Ever known of a sub 4:10 high schooler who didn't even attempt college track?

Pappy wrote:

Illinois had a State Champ back in the 80's that never even thought of going to college.

Who?

athlete46 wrote:

I am fairly certain you are wrong. Peter Rono went to college in USA after he was done racing internationally. There are many Ronos. I am referring to 1988 Olympic 1500m gold medalist. Billy Konchellah was on Kenya's national team at age 18. Don't half correct me with no facts. If you're going to correct me, state for which college they competed.

Wikipedia is your friend.

Hoodlum Priest wrote:

Yong-Sung Leal

9:00/14:27 as a Soph. 7th at FL Nats as a JR. 8:57 as a SR, No collegiate running.

He did a make a return to running at 26, about 6 years ago and crush some legit times.

It's too bad his family was part of that stupid cult. That pretty much kept him from running in college. But he did save a woman from being kidnapped. That's worth more than any running accomplishments anyway.

dudebod wrote:

Jeff Nelson.

Wrong. "after a series of injuries during his first three collegiate seasons--the first at Oregon, the next two at Glendale College--he gave up serious competition in 1982."

LV wrote:

Verzbicas

Wrong. "In November 2011, after running in only two cross country races for the University of Oregon, Verzbicas announced that he would be leaving the school to pursue a career in triathlon with the hopes of making a future US Olympic team."

Peter Rono ran in the 1988 NCAA meet for MSM and lost to Falcon.

coulda been great wrote:

Hoodlum Priest wrote:

Yong-Sung Leal

9:00/14:27 as a Soph. 7th at FL Nats as a JR. 8:57 as a SR, No collegiate running.

He did a make a return to running at 26, about 6 years ago and crush some legit times.

It's too bad his family was part of that stupid cult. That pretty much kept him from running in college. But he did save a woman from being kidnapped. That's worth more than any running accomplishments anyway.

Wait what? Sounds like a crazy story! Want to give more insight into this?

Mount Saint Mary's: I know Peter Rono attend school there after he was done as an international athlete. I do not know for certain that Peter Rono competed FOR Mount Saint Mary's.

What cult? wrote:

coulda been great wrote:

It's too bad his family was part of that stupid cult. That pretty much kept him from running in college. But he did save a woman from being kidnapped. That's worth more than any running accomplishments anyway.

Wait what? Sounds like a crazy story! Want to give more insight into this?

He was a Moonie:

Don't know the guy personally but based on some googling it looks like he managed to get out of it.

I stand corrected on Peter Rono. Thank you.

after running in only two cross country races for the University of Oregon,

Uh key word "track"

I do know of a 4:08 that was not offered any money... But was offered a tryout. He made the team but the coaching was terrible and he saw minimal improvement. I think he ran 3:47 for 1500 two years later.

What cult? wrote:

coulda been great wrote:

It's too bad his family was part of that stupid cult. That pretty much kept him from running in college. But he did save a woman from being kidnapped. That's worth more than any running accomplishments anyway.

Wait what? Sounds like a crazy story! Want to give more insight into this?

Uh, there was a thread on this very same topic on this very same message board the very same that the news story came out. How about you do your own research if you can't keep up with the news as it's happening?

Very same week*

athlete46 wrote:

Peter Rono, Billy Konchellah and many many others from Kenya.

Billy Kochellah ran one season at San Diego State then transferred to New Mexico when the program at SDSU fell apart after the departure of head coach Richard Hill. According to the WikiPedia page on Billy he graduated from New Mexico with a degree in business administration.

Glad someone mentioned Verzbicas already, but yeah, there are probably many who could run the time and either 1) didn't go to college or 2) were not interested in competing in college or 3) were playing another sport.

And this goes with so many sports. I know a skateboarder with the ability to be a pro but not the desire at this point. I've seen it with high school athletes in soccer as well.

Good job on the research, Billy Konchellah. Athletic.net is hit & miss obviously for athletes in the 1980's.

drew hunter

Xoze wrote:

About 1 millions Kenyans.

I was going to mention East Africans but certainly not millions!

I went to this thread from a few years ago and found from Hawaii, Kurt Mench 1970: 4:06.3. Don't believe he eve went to college.

The complete thread is here:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4982553

Probably a few more from that list who never went to college.