Tony Parrilla

Watching Parilla run the last 200 was a true joy.

No one knows who Parilla is because no one has commented on this thread. The subject should be, "Anyone remember when UT Vol Tony Parilla ran 1:43.97 as a 20 year old?"

Was that Parilla's PB? What happened to him?

I know who Tony is (and I know Tony). Great runner, and hilarious guy. I still get goose bumps watching his trials races in '92 and '96.

This is Letsrun and Parilla was not GWH.

.....For the young or the uninformed, Tony Parrilla was about 5' 8" with Rec Specs that ran the 800 at Tennessee in the early 90's. His strategy was like Robbie Andrews. Hang in the back and then kick like a mad man except he had better wheels than Andrews but not the strength to run the 1500.

Parilla is my favorite runner of all time! I was in a high school when I met him at a track meet in San Jose. He signed my autograph, took a picture with me, and talked with me about running. Then I realized how good he was and cheered like crazy for him from that point on. Great runner and great guy! I always wished he'd go out a little harder, though. His finish to make the '96 Olympic team was crazy--just barely made the team thanks to his ferocious kick.

i have that 1992 race on video. mad kicker, but often went a little too late . . . having too much in the tank at the line.

parrilla was never "it" when the neighborhood kids played tag.

I was at the 1992 Trials so yeah, I remember who he is

Rich Kenah knows who Tony Parilla is.

Parilla edged Kenah for the 3rd spot in the '96 Olympic Trials.

Kenah was going to hang up the spikes after that but came the next year to win Bronze ine the '97 World Championships but Rich never made an Olympic team.

i was just thinking about him randomly about a month ago. Def remember the 96 race. and i think some of the others before that- prob 92 as well because I remember in 96 like here we go again. He and Johnny Gray should have merged strategies they would have won like 2 Olympics in a row haha- easy for me to say. I didnt remember he ran 143.9 that long ago.

if a tree falls in a forest wrote:

No one knows who Parilla is because no one has commented on this thread. The subject should be, "Anyone remember when UT Vol Tony Parilla ran 1:43.97 as a 20 year old?"

Was that Parilla's PB? What happened to him?

Tony is alive and well. He still lives in Knoxville has two sons both of whom have got the stuff. Tony is spending this summer coaching em up with the Knoxville Track Club Youth Athletics Program. The gift that Tony had in the 800 is showing through in his coaching today where I am sure he will make his mark as well.

What does Mr. Parilla have to do with Mr. Wheating, other than both are 800 runners???!?!!?!?

The original post had to do with the hype that Parrilla would have received for his 1:43.97 that he ran after his sophomore year at UTenn and making the 1992 Olympic Team and comparing that to the hype (deserved) that Wheating is getting for his performances.

1:43.97 versus 1:45.03 at this point in time.

Wheating has his whole career ahead of him. I don't think Parrilla ran any faster than the 1:43.97 but did make the 96 Olympic Team as well.

Anybody remember the old track and field listserv in about 1993-1994? There were about 300-400 people on it and you would get about 75 to 100 emails a day.

What's the frequency Kieron?

anyone have any other vids of parilla?

Kenah made the Olympics a few laters later in Sydney.

he doesn't have a wikipedia page soooo what do I do?

I had forgotten about the Florida 800 Crew....

Scott Peters, Lewis Lacy, Stephen Adderley,

Who was the guy for Florida who could high jump 7' 1" and run 1:47?

I remember reading it on usenet. It was great.

I also remember calling a 1-800 number to get updates on the world championships one summer.