Researcher Wanted
One of the topics frequently mentioned here is the influence the NSSF has had on our sport and its athletes. We stress this since it's something of which we are quite proud. But we'd like to have you see for yourself just what we're so proud about.
So, a quiz is being set up. Below is a list of every US athlete who has won a medal starting with the 1984 Games. The object is to search the archives at nationalscholastic.org and match the year the athlete competed in either the NIN and/or the NON. While you do this you'll find some pretty interesting facts. It took the great SANYA RICHARDS, IAAF Athlete of the Year, until her senior outdoor season before she could win an event. She took the 100m � 11.48 as well as the 200m in 23.03. You'll be surprised at whom she bested and her margin of victory.
Over the past several days I've pored over the old results and I find it fascinating to see how some of our greatest athletes progressed. Also, an ever-present question, what happened to some of the past winners who are nowhere to be found today nor in past OG's. One also spots trends, the same schools producing superb athletes year after year. There are some great hs coaches out there. It's a shame they rarely get a shot at coaching one of our nation's teams. Even the best athletes could use some help.
But, I digress. Back to the quiz. All the US medalists can be found below. Your task is to go the nationalscholastic.org, scroll down and click on either the indoor meet or its outdoor counterpart. Look at the list to the right and click on �Past Results.� Start with 1984 for the Indoor meet and 1991 for the Outdoor event. When you're finished, e-mail your findings to me, fmbyrnes@aol.com. The winners will be posted next month. Each perfect score and/or winner will receive two VIP passes to either the NIKE Indoor Nationals or the NIKE Outdoor Nationals. Good luck!
US Olympic Medalists� 1988 � 2005
1988
STEVE LEWIS � I'm often asked what was the best race I've ever seen and the 1987 match-up of Lewis, WILLIAM REED and TYRONE KEMP has to be right up there. Everyone knew the race, run at Yale University's Cox Cage on a very fast 4-lane track, was going to be great. Reed had lead the nation in 1986, 45.4 with Lewis, #2-US, 46.50. Kemp's 47.33 was far down the list.
At the gun Lewis grabbed the lead with Reed and Kemp right behind. It stayed that was until the 300m mark where Reed fought past Lewis and held on for the win. I recall walking over to a bent-over Lewis and hearing him say, �I did my best, I didn't have anything left. Kemp took third with, I think, Virginian Kerry Wooden fourth. Reed's winning time, 47.42 and Lewis, 48.32.
NOW LISTEN TO THIS! The following year, Steve Lewis was the Olympicwinner, Kemp, the Indoor NCAA 400m champ with Reed suffering a virtual career ending injury!
HOLLIS CONWAY - This one will be tough. HINT: Look in the wrong event.
1992
DENNIS MITCHELL
MICHAEL BATES
CARLETTE GUIDRY-WHITE
DARNELL HALL
STEVE LEWIS
HOLLIS CONWAY
1996
ALLEN JOHNSON � Toughest one to find. Not hurdles.
DERRICK ADKINS
KIM BATTEN
CHRYSTIE GAINES
DEREK MILLS
MAICEL MALONE
KIM GRAHAM
RANDY BARNES � When Barnes won the indoor shot put he wasn't allowed to accept his medal due to West Virginia rules. It was presented to him at his high school graduation by his principal.
MONIQUE HENNAGAN
2000
MARION JONES
TERRENCE TRAMMELL
ANGELO TAYLOR
BERNARD WILLIAMS
CHRYSTE GAINES
PASSION RICHARDSON
JEROME YOUNG
LATASHA COLANDER
ANDREA ANDERSON
ADAM NELSON
NICK HYSONG
LAWRENCE JOHNSON
2004
JOANNA HAYES
JUSTIN GATLIN
LAURYN WILLIAMS
TERRENCE TRAMMELL
BERNARD WILLIAMS
ALLYSON FELIX
JEREMY WARINER
OTIS HARRIS
DERRICK BREW
KELLY WILLIE
DAROLD WILLIAMSON
MONIQUE HENDERSON
SANYA RICHARDS
CRYSTAL COX
MONIQUE HENNAGAN
MATT HEMINGWAY
DWIGHT PHILLIPS
MEBRAHTOM KEFLEZIGHI
DEENA KASTER (DROSSIN)
ADAM NELSON
MOUSHAMI ROBINSON
One final thought, I've listed only those athletes who won a medal. To try and list every NIN/NON alumnus would take quite a few more pages.
