The movie Rudy....who are Rudy's in college running? any stories that are similar?

In the movie, they allowed him to suit up for one game (out of pity). Then they allowed him on a special team (for one play), at the end of the game, when they were winning by a large margin.

A Rudy type XC runner would be a guy who logs 100 miles+ per week. Trains with intensity (would lead out "part" of the first set in an interval training session to help out the top guys on the team). Never misses a workout. Has a great attitude, but can't break 16:45 for 5k.

In his 5 years with the team, he would improve from low 18 minutes to high 16 minutes. The coach would then let him run one (no impact) XC meet in his senior year (as the 7th man).

The team would cheer him to the line as he would be battling out not to finish last in the race.

He would out lean the last guy and drop to his knees in exhaustion, running the best race of his life.

He would then smile for the whole bus trip back to campus...

I think many of you are forgetting that Norte Dame at the time was supposed to be a very good D1 football program and played good talent. So, sure this hypothetical Rudy type runner might not be a top D1 guy, but to be able to even make the squad - regardless of not starting - would mean this guy would probably be in the 14:45-15:15 range for 5k. I imagine this type of runner would finish as the 7th man at the conference and regional meet and given the opportunity to run at nationals as a 5th year senior.

^Thank you. I was beginning to think nobody here has ever watched the movie, based on some of the responses. Rudy was totally unsuitable for D1 football by any measure, but he had a ton of heart and was a nice guy that everyone liked to have around. More of a good luck charm. 16:45 sounds about right, but he would probably not be allowed to train with the team, he would be carrying a clipboard for the coach or something. I don't think there is anything in XC which is analogous to a practice squad/tackling dummies.

My High School PR;s to College PR's qualify me as a Rudy:

High School:

800m: 2:33

1600m: 5:14

3200m: 11:11

5k XC : 19:04 (Never made Varsity)

College (Walk-On):

800m: 1:51

1500m: 3:44

Mile: 4:01

3000m: 7:56

5000m: 13:39

10,000m: 28:34

8k XC: 23:31

10k XC: 29:52

I never did get the chance to lower my high school 5k xc pr.

[quote]agip wrote:

Brian Sell, no?

My memory is that he was a 430 miler and 10 flat 2 miler in HS but worked so hard that he eventually made the olympic team.

Yes.

Yes, Me.

I was in a D1 school for the academics. I jogged, or what I thought was jogging, and was asked to join the cross country club team. I did. We ran in a un official race against the varsity, and I won outright.

I was asked to join their team, and did, and was not treated very well by the others who were considered the top 5.

I ended up drinking and partying most nights due to my feeling of being un accepted and was asked to leave school by my sophomore year.

^Thank you. I was beginning to think nobody here has ever watched the movie, based on some of the responses. Rudy was totally unsuitable for D1 football by any measure, but he had a ton of heart and was a nice guy that everyone liked to have around. More of a good luck charm. 16:45 sounds about right, but he would probably not be allowed to train with the team, he would be carrying a clipboard for the coach or something. I don't think there is anything in XC which is analogous to a practice squad/tackling dummies.

...and I forgot. He would have had to run for a team like Stanford, BYU or Oregon.

A team with great history and currently at the top of their game.

Somehow, he would have had to convince the coach to let him train with the team in exchange for carrying the clipboard at meets (or something like that). Because of his great attitude, dedication to the sport and overall likability, the coach would somehow allow him to train with the team.

Dave Sime was primarily a baseball player in high school. However, in N.J. at that time one could compete in two sports in the same season. Representing Fair Lawn H.S. he ran in a couple of invitational meets posting victories in the 100 yard dash running impressive times. At Duke he continued to excel in baseball, playing well enough to consider a professional career.

Coach J46 wrote:

Dave Sime was primarily a baseball player in high school. However, in N.J. at that time one could compete in two sports in the same season. Representing Fair Lawn H.S. he ran in a couple of invitational meets posting victories in the 100 yard dash running impressive times. At Duke he continued to excel in baseball, playing well enough to consider a professional career.

I give up. Nobody has seen the movie...