Galen Rupp and his B/S Record

Mtn Dew wrote:

The US HS Nat' Record was set in the boys triple jump this week too, kid jumped 54'10'' w/ a 56'02''w. No one is complaining about that anywhere.

Oh you should see the discussion over at

I think there should be standards for records. For a high school baseball team or track team, it is clear to me since those are being held under the auspices of the school league.

For this issue, one needs standards. I have seen several here but it is apparent that no one knows what the standard is. There are standards for being a "junior". I do not think it is too much to ask for a clear definition.

The trouble with using a set date is that schools vary in terms of when they get out or start school; the year round schools present a whole new problem. Also what about home schooled kids, none of them would be eligible under some guidelines?

Perhaps we should just stick with juniors as defined by IAAF. For a HS record to be set, maybe it needs to be set only in a HS meet.

I have emailed the TFN editors to see what their criteria is.

There is a HS standard it is with the NFHS. No 5000 meter, no mile no 2 mile only 1500 1600 3000 3200 for distances. And they have a date cut of but I really do not remember when it is.

I don't think it should be a high school record either. He graduated. It is a legitimate U.S. junior record though.

Just a few points. No one I know recognizes the NFHS records as the definitive source. The times we're talking about him beating in the 5k Ritz, Lindgren, Pre weren't in season marks either. We can't be having to different standards here. So it is ok if you are on a US team running in July in Germany, or get into the US championships on a special allowance and run against pros, but if you fly over to Europe yourself and run a race with pros it shouldn't count?

There are a lot of good points about Rupp not being the best hs distance runner ever. I agree with that point, but he is in the top group of all time guys. There are also a lot of posts by people that haven't done any research at all. Alberto Salazar IS the distance coach at Central Catholic. No doubt Rupp has advantages and gets more attention, but people are stating that he isn't at all with his high school program etc. The other guys are also being coached by Salazar. They aren't all doing to same stuff, but that is the same on any team with wide ability levels. Rupp did not only run in pro, open, etc. races. He ran several high school meets this year. Now, he didn't go all out in most of those races, but I'd like to hear a good explanation of why he should have.

I agree with the above wrote:

Also he is basically sponsored by Nike too, his highschool uniform he wears is custom made, not even Arkansas or Stanford has custom uniforms like that, he also gets spikes before they are even released and I'm sure he doesn't ahve to pay for any of it. I'm saying I'm just saying he gets WAY more special treatment probably than any US highschool runner ever (ie doing 200 meter repeats at the Nike headquarts when the weather was bad) Maybe if I could take shelter at the Nike headquarters to do speedwork in the winter and run on an underwater treadmill for 1/3 of my mileage I wouldn't have gotten injured my senior year of track.

Central Catholic's unifors are nothing special. You have no idea what you're talking about. I know guys that aren't fast at all that have tested product before it is released. They weren't rocket propelled spikes. If you think running 200m repeats in a long office building corridor is what put Rupp over the top, then I guess that is super unfair. It is also unfair that some people can train in San Diego high schools in the winter and others have to train in Fargo. If we bring every runner down to the least commond denominator of any runner would that make you happy?

This guy brings up a very good point. Why the hell is this record set July 31st? That's insane, he should have ran that time 2 months ago when EVERYONE else in the US is expected to run fast. I mean, who the hell wants to run fast in late July/August rolls around?? What important meets are there during that time???????

Of course, I'm being a smart ass. With high school and college, athletes are trained to peak in Nov, sometimes in March and again in May/June. I think this has been a problem for some athletes as far feeling as the spring season gets "extended" for track into the summer. I feel that athletes get tired come August b/c they have never done anything other than be in peak shape for May/June. Most distance runners are taking break and then going into Base mode for the upcoming cross season.

Of course, I'm refering to kids up to a year or two out of college. The veterans have made the changes after a few years.

gizard

Very simple, most track and field fans recognize Jack Shepard (boys) as the guru of T & F records (from Track and Field News). Any time/distance in the summer during HS years or before college count as a record. It makes very good sense!!!! Track and Field is a sport that the world recognizes as a summer sport (yes, summer). That is when they have all of their national/international championships!!!!! Olympics, world championships, Grand Prix, etc. are all in the summer (even into the very late summer, Sept.) We Americans should get our head out and realize that the real track and field is in the summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why should we take our recognition of HS records only from the "off season"?????????

there is one wrote:

There is a HS standard it is with the NFHS. No 5000 meter, no mile no 2 mile only 1500 1600 3000 3200 for distances.

Question: Rupps' record aside, who else finds finds this 1600/3200 business beyond annoying? NOBODY in the world does 1600/3200 except US HS. Do the mile or the 1500. Do the 2 mile or the 3000. Are US HS coaches so inept that they can't figure out where the 1500 starts or agile enough to walk backward 9 meters from the current start line? (To their credit, one of the local HS tracks that I use from time to time does have 1 mile and 2 mile start lines, although I don't know if they ever use them.)

