Take into consideration that today's athletes benefit from advanced training, nutrition, shoes, and also compete on great tracks. It makes what Ryun and Lindgren and those in the 50s and 60s did even more impressive.
Yeah it’s true. What lindgren and Ryun did in their time would blow away everyone today. The diet, tracks, shoes and training have all come so far. That’s not to take away from what webb, chesarek and Rupp did, they were all incredible, but Ryun and lindgren were just in their own class. In my time kyle merber and Quinn Raseman were killing it. I remember when they thought merber could be the 6th person to go sub 4 in highschool, I got to race him in XC one year and he taught me the meaning of what good is. And even the great Kyle Merber would get smoked by all the above, gotta respect them.
I was a sophomore in high school in Kansas when Jim Ryun was a a senior at East High in Wichita. I ran the 880. Jim Ryun was a legend and am very proud he was from the Land of Oz!!!
@@colwynt Hobbs Kessler's 3:34, 1500m National High School record last spring is much better than Ryun's previous National High School record of 3:38 /1500m.
It would be interesting to speculate what early distance runners could run with modern amenities: superior track surfaces, improvements in trainers and race gear, and big meets with pro talent.
Rahn Lipp maybe their environment wasn’t so inferior as you think. Nowadays you have clothes that are labeled as “lightweight”, shoes that advertise “4% speed increase”, tracks that are good for speed, etc. When new generation sees all these things they slack in training and get comfortable with training with such conditions that if you were to put them in normal running gear and environment, they would see a noticeable change in Personal Record times. That’s my pov
I was a distance runner in the 70's and always wonder how much faster I could have run with, better tracks and better training and motivation/inspiration of watching youtube videos. I doubt it would have made a huge difference but it could have helped. As far as shoes and gear, by the late 70's the shoes were pretty good. When I started in 72, there were almost no running shoes to pick from.
No mention of Tim Danielson or Marty Liquori - 2nd and 3rd sub-4:00 minute HS milers. What is remarkable about their performance is that they set these marks in the '60s when equipment and track surfaces were significantly poorer than they are today. But I totally agree with Ryun, Lindgren, and Pre (though I would rank Pre higher) who also ran in this era. Love your work - much appreciated.
@Richard Milliken On a 54-year old record? No doubt a bunch, but it was a great record in its time and Liquori went on to run his sub-4-minute mile in the Spring. How many of your 50 guys could do that?
@Richard Milliken Offhand, I don't recall Liquori ever even running a 2-mile track race in HS. In my memory bank is a recollection of Ryun running an 8:25.2 for the 2-mile, but I believe that was in his early college years.
My Grandpa, Dave Kemp, coached #9 Jeff Nelson in high school. It’s true, he ran well over 100 miles a week and my grandpa ran with him during it. Legendary shit!
I ran against him twice in X-Country when I was in High School. The only time we saw him was at the starting line. He was a legend in Southern California.
Age records in the mile prior to Jakob Ingebrigtsen: 16: 4:06.7 - Barrie Williams 17: 3:57.43 - Steve Cram 18: 3:53.43 - Alan Webb 19: 3:51.3 - Jim Ryun Jakob's mile times: 16: 3:56.29 17: 3:52.28 18: 3:51.30 19: (we'll have to wait and see)
I have to congratulate Jakob for winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500m. Unbelievable! I never thought that he would beat Timmy Cherioyt from Kenya. I salute Jakob!!!
A good list. Ryun deserves to be #1. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him at a running camp in PA about 10 years ago. What a good man he is!! Uniquely good.
Great job! Guessing from your voice, you're a young guy and I give you credit for giving runners like Ryun and Lindgren their due. I'm younger than they are, but when I started running as a freshman in high school, the older guys spoke of these two with reverence. Ryun was the prototype, tall lean, and powerful with great natural speed and endurance. Lindgren was the opposite. Shorter than most at five six, he had a racecar engine on a VW frame. He nearly broke the four minute in high school with a 4:01.6! Personal demons and injuries cut his career short, but when he was on, he was nearly unbeatable. You should do a feature on Lindgren and his running style.
I ran the mile in high school, I graduated in 1965, like Jim Ryan. In 1962, our sophomore year, Ryan had the fastest high school mile, about 4:08. I told everyone that he would break 4 minutes in high school, and I was right.
Amazing, Jim started running in his sophmore year & he was timed at 5:37 in the mile during the beginning of X/C and within 9 months he runs a 4:07 in the mile in outdoor track. 1 year later and Jim runs a 3:58 mile.
I actually met Jim Ryun a couple years ago. I was a sophomore in high school and me and my brother went to a Crosscountry motivational convention at a random high school. They had several runners there and Jim Ryun was the last one to speak. At the time I had no idea who he was but after his speech I was greatly humbled to be in the presence of such a phenomenal person and athlete. I got a picture with him and it remains to be one of the greatest moments in my running life.
Steve Prefontaine was a dominant high school runner! Undefeated and unmatched! "Pre's People" documentary shows unseen photos, film and untold stories of what made him great from an early age! Inspiring!
@@RK-um9tu You might want to check the times that he ran in late 1960s conditions. They say more than enough to justify his ranking. I am assuming that Prefontaine once stole your girlfriend (or did your mom), considering that you are obesessed with him. This isn't the first time that I've seen you look foolish while bad mouthing the guy.
No hunter for 7:59 3000,1:48 800m,3:57 mile? Not to mention he doubled back after the 1:48 800m to run 8:44 3200. He sadly got Lyme disease and couldn't do too much later
This video is supposed to be about High School distance runners and the 800m & mile are middle distance races. Hunter's 3K time of 7:59 is not even close to being enough to knock Galen Rupp's National High School 5K record of 13:37! Had Galen won the National XC Foot Locker Championship instead of coming in second by 2 seconds he would deserve a higher ranking.
@Michigan Wolverine in Austin But that wasn't Webb's best distance. Ritz never even broke 4 minute mile in high school, while Webb went more than 6 seconds under.
@Michigan Wolverine in Dallas I agree 100%. The mile is a middle-distance running event. Ritz clearly dominated in Cross-Country for 2 years as well as dominating during his era in the 2 mile & 5K. I love Jim Ryun but he was not a great X/C or 2 mile runner. He shouldn't be listed as one of the greatest H.S. Distance runners.
@@rsasserlosal The mile is a middle distance race. X/C & the 2mile & 5K & 10K are long distance races. Ryun never even broke 9 minutes for the 2 mile. Eric Hulst should be on this list before Ryun. Ritz, Lindgren, Nelson and Hulst are the greatest H.S. X/C runners.
I remember reading in Cordner Nelson's book about Jim Ryun that when Ryun would do interval training on the track, he would "rest" between repeat 440s by lifting weights! He was my idol during my high school years (72-76), and I finally got a chance to meet him at a 12K race in Arizona in the late 70s. He took off at the starting gun with a tremendous stride. I chided my friend later for being beaten by Ryun over the last 100 yards--"Another victim of the Ryun kick.!"
