I think it’s unfair to include GF. He did his 4 years in college then tried to be a pro until 2016 or so.
Verzbicas does not belong in this thread. He’s still the HS 2-mile record holder, but suffered a horrific cycling accident that ended his running career. If that had not happened, he would have returned to Oregon or refocused on running. He had the potential to be one of the GOATs of American distance running and belongs in a “What if…” thread.
I don’t recall Fernandez ever suffering a significant injury and he ran for 10 years after college. For whatever reason, he mostly plateaued during that time.
I disagree. Thread title is “Top high school athletes who went to NCAA and then dropped out or stopped running. Where are they now?” all of which apply to LV.
For context Lukas had perhaps the best HS career of all time including multiple Foot Locker XC titles, an NXN title, sub-4 mile (only 5th ever at the time) and sub 8:30 2-mile which I believe still stands as the national record. Then the summer after high school he won the world junior triathlon championships. To the dismay of many running fans, he dropped out of Oregon his first year in favor of training for triathlon. One or both of his parents had been international athletes in Lithuania and he seemed to become consumed by the prospect of reaching the Olympics in any sport. (Personally I’m skeptical of how the Oregon program may have treated him as he was an elite recruit, had basically no off season and then they just threw him right into cross country where for the first time in his life he was middle of the pack. You’ve got to think long term with talent like that and do what’s best for the athlete both physically and mentally.) Unfortunately he had a really bad bicycle accident shortly thereafter and, although he was eventually able to run again, was never fully the same. He still pops up in the running world from time to time including as an “ambassador” at the Foot Locker meets. It’s a real shame we never got to see him develop fully in any sport but he was amazing to watch in what turned out to be his prime, total natural.
There are many of them and it has been discussed many times. Just start with most of the girls that won FL or NXN. Sarah Baxter, Brie Oakley, Claudia Lane Irene Riggs, etc.
Marlee Starliper. She was a top recruit in the 2020 class. Went to NC State and had so much promise, but was plagued with injuries. I had hoped when she transferred to Colorado that she would be back. I don’t think she ever ran a race there.
Verzbicas does not belong in this thread. He’s still the HS 2-mile record holder, but suffered a horrific cycling accident that ended his running career. If that had not happened, he would have returned to Oregon or refocused on running. He had the potential to be one of the GOATs of American distance running and belongs in a “What if…” thread.
I don’t recall Fernandez ever suffering a significant injury and he ran for 10 years after college. For whatever reason, he mostly plateaued during that time.
You forget German tearing his Achilles at NCAA’s as a frosh? Then came back and set a world jr mile record indoors a few months later
I didn’t forget it, it happened close to the finish and without it, he probably would have finished in 3rd behind Rupp and Chelanga. Obviously he didn’t tear his Achilles and my recollection is that he hardly missed any time at all. Regardless, the injury didn’t end his career.
I think it’s unfair to include GF. He did his 4 years in college then tried to be a pro until 2016 or so.
Verzbicas does not belong in this thread. He’s still the HS 2-mile record holder, but suffered a horrific cycling accident that ended his running career. If that had not happened, he would have returned to Oregon or refocused on running. He had the potential to be one of the GOATs of American distance running and belongs in a “What if…” thread.
I don’t recall Fernandez ever suffering a significant injury and he ran for 10 years after college. For whatever reason, he mostly plateaued during that time.
You don't recall Fernandez suffering a significant injury? Huh? That was his story from jr of high school on. The flashes of extreme brilliance in between injuries is what made everything all the more impressive.
Verzbicas does not belong in this thread. He’s still the HS 2-mile record holder, but suffered a horrific cycling accident that ended his running career. If that had not happened, he would have returned to Oregon or refocused on running. He had the potential to be one of the GOATs of American distance running and belongs in a “What if…” thread.
I don’t recall Fernandez ever suffering a significant injury and he ran for 10 years after college. For whatever reason, he mostly plateaued during that time.
You don't recall Fernandez suffering a significant injury? Huh? That was his story from jr of high school on. The flashes of extreme brilliance in between injuries is what made everything all the more impressive.
He missed most of a year in HS and came back to run a HS 2-mile record his senior year. I don’t know about injuries during post HS, but regardless, there wasn’t one that ended his career at age 18.
According to this article, Verzbicas only managed to run 14:51 and 31:30 during his comeback attempt:
San Diego, Ca. — By the time the “Meb Keflezighi 10,000 meters” was called to the Mesa College track around 8:30 p.m. last night, most of the 250-300 competitors and spectato…
