Who is the best ever runner from your state?

New Hampshire

Andrew Wheating (though Vermont would also claim him)

Russell Brown

Cathy Schiro O'Brien

Didn't we just do this thread a few months ago.

Also what does "from your state" really mean?

Born in the state, or grew up in the state?

So many to choose from in California. Steve Scott and Ryan Hall would be on the short list.

Roughhouse Doyle wrote:

Vermont--

Judi St. Hilaire

+ John Dimick

+ Andrew Wheating

I know only that these runners went to HS in WA:

- Doris Brown (go Seahawks)

- Gerry Lindgren

- ASD Power Trio: Chris Lukezic, Jordan McNamara, Carl Moe

Doris probably wins it on sum of accomplishments.

West Virginia:

1) Dave Wottle

2) Steve Taylor

Oops -- not Dave Wottle in WV.

Delaware could at least have Vicki Huber...but who's Rhode Island got?

Yes, this thread just happened quite recently.

You usually have to go where they went to high school/middle school, or at least a significant part of their childhood. The birthing argument holds no water. Shorter was from NY (not Germany), Salazar from MA not Cuba or even CT (where he spent his younger years until age 10 or 12). Flanagan was born in CO but was a toddler when she left. As a runner she's from Mass. Likewise, Webb is from VA, not Michigan where he was born.

An exception to this reference might be someone who was born in a certain state, maybe moved away for several years but returned and made that place their home.

That said, Colorado: Goucher, maybe someday Elise Cranny.

Melody Fairchild comes to mind, as a GOAT at the high school level. PattiSue Plumer went to school in Montrose and capped her career with a 5th in the Olympics, but she was born in California and moved back there right after high school.

T BONE wrote:

My Illinois Top 5...

1. Lukas V

2. Jorge Torres

3. Evan Jager

4. Derrick

5. Sage

What about Craig Virgin? He was two time World Cross Country Champion, NCAA Cross Country Champion, 3 time Olympian.

What about Rick Wohlhuter? He was the former world record holder in the half mile.

The Northwestener wrote:

Gerry Lindgren

Jordan Mcnamara

Matt Davis

analbumcover wrote:

Is this a joke? Jmac isn't even the best from his city. Matt Davis? Are you pulling names from a hat?

My thoughts exactly on the above.

From the top of my head:

Doris

Gerry

Lukezic

Schwald

Felnagle

Pixler

Davis

Quade

Riley (Rick)

Jmac

CA:

Steve Scott - over 100 sub-4 miles, most of any American.

Mary Decker - in spite of what she was accused of later in her career there is no disputing the incredible performances she had in 70's/80's.

Ryan Hall.

DedicatedRunner wrote:

CA:

Mary Decker - in spite of what she was accused of later in her career there is no disputing the incredible performances she had in 70's/80's.

Perhaps, she was the best (assuming that she did not take drugs in her 20s) but she was more than accused of doping in the mid-late 1990s.

Spivey is from Illinois.

??????????? wrote:

Spivey is from Illinois.

No, spivey is from Michigan. Jeez.

shortshorter wrote:

Maine

First ones that come to mind are:

Joan Benoit Samuelson

Ben True

Louie Luchini

Riley Masters

Ryan Fenton (easy choice)

Bruce Bickford number one

Strangely I was thinking of Colorado

Goucher was born in FLA, went to school in the Colorado Springs area (Doherty),

Pat Porter was born in Minn. but went to high school in Evergreen, CO.

Fairchild was born in Boulder and stayed.

Georgia

I'd claim Edwin Moses (Moorehouse) and Benji Durden (UGA) but they were born elsewhere. Gwen Torrence? Is that it?

Second place wrote:

New Jersey

Marty Liquori

He actually ran quite well after HS.

Though never running in the Olympics, his 3:52 & 13:15 are as impressive now as they were when he ran them in the 1970's.

Marty made the '68 Olympic team at 1500. He beat his teammate from Villanova, Dave Patrick, much favored for the team, for 3rd at the final Olympic Trials. Marty made the Olympic final but hurt his foot before the race.