I feel hunter could’ve made the actual list. 3rd fastest mile and xc 5k. And the comeback. Also is there any real evidence for lindgrens alleged training or is it just his word because he also claimed to run a 16:08 4-mile And lastly isn’t ingenrigsten technically a highschooler or was it only americans
Ingebrigtsen ran 3:52 as a high schooler and broke 4 as a would be sophomore. As well as getting the 1500 and 5K gold at the Euro championships. Looks like just US high schoolers.
Yeah, Lindgren is a weirdo. He could run for sure, but from interviews I've read with him I wouldn't take much stock in what he says, just what he does.
@@JoeMac1983 I think he knows what he says is outrageous, original letsrun troll. Dude claims to run a 1:58 marathon and then faint 200m from the finish.
I remember watching Ritzenhein at the state cross country race. I was just a spectator and was jogging near the trail and the guy flew by me faster than I'd ever seen anyone run. Second place was so far behind him. It was a thing of beauty to see.
Just saw this 2 year old video....it is very well done. Not many here old enough to have seen all these runners....but I am....I remember Gerry Lindgren in heavy stiff shoes, poor tracks, different training and nutrition standards....and running times no contemporary College runner could equal. Great choice. I was in Eugene watching when Ryun beat Snell.(cheering on friends Morgan G. and Archie S.R) Jim was the most gifted runner I've seen, not the most successful though. Great to remember these fine athletes............thanks...
I was privileged to see Jim Ryun run in Modesto, CA in 1965 as he was just finishing his incredible high school career. He already had established a name for himself. In a star studded field he won the race in 3:58.2. The second place runner ran the same time and the 3rd and 4th place runners ran 3:58.3 if I remember correctly. It was a photo finish and we didn’t know who won until they made the announcement. What a great race. Jim was the best ever. A fine gentleman and a tremendous athlete. He provided some great memories for my childhood.
In the context of being as close to the best in the world as a High School student nobody comes close to Ryun. He was less than two seconds off the WR mile with his 3:55.3. When Webb broke this record he was more than six seconds off the WR.
mark Bateman Jakob Ingebristen is better hit a 3:52 and is still a senior won multiple euro championships and a great 5k guy too but I think this is just americans
@@richardmilliken8705 If I remember correctly he retired at 22 and was unbeaten in the mile in his career. Glad that he is remembered. That said, this list was about American HS runners, not Australian Olympians.
Ran Oregon distance in the early 70s, met Pre and Ryan. Ryan at #1 makes sense; Pre's competitiveness would have had him finish higher than #7 if all these great runners had a race.....
Lindgren beat Pre in the three times they clashed in the college x-cross country championships when Gerry ran for WSU and Pre for Oregon. In Pre's defense, Lindgren was four years older and the more mature runner. But for high school accomplishments, Lindgren is hard to argue against.
Eric Hulst, a legend in Southern California in the early 1970s. Ran 9:04 2-mile as a Freshman, 8:50 as a Sophomore, 8:45 as a Junior. Was the IAAF Jr. World Cross Country Champion as a Senior. Died of a brain tumor in 1992 at the age of 34.
I was a freshman in high school in Southern California and watched those incredible duels between Eric Hulst of Laguna Beach High School and Ralph Serna from Loara. Great times. I believe Eric ran an 8:44 at the state championship and Ralph finished second at 8:45. Then there was Thom Hunt out of San Diego's Patrick Henry HS.
@@LeeFred78 Yeah, the 1975 CA State 2-mile final is legendary. Eric ran 8:44.9, but it is officially 8:45.0 because it was hand-timed, if you can believe it. I know Ralph quite well. My older brother and Ralph used to train at the same summer running camp together. Every year, former HS track stars get together to talk about the good ol' days on the track. Most are from Southern California, but we have special guests on occasion, like Ron Larrieu (1964 Olympian, 10,000m finalist) Craig Virgin, Matt Centrowitz, Jr. (2016 Olympic 1500 gold medalist). If you competed in So Cal during the 1970's, you would definitely recognize the names, such as Mark Schilling (Garden Grove HS, 1972 State Mile Champ, 4:05), Barry Williams (Torrance HS, broke Jim Ryun's National 16-year-old mile record at 4:06), Brian Hunsaker (CDM 8:55 2-mile), Marc Genet (Santa Ana HS, 8:53 2 mile), Jeff Nelson (Burbank HS, 8:36 2-mile, smashing Virgin's national record), Steve Scott (yes, that Steve Scott, Upland HS '74), and many others, too many to mention. We share war stories. We were mortal enemies on the track, but part of the brotherhood of runners who respected and admired each other. Southern California in the 1970s was the golden era for HIgh School distance running.
@@stephenmartinez9355 The 70's were an incredible time for SoCal High School distance runners. So many great ones, if you could put together State teams by decade, CA in the 70's would be it. I ran against Jeff Nelson in High School and with him in college, he was not only a great runner but inspirational to everyone around him. A great guy.
I was at the ‘99 and ‘00 Footlocker championships to watch those races . Ritz was unbelievable . Back when they were running it in Orlando ! Still have the race program to this day .
I don’t think anyone would question your number one choice but personally I would see Steve Prefontaine a little higher up the list. Thank you, I really enjoyed this.
I was lucky enough to go to high school in Oregon and compete with the bigger schools at state which we always held at Hayward field. I’ve got to see a lot of these guys in in person whether in college or high school. Super fortunate.
Jim Ryan was such an inspiration to so many people. I think it was 1972-3 Sunkist Invitational at the LA Colliseum my friends and I ran along side of him as he warmed up outside of the stadium. For a 17 year old that was thrilling!
German fernandez was a local runner and I went to the German fernandez distance carnival on its first year.. pretty cool that such a great competed just a couple miles away
Grant Fisher was the first high school boy to break 4 minutes in the mile in Missouri. I was there, cheering him on. Kudos to Big River Running Co. for sponsoring the annual Festival of Miles.
What an AWESOME presentation..Jim Ryan was a thoroughbred..his form says it all..and Gerry Lindgren had a perfect running machine.. flawless and gorgeous.. OPTIMUM PRECISION
Aaaaaannnnnnd nobody gives AF about international high school runners from third world sht holes. If anything this makes the Americans more impressive because of the discipline it take to stay so committed to running HERE.
where do you rank Alan Scharsu out of Austintown Fitch 1974 -1978??....I think he had an 8:45 as a 14 year old (or maybe he was a sophomore?). Undefeated in crosscountry state championships 3 years in a row. American record as a 14 year old.....
I also was at Joe Rosa's holmdel park 14:56. Dave Oster from my high school. My county race consisted of Cheserek, Udland, Jeremy Elkaim. I was also a runner with no where near the times of these athletes my PR was arpund 17:20. What a time to be in High School
Ben Jessup the “japs”? It’s Japanese and you Americans had NO business being in Hawai’i. It was a sovereign, kingdom monarchy until America force the Hawaiians to be a state. Given America’s history, I can see why America/ Americans are a no call/ no show in the Bible.
Israeli Treasures alright libtard I forgot everything had to be politically correct in 2019 sorry for you being so offended easily where do you live California?
Ben Jessup it ain’t about politics- it’s about respecting people of different backgrounds. Just as nobody wants to be called a “white trash” or “nigger”. For the record, I don’t believe in politics (false assumption on your end) and look at the mess it’s done. I am a Sephardic Jew and my country and people survive the End Times. You can’t say that about yours.