High School...who cares about that anymore? Rupp is currently ranked as the 20th best American at the 5k this year. And while I totally understand different conditions and whatnot and don't want my ass chewed out, Rupp's time would have finished him 6th at the US Olympic Trials. That's not where he would have finished, but rather to keep things in perspective. The kid is so far beyond high school now in every fashion except for the fact it was before August 31st, so the time is still legit. A date has to made somewhere, though.

The date for HS'ers to make records may be extended this year so Rupp can try fo the 10 meter record. What do you all think about that?

You're an idiot because you completely misread what I wrote. I wasn't saying Rupp was only good because he runs 200 meter repeats and wears nike spikes that havn't been released yet. I was pointing out the special treatment he gets and how lucky he is to have that because most high schoolers get screwed by the demanding racing schedule (over racing) that they have to endure. My post was mainly directed at my opinion that I liked Ritz more than Rupp because I thought he had more natural talent and is just an all around stud. I have absolutely nothing against Rupp and am glad he is running this fast. I hope he goes after some other records he should easily be able to break before he loses his high school status. With the success Rupp and Browne are having right now, I wish Ritz could go and run with them because I think he could do some serious damage if he trained like Rupp does. Its obvious that people have disadvantages and advantages and you can never level the playing field and I wasn't complaining about that at all. Next time read what I say correctly instead of going off on me. American distance running is still far behind but I think some of our younger guys are definitely showing potential and I'm excited to see how the next few years pan out. Go Rupp, Webb, and Ritz! and stay healthy......

Central Catholic's unifors are nothing special. You have no idea what you're talking about. I know guys that aren't fast at all that have tested product before it is released. They weren't rocket propelled spikes. If you think running 200m repeats in a long office building corridor is what put Rupp over the top, then I guess that is super unfair. It is also unfair that some people can train in San Diego high schools in the winter and others have to train in Fargo. If we bring every runner down to the least commond denominator of any runner would that make you happy?[/quote]

I did read your post, but not as close as I should have, and maybe misinterpreted a little of what you said. I see now that you are more referring to him getting special benefits versus actually things that make him run faster, and I think I did jump on your post a little. I still want to point out that he did go to other meets than the type you refer to. In addition, what is your source on Central's uniforms being custom designed? I agree that it would have been interesting to see what Ritz could have done given a similar training, and I think even more so, racing schedule as a high school senior.

who's fault is the racing schedule? dombass coaches overrace their athletes -- I was lucky enough to have HS coach who was smarter, so was Rupp.

An 18 year old kid runs 13:37, before he enters college. That is a record. Its a HS record. Its a junior record. Its really, really, really fast - for anyone. For an 18 year old its incredible, which is why no one has done it in 30 years, and besides Ritz no one has come close. Give the kid his due!

The idiot started this thread because he's jealous. TAFNEWS has always accepted HS "records" made during the summer after kids graduate. The HS pr lists and record lists would look a lot different if records could only be set before "graduation". Most big invites and such are during the summer after school is out. Give him his due. 13:37 5k, 4:01.6 mile. Great year. Yeah, he was second at cross, and did lose a mile to 22 yr. old Kiptoo, but overall, he ran fastest, and ran the best. Hope his development continues on this even keel.

You are right! The coaches need to figure out what kind of athlete that they have and coach them accordingly. It will be very interesting now to see what Alberto can do with this kid who has had a tremendous year as a senior in hs and now he will have him again for his college frosh year. I hope that he continues to progress.

Why all the hatred for Lindgren?

I've noticed some harsh skepticism about what he said he ran and likewise, but leave the man alone. From what I've heard he had one of the toughest lives as a kid, hence why he ran so much, to avoid being home. He was homeless for a bit later in life. Kudos to the guy for still being alive.

I know a bunch of you pussies living easy lives wouldn't be able to put up with half the shit he went through. And he kicked your ass on the track, so show the man some respect.

But for the initial argument, whether or not you think it should or shouldn't stand, Rupp ran the record according to the rules set forth at the time of his race, so he's accredited the record reguardless of what anyone wants to say or do about it. If you'd changed the rules, he'd probably try to peak early in the year to get the record, who knows. He did run 13:37 so it's not like he barely beat the record.

for the following reasons:

a) if the governing body says it is a high school record, it is. if it does not, it is not a HS record. why bother debating?

b) Rupp ran very well (understatement). he deserves our respect for his accomplishment, rather than nitpicking technicalities.

c) most importantly, this thread demonstrates a problem with American distance running. rather than rejoicing in the performance of a dedicated, talented 18-year-old, someone (and others) found it more important to mouth off about life being unfair than to investigate his training methods and encourage his future. kudos to all those who recognize what Rupp did as being truly remarkable.

keep up the good work, young man.