HS runners who had little/no success at the High School level but really excelled in college

Reed Fischer from Hopkins MN

He did make state for cc but in college and now he has been doing a lot better

My friend in college was a 300m hurdler in high school. Walked onto our team and was an 800/miler. Worked hard all 4 years, had some bad luck with injuries, but generally just kept grinding his whole undergrad. Ran maybe 1:57 and 4:02 or so (for 1500). After college went to Boulder and trained and within a couple years ran 14:35 or so and 3:49 (maybe faster). Was awesome to see years of hard work click and payoff. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy. Shows what sticking with it through injuries and disappointment and making a commitment can do. This was 20y ago when those times were pretty decent, especially for a post collegiate with no support.

Scott ran 1:52 and 4:15, 4th at CIF and definitely was recruited elsewhere.

The classic late-bloomer was Rodgers, who was 4:28 in HS, not much in college, mucked around in the 2:20s for the marathon then in his mid-20s popped a 2:09:55 to win Boston and hit the big time.

Dick Buerkle was one of the most successful walk-ons in NCAA history at Villanova. 4:28 to 3:54i WR and several Olympic team/US titles.

Rodgers ran a 4:28 in 1965. That's was a pretty solid high school time. I think he also said his long run was like 4 miles. I can't image how bad the college training must have been🤣 When he started back up running, it took him like 1 year to break 2:30 and 3 years to win a bronze medal at world's XC and break 2:10... Once he started training he got good in a hurry.

Elise Stearns already. Sophomore @ NAU

HS bests: 800m = 2:20.13, 1-mile = 5:17.75, 3200m = 12:06.98

She burst onto the collegiate scene this cross country season with a 5th place at the Cowboy Jamboree with a decent 20:29 6k on the hilly Stillwater course. Then a shocking 3rd place at Nuttycombe behind Tuohy & Chmiel in a very impressive 19:57.5. She then won the Big Sky Championships and took 2nd at the Mountain Regionals behind Evelyn Kemboi in 19:55.7!

Then, at the Big Dance, back at Stillwater just over a week ago, she placed 4th at Nationals behind only Tuohy, Valby and Chmiel as one of 19 women to break the old course record in a blazing fast (on that course) 19:43.9 (she was 196th at Nationals in 2021).

NOTE: Her HS cross country best 5k was 18:22.67

I don't believe S Scott is as good of an example as you are implying. S Scott was a high school 1:52.xx 880 yard guy. That 4:21 mile was a mile not 1600m. California high school state meet has almost always had great 800m or 880 yard performances. I believe S Scott made it to CA state final, 880. Who knows what was said between S Scott and J Bush. Did J Bush tell S Scott, S Scott would have to be willing to be a 400m & 800m guy?

Surprised none of the old heads have mentioned Greg Fredricks yet. Never broke 10:00 in high school but made the Oly team (that didn’t go due to boycott in ‘80) in the 10k.

G F isn't the only 10 plus high school guy to do well in later years. I can't find any evidence of Dick Beardsley racing sub-10 2 miles in high school. I can't find any evidence of Frank Shorter racing sub-10 2 miles in high school. Steve Holman's high school personal bests were similar to S Scott's high school times: 1:50 or 1:51 800m, 4:16 or so 1600m I believe. S Holman never raced sub-10 3200m in high school but he had a legit reason. S Holman was needed for 4 x 400m relay. S Holman stopped racing 3200m in 10th grade.

Garet Grant (Winona cotter)- hasn’t started breaking out until 12th grade track

35th in this region race

wi.milesplit.com

NCAA DIII North Region Cross Country Championships 2021 - Complete

MileSplits official Complete formatted results for the 2021 NCAA DIII North Region Cross Country Championships in Colfax WI.

Open link

Tyler Andrews?

Buerkle did not run 3:54 at Nova.

Greg ran 9:30 in high school. In 1072 set the 10,000 AR at Penn State, defeating Frank Shorter.

Tom Byers ran 4:18 in hs.

His freshman year, 1974, he won both the Senior and Junior championship at 1500m, the only track athlete to accomplish the feat in any event. Ran 3:37 twice that year.

Elly Henes

Malmo-I’ll take your word on Fredricks. My info was based on statements made over drinks with Coach Groves…who was often accused of ‘’not letting the truth get in the way of a good story’’.

I had the chance to get to know Greg a bit many years later. He is one of the most giving individuals in the sport. From his work with the NVTC to his officiating meets and so on…just a standup guy in my experience.

Bumping because nobody has provided a better example.

Josh Moen ran 17 min. for a 5k and mid 10's for the 3200 in high school, and he ended up as a six time division 3 champ, and ran 13:35 and 28:20's for the 5,000 and 10,000, 1:02 for the half marathon, and 46:38 for 10 miles.