I know he never attended a US high school, but Norwegian phenom Jakob Ingebrigtsen have better times on the track than all of the people on this fantastic list when he was a senior in high school in Norway. He also became a 2 time European Champion in the 1500 meter and 5000 meter the summer before his senior year in high school (age 17). His personal best as a senior in high school was 3:31:18 on the 1500 meter, and 13:17 on the 5000 meter. His 1500 meter time is equivalent to 3:49-3:50 on the mile, while still in high school.
Funnily enough I was making this same comment only yesterday on Jakob's video of him winning his National Championships 1500m last week. Jakob is about 12 seconds quicker than Jim Ryun.
Most of those great times were done after High School henceforth; Freshman year in College. Jakob was born in september, and any running times that he made after 6/2017, are not officially recorded as a High school time. Forget any times that he recorded in 2019, because he would be officially a freshman in college .
Noah Ngeny didn't start running until he was 17 and by 18 he had run a 3:50.1 and by 20 he had run the 2nd fastest time of All-time in the mile at 3:43.4 in 1999(2nd to El G.) In the 2000 Olympic Games, Noah won the Gold Medal in the 1500 meters against El G. By 24, Noah's running career was over after a serious car accident. I don't see Jakob in the same league as the top African Runners & i doubt that he will reach the same heights as Galen Rupp.
i remember running against and watching guys here in the midwest run roughly 14 minute 5ks on hills and in grass. just nuts as like 16 or 17 years old. i was at 17 minutes but that is mid pack at best. just incredible endurance.
Rudy Chapa's mile and 2 mile records -> Christian Wagner of Columbus North - 2002-03 - At the State meet I watched this 16 year old kid win the mile in 4;07 and then an hr and half later almost break the state record in the 2 mile winning it handily in 8;55. i shit you not, since i wasn't good enough to be competing just watching/supporting our guys, this christian kid ran like 3-4 miles in between the 2 events for cooldowns and warmups. a lap around our canal and back from the iupui track where we turned around is like a mile out and a mile back lol. not quite as legendary as these guys on the list but close and incredible to back-2-back like that.
You need to add Tommy Sullivan, St. George HS, Evanston, IL with a 4:03 mile on a cinder track in 1961. He flew there alone without his Coach, Don Amidei (also coached indoor mile record breaker Tom O'Hara, 1st man to run under 4 minutes for the indoor mile). Sullivan got a full ride to Villanova and ran for Jumbo Elliott, then went to their College of Medicine, became a children's doctor and practices in Hinsdale, IL (as of Sept., 2021). A very productive life in service to mankind.
Nico Young broke Drew Hunter's 3K record indoors, when he ran a 7:56.97 /3K. Nico also ran a 13:50 / 5K in High School which is the 4th fastest behind Rupp, Lindgren, Ritzenhein.
Ryan may have been the greatest athlete in history, period. With no one to push him, no modern tech, or coaching to even know what to do with him, we will never know how great he could have been... but 3:55 mile in HS? He was/is a next level human.
Jim Ryun was definitely pushed in those incredible OPEN Compton Track Meets and the 1st time that Ryun broke the 4 minute mile in 1964 he came in last place/8th. Ryun was and is the most talented Middle-Distance High School Runner of All-time. His 3:55 HS National Mile record time in 1965 when he beat the 1964 Olympic Champion/ 800m & 1500m Peter Snell he out-kicked Snell by a couple of whiskers to win that incredible mile race!!
I ran at Bakersfield J.C. in 84 for West Valley College 3000 Steeplechase. It was the end of my running from 78 to 84. I had Larry Raboa and family to be around in school, dad had been in the Olympics. Sister ran and trained as a San Jose Cinder Gal at San Jose City College with Bruce Jenner as she was a Junior High Schooler leading up to 76 Games. Bruce said in the recent years, he came there to train because of all the World Class Track Starts who lived within a few miles of there. It was a A GREAT TIME TO LIVE IN THE SILICON VALLEY!!!! My life will for ever will be changed from seeing these athletes along with Jonny Bench, Willie Mays, Willie Mc Covey, Bobby bonds at Candlestick. Pele at Quakes stadium. Running 2 years at The Bruce Jenner Classic, 83 and 84 was soooooo cool.
This is certainly a great list. But Alan Scarshu should be on it. The guy not only is one of the best high school 2 milers ever, he even ran an 11.00 100 meters during his sophomore year, before settling on distance running. Not the classic distance runner with long strides, as he was only 5’6” or 5’7”, he made up for it with an incredible stride turnover. After his junior year, he was 4 seconds off of the national high school 2 mile record, but he ended his senior year 2 seconds off of the record. He went on to Penn State, where, as a freshman, he finished 6th in the NCAA across Country championships. He was the first American finisher behind five Kenyans. He was a legend when I was running and is probably the best high school long distance runner Ohio ever produced. He was from Austintown, Ohio and went to Fitch High School.
I think you could include Eric Hulst from Laguna Beach, Calif as a honorable mention. I'm pretty sure he broke 9:00 for the 2 mile as a sophomore and 8:43ish as a junior. I believe he also set a record for the mile at 16 years around 4:08...I'm sorry I'm not 100% sure on the times but it won't be difficult to verify. He did also win the World Cross Country Championship in Wales in 1976, winning by a wide margin. He was injured for most of his college days and sadly died of a brain tumor at age 34. Very humble and wonderful person, it was an honor to watch him compete.
I was also at the State track meet (for high jump) when Ritzenhein opted out of the 1600 to go for the national record in the 3200.....Ritzenhein straight up LAPPED the field at the state meet🤣🤣🤣 but he finished in 8:45....with Ritzenhein opting out of the 1600, it gave room to my team mate Jon Wojick to win the 1600 state final in 4:12 and basically fell over the finish line, 2 of the greatest races I've ever witnessed
And Ritz' ran a 14:10 at the Xcountry state meet setting the national record. The guys who broke it this year wouldn't even come close on the Brooklyn(MIS) course. He was amazing
I was at Verzbicas foot locker win. I was there to support Dave Oster from Verona, NJ. My father told me if Dave qualified he would buy us tickets to go. He got last all American spot 15th place and Verzbicas won.
@@Labendvanbrosif we never went by miles. But id say 45-55 at the peak of the season. I could be off though tbh, never really put much thought into how many miles we were doing per week, sorry
Did not know Alan Webb ran 47 in the open 400 in high school. Later in his career he'd run a pretty impressive 10k PR as well. That dude had RANGE, my goodness. Not surprising he was capable of a 1:43 800 and a 3:46 mile, given he had such a rare combination of elite speed and elite endurance and the times to back it up!
Two great high school runners that I'd love to find out more about (but haven't been able to) are Jim Arriola and Barrie Williams. Jim Arriola was born in 1958 and ran a 4:08.8 mile in Long Beach CA, in 1974, while still only 15. Barrie Williams was born in 1955 and ran a 4:06.7 mile in Arcadia CA, in 1972, while still only 16.
Hi Charles, I went to highschool and did Xcountry and track with Barrie. Me not even close to him. He was a super nice kid. Always joking and laughing.
