Teg vs Solinsky: who had the better career?

Teg, easily.

Just PRs

1500 - Teg 3:34.25 - Solinsky 3:35.89

Mile - Solinsky 3:54.52 - Teg 3:56.38

3000 - Solinsky 7:34.32 - Teg 7:34.98

5000 - Solinsky 12:55.53 - Teg 12:58.56

10000 - Solinsky 26:59.6 - Teg 27:28.22

However, Teg is a 2 time Olympian whereas Solinsky is the US Non-Olympic GOAT

Suzy is the Badger GOAT even though she became a hooker.

Solinsky had the better collegiate career than Teg. Solinsky had the big Footlocker win but Teg got a 5th in World Jr Cross.

Just PRs

1500 - Teg 3:34.25 - Solinsky 3:35.89

Mile - Solinsky 3:54.52 - Teg 3:56.38

3000 - Solinsky 7:34.32 - Teg 7:34.98

5000 - Solinsky 12:55.53 - Teg 12:58.56

10000 - Solinsky 26:59.6 - Teg 27:28.22

However, Teg is a 2 time Olympian whereas Solinsky is the US Non-Olympic GOAT

Suzy is the Badger GOAT even though she became a hooker.

Solinsky had the better collegiate career than Teg. Solinsky had the big Footlocker win but Teg got a 5th in World Jr Cross.

26:59 and not an Olympian. That has to haunt him.

across the trax wrote:

Teg, easily.

Really?

Without thinking about it, I was going to say Solinsky.

1) Solinsky was a champion in HS (Foot Locker). Teg didn't win FL.

2) Solinsky was a champion in college (4 or 5 NCAA titles, Teg won 0). Teg never won an NCAA title.

3) As pros, SOlinsky ran faster and is the 2nd fastest non-African in both the 5k and 10k.

Yes Teg was viewed as being better than Solinsky but that's because he was older and thus beating him most of the the time. Solinsky was the younger brother who ended up being better.

The only thing Solinsky has is the 2-time Olympian thing. Well 4th at Worlds wasn't bad.

But Solinsky was clearly better in HS and college and then his pro career was basically ended before it had time to flourish due to the injury.

statistician wrote:

across the trax wrote:

Teg, easily.

Really?

Without thinking about it, I was going to say Solinsky.

1) Solinsky was a champion in HS (Foot Locker). Teg didn't win FL.

2) Solinsky was a champion in college (4 or 5 NCAA titles, Teg won 0). Teg never won an NCAA title.

3) As pros, SOlinsky ran faster and is the 2nd fastest non-African in both the 5k and 10k.

Yes Teg was viewed as being better than Solinsky but that's because he was older and thus beating him most of the the time. Solinsky was the younger brother who ended up being better.

The only thing TEG has is the 2-time Olympian thing. Well 4th at Worlds wasn't bad.

But Solinsky was clearly better in HS and college and then his pro career was basically ended before it had time to flourish due to the PEDs.

^This (...oh, but I fixed your post for you).

2 Olympics AND 3 world championship teams (including the "okay" 4th place finish). Oh, and that American record 8:07.07.

How many senior into teams did Sol make?

across the trax wrote:

2 Olympics AND 3 world championship teams (including the "okay" 4th place finish). Oh, and that American record 8:07.07.

How many senior into teams did Sol make?

This is what I was gonna say. I'd say what most defines ones career is how they competed at the highest stages. Teg showed up big where it counted and has the 2 mile record and the olympic berths. Also that brutal 4th place at Worlds is a pretty big achievement. I'd give the significant edge to Teg for these reasons and for his longevity.

TLW wrote:

26:59 and not an Olympian. That has to haunt him.

Him and dozens of East Africans.

Neither of them had what you would call a running "career".

Solinsky was cut short by pity party's and injury and Teg got old mentally when he should have still been peaking physically.

Those things were their death knell long before they actually retired.

Comparing marathons :

Solinsky's n/a > Teg's 2:12

I'd say Tegenkamp.

He was an Olympian that ran just a stellar AR with his 8:08 2 Mile at Prefontaine.

And Teg got to go out on his own terms, not because of direct injections to his hamstring caused so much trauma.

Average Elite these days wrote:

Him and dozens of East Africans.

How many Americans have run sub 27?

I'd say anytime you are #2 all time for your country in two Olympic events but don't make an Olympic team, that has to sting. Regardless of where you would place among east Africans.

I understand the traditional emphasis on the importance of making world teams and performing well at the world championships, but over their primary event of the 5000 Solinsky was outright faster. Not only is his PR faster, but he has multiple performances faster than Tegs best at that distance. His 10k is also way more impressive than any of Teg's PRs. So in terms of time Solinksy definitely comes out on top.

Also, how much do we factor in Diamond League performances? I'd argue those are often more competitive than Worlds. I'm too lazy to look up who had the better body of work at those events, maybe I'll get to it one day, but I think we should look beyond Championship style meets in comparing their careers.

kjc wrote:

And Teg got to go out on his own terms, not because of direct injections to his hamstring caused so much trauma.

I don't think Teg "went out" in a very good way at all. He basically hit 30 & lost all competitive drive, from what I can tell.

Solinsky at least has a gruesome injury for his legacy.

Solinsky, no question. Teg had a solid but forgettable career. Solinsky had a legendary season that will be remembered for decades.

statistician wrote:

across the trax wrote:

Teg, easily.

Really?

Without thinking about it, I was going to say Solinsky.

1) Solinsky was a champion in HS (Foot Locker). Teg didn't win FL.

2) Solinsky was a champion in college (4 or 5 NCAA titles, Teg won 0). Teg never won an NCAA title.

3) As pros, SOlinsky ran faster and is the 2nd fastest non-African in both the 5k and 10k.

Yes Teg was viewed as being better than Solinsky but that's because he was older and thus beating him most of the the time. Solinsky was the younger brother who ended up being better.

The only thing Solinsky has is the 2-time Olympian thing. Well 4th at Worlds wasn't bad.

But Solinsky was clearly better in HS and college and then his pro career was basically ended before it had time to flourish due to the injury.

Sol had the better career just because he was a better school runner???

*facepalm*