manzano and Lomong)
-Significant PRs abounded: Symmonds (1:43), Lomong (3:32), Manzano (3:33), Ritz (12:56 AR and 27:22), Teg (12:58)
This was as good a year as we have seen in long, long, long time. This is the first time I can remember that we have multiple guys who closed the gap on African dominance.