I know you’ve already talked about doing this but you should update the list here in a couple years now that Colin sahlmon and lex and Leo young have graduated
Lex and Leo are high school seniors this year. It will be interesting to see how this list will change after this year. Hopefully, everyone stays healthy.
I think Katelyn Tuohy should have been somewhere on this list. She is only a junior, and is dominating everyone. And I would have like to see Grace Ping on the honorable mentions for winning state as a 7th grader. Otherwise, this list is good!
Eric Hulst should be on this top 10 list ahead of German Fernandez. Hulst won the World Cross Country Championship in 1976 by over 20 seconds in the Junior Division. He beat Salazar, Serna, Hunt, King, etc.. Eric came through the 1st mile in 4:19 in the 8K XC race and Hunt & Salazar were 25 seconds behind. Hulst ran the 2nd fastest HS 10K time with a 28:55 time. Salazar as a Junior in High School, was a complete animal in XC, as he went out in 4:20 for the 1st mile in 1974, on the famed Massachusetts Franklin Hill Park XC 3 mile - course. I remember being in the 2nd lead pack and we came through the 1st mile in 4:42 and Dan Dillon outkicked Salazar in a new XC Course record of 14 minutes flat for 3miles.
Jim Ryan, my mentor in high school. High school coach wasn't familiar with middle distance. So I read Jim Ryan books on training from the library. I followed most of his training methods. 1976 ,finished 2nd in state track meet. I favor Jim Ryan the greatest talent.
I didn't see Terry William's of Lompoc HS, Barry Williams of North Torrance HS or Eric Hulst of Laguna Beach getting any mention. Hulst broke the 9 minute barrier in the two mile as a Sophomore. I remember watching Barry and Terry William's dueling on indoor tracks, both easily breaking 9 minutes in the two-mile run. Steve Scott, who became our Olympic metric miler in the 1980s was a very consistent high school runner at Upland HS, though his Mark's were a little outside the range of this bunch.
@@MrWoodchoppa The greatest XC duel I ever saw was the race between Eric Hulst and Dan Hunt (Patrick Henry HS) in 1975. They were neck and neck the whole race until the final chute. Everyone ran to the finish area, crowding it so much you couldn't see the winner until they walked several yards past the finish line. Then I saw Hunt walking through the crowd. He had kicked Hulst down for the win. I think it was the first time anyone beat him since his Freshman year.
Lindgren ran regularly over 200mi. a week. That's approach 30 a day. I didnt even Drive 200miles in a month in high school. Couldn't imagine how many pairs of shoes he went through.
U know this list gonna be stacked when Galen Rupp is only #10 😂
lol right
That’s what I thought when I saw Galen Rupp at 10 😂
Alberto held Rupp back in HS on purpose, Rupp got 2nd at Footlocker and then went on to get 2nd at the Olympics
Jgt11gamer which is pretty damn good better than most people I know 😂
Gabriel Maurad lol, I know!!
I like how he put all the Hs runners of our generation on the honorable mentions
Take into consideration that today's athletes benefit from advanced training, nutrition, shoes, and also compete on great tracks. It makes what Ryun and Lindgren and those in the 50s and 60s did even more impressive.
Mike Phalen well said.
@Jacob Mathes yah I watched him race back when I was in middle school
Yeah it’s true. What lindgren and Ryun did in their time would blow away everyone today. The diet, tracks, shoes and training have all come so far. That’s not to take away from what webb, chesarek and Rupp did, they were all incredible, but Ryun and lindgren were just in their own class. In my time kyle merber and Quinn Raseman were killing it. I remember when they thought merber could be the 6th person to go sub 4 in highschool, I got to race him in XC one year and he taught me the meaning of what good is. And even the great Kyle Merber would get smoked by all the above, gotta respect them.
@@mikephalen3162No doubt. I grew up running on a cinder track. It had potholes in it. Times have changed!
Most of Jim Ryun's records were set on dirt tracks that are considerably slower than today's synthetic tracks.
Which means he would have run faster times.
And the shoes weighed several ounces more in the 60’s.
Agree, reinforcing that Ryun was the correct choice at #1.
Wow. That’s gnarly! He ran those times on DIRT!!!
Ik this was made in july but Nico young set the course record at Woodbridge with 13:39
Fuck you too
@@Noobies420 no he for real did though, I was there, Nico Young got "male athlete of the meet" awards. It was insane.
I was there too lol
Jacob that’s the national record too
And now he ran 7:56 in the 3k
I was a sophomore in high school in Kansas when Jim Ryun was a a senior at East High in Wichita. I ran the 880. Jim Ryun was a legend and am very proud he was from the Land of Oz!!!
Wouldn't mind seeing the high school times of Ron Clarke, John Landy, Herb Elliot, Craig Mottram, Ralph Doubell and a few others from the land of Oz
@@colwynt Hobbs Kessler's 3:34, 1500m National High School record last spring is much better than Ryun's previous National High School record of 3:38 /1500m.
It would be interesting to speculate what early distance runners could run with modern amenities: superior track surfaces, improvements in trainers and race gear, and big meets with pro talent.
Rahn Lipp maybe their environment wasn’t so inferior as you think. Nowadays you have clothes that are labeled as “lightweight”, shoes that advertise “4% speed increase”, tracks that are good for speed, etc. When new generation sees all these things they slack in training and get comfortable with training with such conditions that if you were to put them in normal running gear and environment, they would see a noticeable change in Personal Record times. That’s my pov
@@GlaciateCoD Not the truly great ones!! Nico Young sub 8:30 2 mile & 3:35 5K.
I was a distance runner in the 70's and always wonder how much faster I could have run with, better tracks and better training and motivation/inspiration of watching youtube videos. I doubt it would have made a huge difference but it could have helped. As far as shoes and gear, by the late 70's the shoes were pretty good. When I started in 72, there were almost no running shoes to pick from.
@@richardmilliken5651 yeah with in the condition s of the 1960s heavier shoes worst training methods. Nico would run maybe 13.40 or 13.50
No mention of Tim Danielson or Marty Liquori - 2nd and 3rd sub-4:00 minute HS milers. What is remarkable about their performance is that they set these marks in the '60s when equipment and track surfaces were significantly poorer than they are today. But I totally agree with Ryun, Lindgren, and Pre (though I would rank Pre higher) who also ran in this era.
Love your work - much appreciated.
I agree with that Liquori mention since I’m a jersey boy, but he really became the man of distance track in his career later
Let's not forget that in high school he set a course record for the Van Cortlandt Park 2-1/2 mile course...12:23.
@Richard Milliken On a 54-year old record? No doubt a bunch, but it was a great record in its time and Liquori went on to run his sub-4-minute mile in the Spring. How many of your 50 guys could do that?
@Richard Milliken Offhand, I don't recall Liquori ever even running a 2-mile track race in HS. In my memory bank is a recollection of Ryun running an 8:25.2 for the 2-mile, but I believe that was in his early college years.
My Grandpa, Dave Kemp, coached #9 Jeff Nelson in high school. It’s true, he ran well over 100 miles a week and my grandpa ran with him during it. Legendary shit!
Cap
@@Micahgritterrr football field is named after him there, you can go to Burbank and look for yourself. Dumb twat.
I ran against him twice in X-Country when I was in High School. The only time we saw him was at the starting line. He was a legend in Southern California.
