i think of Ots Davis, Jerry Tarr, Harry Jerome, when thinking Oregon
i think of Ots Davis, Jerry Tarr, Harry Jerome, when thinking Oregon
I was in Spokane in HS & college at the time. Maybe it helps to use Gladwell's Tipping Point to understand the popularity--the enduring love for both Pre and Oregon. You had an environment where running was becoming more popular nationwide, where important distance wins against the Russians--plus the 1964 Olympic performances in the 5 & 10; Billy Mills & Gerry Lindgren... so Pre moved into that cultural movement. And like charismatic athletes in other sports (the Williams sisters), Pre drew increasing attention to the sport, to Oregon, to running. There was a synergy with a highly charismatic figure, growing interest, drama and success in USA track, and the "running revolution" (that included marathon popularity after Shorter's Munich victory). Compelling competition, personalities, and the growing wave of running popularity. Pre's legend lives on.
SDSU Aztec wrote:
Pre ran 3:57 that spring which was only 6 seconds off the WR at the time. He also finished third at the NCAA championship the previous fall. Here is the article:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/vault.si.com/.amp/vault/1970/06/15/the-freshman-and-the-great-guru
But the summer before he even got to Oregon he had qualified for the US national team and competed in big international competition. What he had done at Oregon before the SI cover was more just confirmation of what was widely known in the track world.
Read Bowerman and the Men of Oregon and tell me Oregon wasn't big before Pre.
Oregon made Pre.
SDSU Aztec wrote:
messi wrote:
No! Tracy Smith made Pre.
Pre was 4th in 1969 AAU (Miama Dade College) behind Tracy Smith, Gerry Lindgren, Juan Martinez (Mexico).
AAU made all candidates for national team run a Mickey Mouse meet in Honolulu (its on Youtube). Smith balked, and AAU banished him to Siberia. The national AAU tour of Europe was dual meets (so Lindgren & Pre) repped USA.
Pre got so much experience and confidence from that AAU tour of Europe.
AAU later allowed Tracy Smith on the team for 1969 Pan Pacific Games (Tokyo) which he won.
So consider Tracy Smith a huge part of Pre's development and life.
Pre was surprisingly good in hot weather conditions.
And now....you know.....the rest of the story.
Did Smith pace Pre to his 8:41 HS record?
No. He did something much more = gave him international experience.
Whatley wrote:
i think of Ots Davis, Jerry Tarr, Harry Jerome, when thinking Oregon
And Dyrol Burleson. He never never lost a race running for Oregon.
Am I living in the twilight zone? The Boston Marathon weather was terrible!
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Move over Mark Coogan, Rojo and John Kellogg share their 3 favorite mile workouts
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Mark Coogan says that if you could only do 3 workouts as a 1500m runner you should do these
2024 College Track & Field Open Coaching Positions Discussion