i feel as though jeff nelson's name should at least be mentioned on this thread. just seems right.
i feel as though jeff nelson's name should at least be mentioned on this thread. just seems right.
I'd also add Craig Virgin to the list - 840.9 2-mile in high school.
There are 3 movies about the best high school
runner in the world. You have to measure the
Impact of the Person, without the superficiality
of mere numbers. There is no high school runner
in world history that inspired and motivated as
many people as this guy. Yah, he only ran 8:41
in the 2 Mile and 4:06 in the Mile; but, for some
reason, he has inspired more people, young and
old, to take up this sport with passion, then
anyone else. Certainly, Holy Wood had a part in
this reality; but without the charisma and passion
he demonstrated to the Game of Running, no one
would have had anything to write about.
The best high school runner in all time world history
without a doubt.
And you who would denigrate his persona with references
to the mistake he so obviously made; should realize
that there was another entity involved in that fatal
night that caused the death.
And keep respect.
Pre was good. But aside from all that sentimental crap he still was simply not as good as some other guys.
enduranceguy wrote:
2. Next would be Don Sage who closed a 56 last lap of an 8:40 2mile. He probably could've gone a faster and had plenty of other credentials.
Don Sage shouldn't even be in this discussion.
enduranceguy wrote:
Pre was good. But aside from all that sentimental crap he still was simply not as good as some other guys.
In HS?
You really need to review your HS history.
Jeff Nelson would be #1 in my book.
Obea Moore
Since nobody specified distance I'll mention Houston Mctear.
What sentimental crap are you referring to owl. Inspiration?
Motivation? Passion? And who said anything about Pre?
You yourself with your owl eye recognize who he is and
what he is known for.
I really hate to be really old school.
Bob Mathias.
Blows away most all that have been mentioned so far.
there was a high school runner around the same era of pre from the east coast by the name of art dulong...dont overlook him. he's legit.
Decker? Brannen? Cornelius Chirchir? Kipchoge? Just throwing some out there.
enduranceguy wrote:
1. I'm going to have to say Lindgren at least as far as versatility is concerned. went 4:01, 8:40, and 13:44 which means he ran faster at at least one of the distances than any of the other guys.
2. Next would be Don Sage who closed a 56 last lap of an 8:40 2mile. He probably could've gone a faster and had plenty of other credentials.
3. Ryun. made olympic team, went sub 4 at 17. Didnt have the endurance to do what lindgren did at 5k so thats really the only reason he isnt number 1.
4. Alan Webb
4. Rupp, Pre, Ritz, Chappa, maybe others im missing
Oh, yeah, sure...Don Sage in front of Jim Ryun...lol, lol, lol, lol
Not as fast as Ryun but I think Marty Liquori was pretty good. Rich Kimball too.
ohio state baby wrote:
Jesse Owens- 4 world records while in HS
since jesse owens is a sprinter and the 100 is in the decathlon im gonna throw bob mathias into the mix!! reppin bobbys hometown!
I agree the Bob M. is the greatest HS athlete-hey Olympic Gold- I honestly would not call him the bestdistance runner, from my side of the track that is Jim Ryun.
In the dashers... Mc Tear.
So how about a guy from Scotch Plains called Renaldo Nehemia? 12.9 for the hurdles in HS is as dominant as it gets.
http://www.blackathlete.net/artman/publish/article_01191.shtml
mike_old_fart wrote:
I really hate to be really old school.
Bob Mathias.
Old school is the only way to go. Don't forget Quickie McRunsalot, who dominated the old Hay Bale League. I'll never forget when he won the 5-furlong cart race by 30 fathoms. School boys would come from miles around just to see Quickie dominate the competition using his patented "Quickie shuffle." I have little doubt that he would have won the 1500 meter Olympic final but, alas, the modern Olympics had not yet been invented. I'd rank 'em as follows:
1. Ryun
2. McRunsalot
3. Lindgren
4. The Guy in Accounting Who Claims to Have Run a 3:45 Mile in P.E. in the 10th Grade
5. Prefontaine
I was one of the officials who signed his 12.9 record application and am a huge Skeets fan but, as much as it pains me, I have to give McTear the slimest edge in the dashes.