The only person who always trained with and could keep up Jeff was his teammate Lyn Whatcott.
Rudy Chapa still holds the H S 10,000 meter record 45 years later at 28:32 and qualified for the Olympic trials.
I wish the 10k was a regular event in cross country
Yeah I got to watch Rudy and Cary Pincowski dominate XC in NW Indiana
Age records in the mile prior to Jakob Ingebrigtsen:
16: 4:06.7 - Barrie Williams
17: 3:57.43 - Steve Cram
18: 3:53.43 - Alan Webb
19: 3:51.3 - Jim Ryun
Jakob's mile times:
16: 3:56.29
17: 3:52.28
18: 3:51.30
19: (we'll have to wait and see)
I have to congratulate Jakob for winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500m. Unbelievable! I never thought that he would beat Timmy Cherioyt from Kenya. I salute Jakob!!!
Cameron Myer's Australia - Mile: @15 4:07.04; @16 3:55.44; @17 3:50.15
800m @15 1:55.61; @16 1:50.82; @17 1:47.11
A good list. Ryun deserves to be #1. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him at a running camp in PA about 10 years ago. What a good man he is!! Uniquely good.
Ryun started his running camps in 1975. I attended the first 3 years. He and his family are terrific people.
Great job! Guessing from your voice, you're a young guy and I give you credit for giving runners like Ryun and Lindgren their due. I'm younger than they are, but when I started running as a freshman in high school, the older guys spoke of these two with reverence. Ryun was the prototype, tall lean, and powerful with great natural speed and endurance. Lindgren was the opposite. Shorter than most at five six, he had a racecar engine on a VW frame. He nearly broke the four minute in high school with a 4:01.6! Personal demons and injuries cut his career short, but when he was on, he was nearly unbeatable. You should do a feature on Lindgren and his running style.
I ran the mile in high school, I graduated in 1965, like Jim Ryan. In 1962, our sophomore year, Ryan had the fastest high school mile, about 4:08. I told everyone that he would break 4 minutes in high school, and I was right.
Amazing, Jim started running in his sophmore year & he was timed at 5:37 in the mile during the beginning of X/C and within 9 months he runs a 4:07 in the mile in outdoor track.
1 year later and Jim runs a 3:58 mile.
Liquori should efinitely be on the list.
I actually met Jim Ryun a couple years ago. I was a sophomore in high school and me and my brother went to a Crosscountry motivational convention at a random high school. They had several runners there and Jim Ryun was the last one to speak. At the time I had no idea who he was but after his speech I was greatly humbled to be in the presence of such a phenomenal person and athlete. I got a picture with him and it remains to be one of the greatest moments in my running life.
Actually got to meet Gerry Lindgren at a track meet last year, awesome and really down to earth guy.
Steve Prefontaine was a dominant high school runner! Undefeated and unmatched! "Pre's People" documentary shows unseen photos, film and untold stories of what made him great from an early age! Inspiring!
Prefontaine was a big fat nothing in the history of track.
Anyone can win high school races against in Oregon.
@@RK-um9tu You might want to check the times that he ran in late 1960s conditions. They say more than enough to justify his ranking. I am assuming that Prefontaine once stole your girlfriend (or did your mom), considering that you are obesessed with him. This isn't the first time that I've seen you look foolish while bad mouthing the guy.
Should definitely have been ranked higher.
He was a great runner but also an arrogant pain in the ass.
No hunter for 7:59 3000,1:48 800m,3:57 mile? Not to mention he doubled back after the 1:48 800m to run 8:44 3200. He sadly got Lyme disease and couldn't do too much later
This video is supposed to be about High School distance runners and the 800m & mile are middle distance races. Hunter's 3K time of 7:59 is not even close to being enough to knock Galen Rupp's National High School 5K record of 13:37! Had Galen won the National XC Foot Locker Championship instead of coming in second by 2 seconds he would deserve a higher ranking.
Gotta be Ryun at #1 but it feels like #4 might be too low for Webb
Yeah I feel like he should be #3 ahead of Ritzenhein
Webb ran the fastest High School mile ever! By 2 seconds! Gotta be #3.
@Michigan Wolverine in Austin But that wasn't Webb's best distance. Ritz never even broke 4 minute mile in high school, while Webb went more than 6 seconds under.
@Michigan Wolverine in Dallas I agree 100%. The mile is a middle-distance running event. Ritz clearly dominated in Cross-Country for 2 years as well as dominating during his era in the 2 mile & 5K. I love Jim Ryun but he was not a great X/C or 2 mile runner. He shouldn't be listed as one of the greatest H.S. Distance runners.
@@rsasserlosal The mile is a middle distance race. X/C & the 2mile & 5K & 10K are long distance races. Ryun never even broke 9 minutes for the 2 mile. Eric Hulst should be on this list before Ryun. Ritz, Lindgren, Nelson and Hulst are the greatest H.S. X/C runners.
I remember reading in Cordner Nelson's book about Jim Ryun that when Ryun would do interval training on the track, he would "rest" between repeat 440s by lifting weights! He was my idol during my high school years (72-76), and I finally got a chance to meet him at a 12K race in Arizona in the late 70s. He took off at the starting gun with a tremendous stride. I chided my friend later for being beaten by Ryun over the last 100 yards--"Another victim of the Ryun kick.!"
I feel hunter could’ve made the actual list. 3rd fastest mile and xc 5k. And the comeback.
Also is there any real evidence for lindgrens alleged training or is it just his word because he also claimed to run a 16:08 4-mile
And lastly isn’t ingenrigsten technically a highschooler or was it only americans
Lol the comeback is all you need to see in order to agree with this
Ingebrigtsen ran 3:52 as a high schooler and broke 4 as a would be sophomore. As well as getting the 1500 and 5K gold at the Euro championships. Looks like just US high schoolers.
Yeah, Lindgren is a weirdo. He could run for sure, but from interviews I've read with him I wouldn't take much stock in what he says, just what he does.
@@JoeMac1983 I think he knows what he says is outrageous, original letsrun troll. Dude claims to run a 1:58 marathon and then faint 200m from the finish.
@@psychodelicjoey Don't exaggerate about what he's said. Just look at what he did and it was plenty.
I remember watching Ritzenhein at the state cross country race. I was just a spectator and was jogging near the trail and the guy flew by me faster than I'd ever seen anyone run. Second place was so far behind him. It was a thing of beauty to see.
Just saw this 2 year old video....it is very well done. Not many here old enough to have seen all these runners....but I am....I remember Gerry Lindgren in heavy stiff shoes, poor tracks, different training and nutrition standards....and running times no contemporary College runner could equal. Great choice. I was in Eugene watching when Ryun beat Snell.(cheering on friends Morgan G. and Archie S.R) Jim was the most gifted runner I've seen, not the most successful though. Great to remember these fine athletes............thanks...
Craig Virgin doesn’t have the 3 mile high school national record anymore 😂😂😂. My boy Nico Young just broke it. 13.39.7 baby!!
Jackson Coney lol
@@jackdias9263 you think he's lieing?
MOSlilbro his phrasing was funny to me
hyppeeeee i saw him do it
Dont Forget Josh Methner from Illinois. Role it too 13:49 baby😭
I was privileged to see Jim Ryun run in Modesto, CA in 1965 as he was just finishing his incredible high school career. He already had established a name for himself. In a star studded field he won the race in 3:58.2.
