TOP 10 HIGHSCHOOL DISTANCE BOYS OF ALL TIME

nombredel wrote:

1. Ryun. Similar to Webb grading technology improvements and more accomplished.

2. Webb. 3:53 in High School. Another class.

3. Drew Hunter. 8:42 as a Junior. 3:57i and 3:58. Record-setting FL champ as well.

4. Ritz. outrageously talented. 14:29 National Champ and record as a JUNIOR. World Junior Cross Country medal. 13:44.

5. German Fernandez. His cross country times were insane, and he was sick at FL. He would have dominated like Ritz.

6. Verzbicas. He bested German's times, though German was a year young for a senior and Lucas a year old for a senior. German's times were close enough.

Lukas V. shouldn't be below anyone except Ryun, maybe Webb, at most, and no way should be below German, who shouldn't even be on any top list, with that 3rd place Footlocker. For example, Rupp (2nd Footlocker, 4:01 mile, 13:37) > German.

Let me take a shot -

1. Jim Ryun

2. Gerry Lindgren

3. Alan Webb - 3:53, enough said

4. Lukas Verzbicas - 8:29, enough said

5. Galen Rupp - 13:37, enough said

6. Steve Prefontaine, 8:41, 13:52

7. Craig Virgin, 8:40, 13:58

8. Dathan Ritzenhein

9. Drew Hunter

10. Rudy Chapa, 28:32, enough said

Young, Sprout, and Methner are rewriting the record books.

Some Kenyan kid from Eldoret.

If you put Dathan down, you should also consider Don Sage- Don had a faster mile time (4.00.39) and an a near-equivalent 3200 time (8.42 to Dathan's 8.41 run the next day). Don also ran 14.03 for 3 miles.

I would not consider Rupp and Chapa. Yes, they have great records but those distances are not run in HS throughout the nation. Virgin's 5k I would not count for the same reason.

I'd take Rupp out of the top 10 for sure. It'd be hard to be considered top 10 with the "Ballerness" meme out there. Plus, I don't think his time would hold if all the greats ran the 5k. Chapa, I don't know enough about in HS races. 28:XX is incredible but not a HS race. It's hard for me to believe anyone running faster at 17-18 years old. Virgin I'd keep in the top 10. His body of work in HS really can not be matched.

A top 10 list is to short. Top 25 maybe would work. Even at 25 we'd be splitting hairs for the last 5-10 spots.

You realize that 14:03 for 3 miles is like a 14:40 5k which is quite pathetic for a 4:00 high school miler. Ritz was a World Cross Country medalist on the most difficulty stage and a 2 x XC Xhampion.

greenliner wrote:

If you put Dathan down, you should also consider Don Sage- Don had a faster mile time (4.00.39) and an a near-equivalent 3200 time (8.42 to Dathan's 8.41 run the next day). Don also ran 14.03 for 3 miles.

What???

Rudy Chapa.....case closed.

nombredel wrote:

1. Ryun. Similar to Webb grading technology improvements and more accomplished.

2. Webb. 3:53 in High School. Another class.

3. Drew Hunter. 8:42 as a Junior. 3:57i and 3:58. Record-setting FL champ as well.

4. Ritz. outrageously talented. 14:29 National Champ and record as a JUNIOR. World Junior Cross Country medal. 13:44.

5. German Fernandez. His cross country times were insane, and he was sick at FL. He would have dominated like Ritz.

6. Verzbicas. He bested German's times, though German was a year young for a senior and Lucas a year old for a senior. German's times were close enough.

7-11 Lindgren, Virgin, Fisher, Nelson, some new guys I have not kept up with.

Lukas was an old freshman but he graduated in 3 years. He was 18. Reality is that after Webb and Ryun and Lindgren, there is a pretty chasm back to to everyone else. Is there really a noticeable difference between Drew Hunter and Grant Fisher?