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Lead Stories: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

USA Indoor T&F Champs:
Teg Repeats in Men’s 3k

Posted February 23rd, 2008 at 8:15 PM by Jeremy Sussman

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Former Wisconsin standout Matt Tegenkamp used a blistering final quarter to successfully defend his 3k title at the 2008 USATF Indoor Championships. “Teg” was followed closely by training partners Chris Solinsky and Jonathon Riley in what amounted to a sweep by Jerry Schumacher’s boys.

The race started at a very pedestrian pace and was led by Chris Solinsky and then Anthony Gallo. A tightly bunched pack went through their first four 400m splits in 1:10.3, 2:16.4, 3:23.2, and 4:30.5. The pace picked up slightly after the mile as Daniel Kanyaruhuru briefly took the lead and went through 2000m in 5:36.6.
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After Brilliant 2007, Tegenkamp Looks for Even More in 2008

Posted February 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

If you’ve been having trouble getting in your own training this winter because of the weather, Matt Tegenkamp feels your pain. In snowy and cold Madison, Wis., the fastest American ever over two miles has been counting the days until spring.

“It’s been a record-breaking year this year for all the snow,” Tegenkamp said in a telephone interview from his home yesterday. “I was actually in Tempe (Arizona) for December and January. I keep complaining about it. Maybe the warmer weather made me soft.”

“Soft” isn’t an adjective one is likely to hear when Tegenkamp’s name is mentioned. Under the tutelage of University of Wisconsin associate head track coach, Jerry Schumacher, the 26 year-old 5000m runner has blossomed into America’s #2 5000m man behind double world champion, Bernard Lagat. He’s coming off of a career year where he ran a USA best for the two-mile (8:07.07), and recorded U.S.-leading outdoor times for both 3000m (7:35.68) and 5000m (13:07.41). He also ran the #3 U.S. time for 1500m (3:34.25).
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Wisconsin Badgers Capture Record Ninth-Straight Big Ten Cross Country Title

Posted October 29th, 2007 at 1:45 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

The Wisconsin men’s cross country team had five runners finish in the the top-10 to score 33 points and win its ninth-consecutive Big Ten Conference title Sunday at the Ohio State University Golf Course in Columbus, Ohio.

With the win, the fifth-ranked Badgers set a new conference record for consecutive conference championships. UW also held the previous record of eight straight titles between 1985 and 1992. No. 22 Minnesota finished second with 65 points while Ohio State was third with 91 points.

Wisconsin was led by junior Matt Withrow (Tinley Park, Ill.), who took home the individual title by completing the 8,000-meter course in a time of 23 minutes, 44.37 seconds. He finished more than three seconds ahead of second-place finisher Hassan Mead of Minnesota. Fellow junior, Stu Eagon (Portland, Ore.), finished fifth in a time of 23:55.35. Both Withrow and Eagon earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.
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Interview with Matt Downin

Posted September 14th, 2007 at 8:28 AM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Interviews

Cecil Harris of Mensracing.com, a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) family of websites, recently did an interview with four-time All-American and Olympic Marathon hopeful Matt Downin about the November 3 U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in New York City and much more.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

MensRacing.com: This may be unfair to ask, but if you don’t do as well at the Trials as you would like, would you second-guess yourself about not having a coach?

Matt Downin: No, not about that part. I would second-guess a lot of other things I did. Every athlete who doesn’t meet his expectations might second-guess his training and preparation whether he has a coach or not. I’m never going to look back and say that not having a coach was a mistake. I’m sure there will be people who say that’s a bad approach to take in sports, and they may be right, but it’s a decision I’ve made.

To read the interview in it’s entirety, please visit: MensRacing.com

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Accustomed to winning, University of Wisconsin may be on the verge of losing Schumacher

Posted August 6th, 2007 at 11:05 AM by Jessica Galvano

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

The University of Wisconsin has long been reputed as a cross country powerhouse. Much of the Badger’s athletic distinction is owed to head coach and former All-American, Jerry Schumacher. Once a celebrated distance runner at UW, Schumacher’s now off-the-course contribution has garnered further successes for his alma mater. With five consecutive years of nationally acclaimed cross country and a 2005 NCAA title, the UW dynasty could now be in jeopardy of possible defeat: losing Schumacher.

Recently, the University of California has offered Schumacher the opportunity to replace Chris Huffins as director of the University’s track and cross country programs. A move to California, while not entirely devastating to a solid Wisconsin team, would nonetheless, negate the momentum Schumacher has brought to UW during his nine years as head coach.
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