The second place runner ran the same time and the 3rd and 4th place runners ran 3:58.3 if I remember correctly. It was a photo finish and we didn’t know who won until they made the announcement. What a great race. Jim was the best ever.
A fine gentleman and a tremendous athlete. He provided some great memories for my childhood.
Ready for the new upload of this video
Would love to see an updated list with Kessler and the Newbury Park team
In the context of being as close to the best in the world as a High School student nobody comes close to Ryun. He was less than two seconds off the WR mile with his 3:55.3. When Webb broke this record he was more than six seconds off the WR.
mark Bateman Jakob Ingebristen is better hit a 3:52 and is still a senior won multiple euro championships and a great 5k guy too but I think this is just americans
Dirt track too
Ryun also has one of the highest V02 maxes ever, its like somewhere around 80 or 82
The great Herb Elliott had the potential to run a 3:48 / mile but he retired at 20 after he won the 1960 Olympic gold medal in the 1500m.
@@richardmilliken8705 If I remember correctly he retired at 22 and was unbeaten in the mile in his career. Glad that he is remembered. That said, this list was about American HS runners, not Australian Olympians.
As a HS runner in the 70s I was inspired by people like Ryun, Pre, Virgin, and Lindgren. The new wave of runners coming up is phenomenal.
This is a good list for US athletes. It would be neat to see how this list stacks up against the international list of greatest high school runners.
Ran Oregon distance in the early 70s, met Pre and Ryan. Ryan at #1 makes sense; Pre's competitiveness would have had him finish higher than #7 if all these great runners had a race.....
Lindgren beat Pre in the three times they clashed in the college x-cross country championships when Gerry ran for WSU and Pre for Oregon. In Pre's defense, Lindgren was four years older and the more mature runner. But for high school accomplishments, Lindgren is hard to argue against.
@@danl2479 Agree; Lindgren definitely #2
Rick Rosenbloom Pre is an Oregon Legend. I’ve ran on his trail in Eugene and visited his gravesite in Coos Bay.
@@beernpizzalover9035 Yes, I ran at a rival High School; he was definitely a legend.
Did Jim teach you how to spell his last name?
Does anyone mispell football players name?
Eric Hulst, a legend in Southern California in the early 1970s. Ran 9:04 2-mile as a Freshman, 8:50 as a Sophomore, 8:45 as a Junior. Was the IAAF Jr. World Cross Country Champion as a Senior. Died of a brain tumor in 1992 at the age of 34.
@kissmyaass1 Are you Craig Virgin, or did you know Craig Virgin.
I was a freshman in high school in Southern California and watched those incredible duels between Eric Hulst of Laguna Beach High School and Ralph Serna from Loara. Great times. I believe Eric ran an 8:44 at the state championship and Ralph finished second at 8:45. Then there was Thom Hunt out of San Diego's Patrick Henry HS.
@@LeeFred78 Yeah, the 1975 CA State 2-mile final is legendary. Eric ran 8:44.9, but it is officially 8:45.0 because it was hand-timed, if you can believe it. I know Ralph quite well. My older brother and Ralph used to train at the same summer running camp together. Every year, former HS track stars get together to talk about the good ol' days on the track. Most are from Southern California, but we have special guests on occasion, like Ron Larrieu (1964 Olympian, 10,000m finalist) Craig Virgin, Matt Centrowitz, Jr. (2016 Olympic 1500 gold medalist). If you competed in So Cal during the 1970's, you would definitely recognize the names, such as Mark Schilling (Garden Grove HS, 1972 State Mile Champ, 4:05), Barry Williams (Torrance HS, broke Jim Ryun's National 16-year-old mile record at 4:06), Brian Hunsaker (CDM 8:55 2-mile), Marc Genet (Santa Ana HS, 8:53 2 mile), Jeff Nelson (Burbank HS, 8:36 2-mile, smashing Virgin's national record), Steve Scott (yes, that Steve Scott, Upland HS '74), and many others, too many to mention. We share war stories. We were mortal enemies on the track, but part of the brotherhood of runners who respected and admired each other. Southern California in the 1970s was the golden era for HIgh School distance running.
@@stephenmartinez9355 The 70's were an incredible time for SoCal High School distance runners. So many great ones, if you could put together State teams by decade, CA in the 70's would be it. I ran against Jeff Nelson in High School and with him in college, he was not only a great runner but inspirational to everyone around him. A great guy.
This is some top quality content
I was at the ‘99 and ‘00 Footlocker championships to watch those races . Ritz was unbelievable . Back when they were running it in Orlando ! Still have the race program to this day .
I don’t think anyone would question your number one choice but personally I would see Steve Prefontaine a little higher up the list. Thank you, I really enjoyed this.
Love how he shows respect for the "classics" like Ryun, Lindgren, Virgin, Pre. Right on the money.
I was lucky enough to go to high school in Oregon and compete with the bigger schools at state which we always held at Hayward field. I’ve got to see a lot of these guys in in person whether in college or high school. Super fortunate.
Jim Ryan was such an inspiration to so many people. I think it was 1972-3 Sunkist Invitational at the LA Colliseum my friends and I ran along side of him as he warmed up outside of the stadium. For a 17 year old that was thrilling!
thanks for posting, some runners I did not know as they are maybe less seen in the UK but good to hear about here.
Don't let this list overshadow the fact that Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in the 1966 city championship game for Andrew Johnson High.
This is a video about running.
@@crippledcrusader1321 Please help the culturally unaware like Mason. Send your dollars to "Help for the Humor Impaired".
Bundy ran the 40 in 4.56
@@rpx8699 He did! Lol
he also coached Prefontaine
German fernandez was a local runner and I went to the German fernandez distance carnival on its first year.. pretty cool that such a great competed just a couple miles away
Great list. No arguments here!
It's three years later! How would Nico Young, Colin Sahlman, and [insert name] rank on this list?
Grant Fisher was the first high school boy to break 4 minutes in the mile in Missouri. I was there, cheering him on. Kudos to Big River Running Co. for sponsoring the annual Festival of Miles.
great list. I feel Nico Young deserves an HM tho
What an AWESOME presentation..Jim Ryan was a thoroughbred..his form says it all..and Gerry Lindgren had a perfect running machine.. flawless and gorgeous.. OPTIMUM PRECISION
Title misleading. Please change it "in the US". Other than that superb video, keep up the great work:)
Aaaaaannnnnnd nobody gives AF about international high school runners from third world sht holes. If anything this makes the Americans more impressive because of the discipline it take to stay so committed to running HERE.
where do you rank Alan Scharsu out of Austintown Fitch 1974 -1978??....I think he had an 8:45 as a 14 year old (or maybe he was a sophomore?). Undefeated in crosscountry state championships 3 years in a row. American record as a 14 year old.....
I was there the day Ryun broke 4 min first time in Wichita you got it right at the top
I also was at Joe Rosa's holmdel park 14:56. Dave Oster from my high school. My county race consisted of Cheserek, Udland, Jeremy Elkaim. I was also a runner with no where near the times of these athletes my PR was arpund 17:20. What a time to be in High School
Louis zamperini should be on this list he qualified for the Olympic and got 8th fresh out of high school
Ben Jessup the “japs”? It’s Japanese and you Americans had NO business being in Hawai’i. It was a sovereign, kingdom monarchy until America force the Hawaiians to be a state. Given America’s history, I can see why America/ Americans are a no call/ no show in the Bible.
Israeli Treasures alright libtard I forgot everything had to be politically correct in 2019 sorry for you being so offended easily where do you live California?
Ben Jessup it ain’t about politics- it’s about respecting people of different backgrounds. Just as nobody wants to be called a “white trash” or “nigger”. For the record, I don’t believe in politics (false assumption on your end) and look at the mess it’s done. I am a Sephardic Jew and my country and people survive the End Times. You can’t say that about yours.
No, he went to Olympics a year or two after high school.
Jonathan Stiles but still pretty fresh out of it
I know he never attended a US high school, but Norwegian phenom Jakob Ingebrigtsen have better times on the track than all of the people on this fantastic list when he was a senior in high school in Norway. He also became a 2 time European Champion in the 1500 meter and 5000 meter the summer before his senior year in high school (age 17). His personal best as a senior in high school was 3:31:18 on the 1500 meter, and 13:17 on the 5000 meter. His 1500 meter time is equivalent to 3:49-3:50 on the mile, while still in high school.
Funnily enough I was making this same comment only yesterday on Jakob's video of him winning his National Championships 1500m last week. Jakob is about 12 seconds quicker than Jim Ryun.
Those brothers are awesome!
Most of those great times were done after High School henceforth; Freshman year in College. Jakob was born in september, and any running times that he made after 6/2017, are not officially recorded as a High school time. Forget any times that he recorded in 2019, because he would be officially a freshman in college .
Noah Ngeny didn't start running until he was 17 and by 18 he had run a 3:50.1 and by 20 he had run the 2nd fastest time of All-time in the mile at 3:43.4 in 1999(2nd to El G.)
In the 2000 Olympic Games, Noah won the Gold Medal in the 1500 meters against El G. By 24, Noah's running career was over after a serious car accident.
I don't see Jakob in the same league as the top African Runners & i doubt that he will reach the same heights as Galen Rupp.
Here, here. Jim Ryun was fantastic, but I think this presenter needs to look to the wider world. Time has moved on.
Josh Methner broke Craig Virgin’s course record at Illinois xc state finals this year. 13:49 for 3
Now he needs to beat Nico in he Foot Locker even though Nico surprised him by gaping him in the NXN. Go Josh.
Josh did
Was at this race watching my son race and Methner’s performance was spectacular.
STEVE PREFONTAINE ❤️!!!!!!!!!
Josh Methner broke Craig Virgin's record with at time of 13:49!
nice job running a 14:54!
i remember running against and watching guys here in the midwest run roughly 14 minute 5ks on hills and in grass. just nuts as like 16 or 17 years old. i was at 17 minutes but that is mid pack at best. just incredible endurance.
Rudy Chapa's mile and 2 mile records -> Christian Wagner of Columbus North - 2002-03 - At the State meet I watched this 16 year old kid win the mile in 4;07 and then an hr and half later almost break the state record in the 2 mile winning it handily in 8;55. i shit you not, since i wasn't good enough to be competing just watching/supporting our guys, this christian kid ran like 3-4 miles in between the 2 events for cooldowns and warmups. a lap around our canal and back from the iupui track where we turned around is like a mile out and a mile back lol. not quite as legendary as these guys on the list but close and incredible to back-2-back like that.
You need to add Tommy Sullivan, St. George HS, Evanston, IL with a 4:03 mile on a cinder track in 1961. He flew there alone without his Coach, Don Amidei (also coached indoor mile record breaker Tom O'Hara, 1st man to run under 4 minutes for the indoor mile). Sullivan got a full ride to Villanova and ran for Jumbo Elliott, then went to their College of Medicine, became a children's doctor and practices in Hinsdale, IL (as of Sept., 2021). A very productive life in service to mankind.
Can’t leave drew hunter out of top 10. 7:59 3k on a 200 meter flat track, along with other epic races such as penn relays.
Nico Young broke Drew Hunter's 3K record indoors, when he ran a 7:56.97 /3K. Nico also ran a 13:50 / 5K in High School which is the 4th fastest behind Rupp, Lindgren, Ritzenhein.
@@richardmilliken8705 nico hadn’t done that yet by the time this video was made
I ran Track & XC with Jeff Nelson’s son. He was a beast as well.
This needs an update for sure!
Ryan may have been the greatest athlete in history, period. With no one to push him, no modern tech, or coaching to even know what to do with him, we will never know how great he could have been... but 3:55 mile in HS? He was/is a next level human.
I disagree .. we know exactly how good Ryun was! He was as good as what he did!
Jim Ryun was definitely pushed in those incredible OPEN Compton Track Meets and the 1st time that Ryun broke the 4 minute mile in 1964 he came in last place/8th. Ryun was and is the most talented Middle-Distance High School Runner of All-time. His 3:55 HS National Mile record time in 1965 when he beat the 1964 Olympic Champion/ 800m & 1500m
Peter Snell he out-kicked Snell by a couple of whiskers to win that incredible mile race!!
@@richardmitchell8482 But we do not know how good he could have been. 1500 m - 3:25?
1 mile - 3:40? 800m - 1:42? We don't know.
I ran at Bakersfield J.C. in 84 for West Valley College 3000 Steeplechase. It was the end of my running from 78 to 84. I had Larry Raboa and family to be around in school, dad had been in the Olympics. Sister ran and trained as a San Jose Cinder Gal at San Jose City College with Bruce Jenner as she was a Junior High Schooler leading up to 76 Games.
Bruce said in the recent years, he came there to train because of all the World Class Track Starts who lived within a few miles of there. It was a A GREAT TIME TO LIVE IN THE SILICON VALLEY!!!!
My life will for ever will be changed from seeing these athletes along with Jonny Bench, Willie Mays, Willie Mc Covey, Bobby bonds at Candlestick. Pele at Quakes stadium. Running 2 years at The Bruce Jenner Classic, 83 and 84 was soooooo cool.
Good list, although there are three names that should have been at least honorable mention: Eric Hulst, Thom Hunt, and Ralph Serna.
This is certainly a great list. But Alan Scarshu should be on it. The guy not only is one of the best high school 2 milers ever, he even ran an 11.00 100 meters during his sophomore year, before settling on distance running. Not the classic distance runner with long strides, as he was only 5’6” or 5’7”, he made up for it with an incredible stride turnover. After his junior year, he was 4 seconds off of the national high school 2 mile record, but he ended his senior year 2 seconds off of the record. He went on to Penn State, where, as a freshman, he finished 6th in the NCAA across Country championships. He was the first American finisher behind five Kenyans. He was a legend when I was running and is probably the best high school long distance runner Ohio ever produced. He was from Austintown, Ohio and went to Fitch High School.
I remember him and the West Liberty Salem cc team and George Nicholas. We had Garth Little on our team at Greenon, but he couldn't touch Nicholas.
I think you could include Eric Hulst from Laguna Beach, Calif as a honorable mention. I'm pretty sure he broke 9:00 for the 2 mile as a sophomore and 8:43ish as a junior. I believe he also set a record for the mile at 16 years around 4:08...I'm sorry I'm not 100% sure on the times but it won't be difficult to verify. He did also win the World Cross Country Championship in Wales in 1976, winning by a wide margin. He was injured for most of his college days and sadly died of a brain tumor at age 34. Very humble and wonderful person, it was an honor to watch him compete.
Consistently adding the years these feats were accomplished would add much.
12:02 I would have placed Pre a little higher on your list.
I was also at the State track meet (for high jump) when Ritzenhein opted out of the 1600 to go for the national record in the 3200.....Ritzenhein straight up LAPPED the field at the state meet🤣🤣🤣 but he finished in 8:45....with Ritzenhein opting out of the 1600, it gave room to my team mate Jon Wojick to win the 1600 state final in 4:12 and basically fell over the finish line, 2 of the greatest races I've ever witnessed
And Ritz' ran a 14:10 at the Xcountry state meet setting the national record. The guys who broke it this year wouldn't even come close on the Brooklyn(MIS) course. He was amazing
Besides Dathan Ritzenhein, Michigan also produced Hobbs Kessler (21 years old) who has run 3:29 for the 1500 and 7:39 for the 3000.
This was an awesome list
Nice vid
GREAT VIDEO................
I be happy if I could run as well as number 5000th.
These guys are out off this world 🌎.
Very difficult to rate all these great runners, but an excellent job overall.
I was at Verzbicas foot locker win. I was there to support Dave Oster from Verona, NJ. My father told me if Dave qualified he would buy us tickets to go. He got last all American spot 15th place and Verzbicas won.
I run for Sandburg and Lukas is a legend. Being coached by the same coach that coached him is wild to me
@@evandeimling412how many miles a week does he train you?
@@Labendvanbrosif we never went by miles. But id say 45-55 at the peak of the season. I could be off though tbh, never really put much thought into how many miles we were doing per week, sorry
Awesome compilation!
Now you're gonna have to add Colin Sahlman, Lex Young, and Leo Young (and maybe even Aaron when he's a senior)
+Rheinhardt Harrison
very respected list👍
You should also look at highschool races in Kenya
Right on! Mike. I was watching Lee Evans run a 43.86 in the 4 probably on Cinder. If they the training-etc today!
Did not know Alan Webb ran 47 in the open 400 in high school. Later in his career he'd run a pretty impressive 10k PR as well. That dude had RANGE, my goodness. Not surprising he was capable of a 1:43 800 and a 3:46 mile, given he had such a rare combination of elite speed and elite endurance and the times to back it up!
Where is jacob ingebrigsten. He ran a 3:56 at 16 and a 3:51 as a senior.
Two great high school runners that I'd love to find out more about (but haven't been able to) are Jim Arriola and Barrie Williams.
Jim Arriola was born in 1958 and ran a 4:08.8 mile in Long Beach CA, in 1974, while still only 15.
Barrie Williams was born in 1955 and ran a 4:06.7 mile in Arcadia CA, in 1972, while still only 16.
I had the privilege of working out with Barrie when we worked together at a running store is Seal Beach CA. A great guy.
Hi Charles,
I went to highschool and did
Xcountry and track with Barrie. Me not even close to him. He was a super nice kid. Always joking and laughing.
@@MrWoodchoppa
Bob, yea Barrie was a super kid. Nice fellow.
Where does Hobbs Kessler rank now?
I know you’ve already talked about doing this but you should update the list here in a couple years now that Colin sahlmon and lex and Leo young have graduated
Lex and Leo are high school seniors this year. It will be interesting to see how this list will change after this year. Hopefully, everyone stays healthy.
bro is gonna update this list with colin
Nice breakdown
I think Katelyn Tuohy should have been somewhere on this list. She is only a junior, and is dominating everyone. And I would have like to see Grace Ping on the honorable mentions for winning state as a 7th grader. Otherwise, this list is good!
Tuohy is a 3 time National X/C Champion that is rewriting the girls H.S. record books. Unbelievable
Eric Hulst from Laguna Beach High should be an honorable mention.
Along with Thom Hunt and Ralph Serna.
Eric Hulst should be on this top 10 list ahead of German Fernandez. Hulst won the World Cross Country Championship in 1976 by over 20 seconds in the Junior Division. He beat Salazar, Serna, Hunt, King, etc.. Eric came through the 1st mile in 4:19 in the 8K XC race and Hunt & Salazar were 25 seconds behind. Hulst ran the 2nd fastest HS 10K time with a 28:55 time. Salazar as a Junior in High School, was a complete animal in XC, as he went out in 4:20 for the 1st mile in 1974, on the famed Massachusetts Franklin Hill Park XC 3 mile - course. I remember being in the 2nd lead pack and we came through the 1st mile in 4:42 and Dan Dillon outkicked Salazar in a new XC Course record of 14 minutes flat for 3miles.
Jim Ryan, my mentor in high school. High school coach wasn't familiar with middle distance. So I read Jim Ryan books on training from the library. I followed most of his training methods. 1976 ,finished 2nd in state track meet. I favor Jim Ryan the greatest talent.
I think Steve Prefontaine should be higher in the list!!
Good list. Now how about doing the best female high school distance runners.
This gives me hella motivatiom
Great list! I might quibble with the lack of inclusion of say Marty Liquori, but otherwise I think it's right on.
I liked the video!
Can you make the greatest teams in high school history?? That would be awesome since Newbury is likely the best high school country team rn
They are the greatest team ever by far
My dads cross country coach ran with Steve Prefontain at Oregon
It would be nice if they tell us which state the runners are from. State records...which states?
I didn't see Terry William's of Lompoc HS, Barry Williams of North Torrance HS or Eric Hulst of Laguna Beach getting any mention. Hulst broke the 9 minute barrier in the two mile as a Sophomore. I remember watching Barry and Terry William's dueling on indoor tracks, both easily breaking 9 minutes in the two-mile run. Steve Scott, who became our Olympic metric miler in the 1980s was a very consistent high school runner at Upland HS, though his Mark's were a little outside the range of this bunch.
@@Visionary0001 Yes, I also went to some big meets including the Sunkist and LA Times indoor meets.
Jeff Nelson a great X/C runner from California and he ran an 8:36 in the two mile in 1979.
And I believe Ralph Serna of Luara HS used to go head to head with Eric Hulst both going sub 9min in the two mile on a couple of occasions.
@@MrWoodchoppa The greatest XC duel I ever saw was the race between Eric Hulst and Dan Hunt (Patrick Henry HS) in 1975. They were neck and neck the whole race until the final chute. Everyone ran to the finish area, crowding it so much you couldn't see the winner until they walked several yards past the finish line. Then I saw Hunt walking through the crowd. He had kicked Hulst down for the win. I think it was the first time anyone beat him since his Freshman year.
Lindgren ran regularly over 200mi. a week. That's approach 30 a day. I didnt even Drive 200miles in a month in high school. Couldn't imagine how many pairs of shoes he went through.
Paul Vandegriftm, Archbishop Kennedy should be also honorable mention, 1:48.8 , 800 meter, and 4:03 mile, and won PA state meet in both in 1987