More Old-Time Goodness From The Garage Museum Of Mike Fanelli

I have bumped into the Fanelli family many times throughout my running "career".  Our paths even crossed a few times, although I have never met Mike face to face.  I have met Gary Sr., and even purchased bee pollen from him back in the late 70s at a road race or two.

Since I have become a certified, professional Movie Producer (Go ahead and look me up on IMDb!), my next project has been rolling around in my head for 2 years now.  It is a rip-off of the current hit and my favorite TV show, The Goldbergs.  I figure we could simply switch the "1980-something" catch phrase to "1970-something" and use the same suburban Philly motif and locations many of us are familiar with.  Work in running in all its forms and the episodes would practically write themselves.  The Fanelli family would literally become America's Running Royalty, and take us to many places where we would all smile ear to ear.  Like I have said many times, I am just an idea person.  I will put the Interns on the case to make something happen!

Anyhoo, here's the latest submission from Mike Fanelli that highlights PSU and my idol, who would certainly be offered a guest spot on my show, The Fanellis.

Steve Prefontaine, Donal Walsh, Don Kardong, Greg Fredericks, John Bednarski.

Notice that a certain "good" runner in Marty Liquori didn't make the podium and Mark Covert of Running Streak fame was a high finisher on the William and Mary course.

Also, that jacket with the old-school lion  probably still fits Greg.

Throwback Thursday IN COLOR!!!

My kids used to say that I was born before color was invented, and maybe they are right.  But our great friend and Oregon Duck alum Dan Martinez dug up more pictures of Greg Fredericks from his archive even he didn't know he had.  And they happen to contain an Oregon Duck a few of you might know!

Rather than being dismayed at Pre pulling away from Greg at the finish, I would rather note how no one else is even in the pictures!

Mentioning Steve Prefontaine, Bruce Jenner and Greg Fredericks Guarantees a Surge in Readership

 What kept you from winning any NCAA titles while at Penn State?

Greg Fredericks: "Steve Prefontaine. I got second to him all the time. Although in my senior year, 1972, we had a great 5000 race. He ran the second-fastest American time. I ran the fourth fastest." 

With a slump in readership this close to Penn Relays and our Reunion and Golf Tourney, I thought I better bring out the big guns.  Who (other than me!) knew that a repeat of The Bear Story wouldn't garner even an average number of hits?

Well, for the tough readership out there, here's a story including Steve Prefontaine and Greg Fredericks at the 1972 NCAA 5,000M Finals.

Greg And Pre!

The info below was derived from articles and stats in the Eugene Register Guard, June 2 and 4, 1972, the Spokane Spokesman-Review, 4 June, 1972, and Track & Field News, II June 1972.

Pre ran a 5000m heat on June 1st, winning with a time of 14:01.4. He won the final on June 3 with a time of 13:31.4, in front of a hometown crowd of 14,500 raving Pre fans—the distance-happy Oregon fans ate it up.

Pre finished an astounding 26 seconds under Gerry Lindgren’s 1968 5000m meet record of 13:57.2—all the top six finishers clocked under the 1968 meet record. Pre’s finishing time of 13:31.4 was just 1.6 seconds under his own 5000m American record of 13:29.8, set April 29th of the same year.

Pre ran the first mile in 4:21.8, the second in 4:25.6 (8:47.4), and the third in 4:16.9. The last mile before finishing the 5000m distance was run in 4:14.4. The final three-quarter mile timed 3:08.9, and half mile at 2:03.8. The final lap was run in 61.4.

The fans stood and cheered as Pre broke away from Greg Fredericks to take the race to the finish, then cheered him again as he took five and a half victory laps—a victory mile! [you don’t see that anymore!]

“I haven’t felt mentally or physically right all week,” Pre said later. “With a few laps to go I waved Greg [Fredericks] by but he wouldn’t go, so I just picked up the pace. I didn’t want to sprint because I wanted to save myself for the Olympic trials [a month away]. So I ran a 63, then a 62, and on the last lap 60. I was just happy to win it.
Happy enough, in fact, for the five and a half victory laps, several of them with Fredericks.

Fredericks remarked: “I really felt like I had a good chance to win . . . you’d have to ask Steve why he waved for me to pass him. It’s a lot easier running behind someone than set the pace and I guess he wanted me to take over for a while. I was hoping I could catch him sleeping.”

Fredericks was second to Pre for the second time in a row in the NCAA 5000m/3-mile championship. Still, his time of 13:34 made him the 4th fastest American ever, behind Pre, George Young, and Gerry Lindgren.

The 5000m was only run in an Olympic year up to 1976--other years the three mile was run (all events were metric except for the mile). Because the NCAA wouldn't measure or record the 3-mile times during a 5000m event, Track and Field News did so unofficially. Pre and Fredericks timed at 13:04.4 and 13:06.8 respectively. These unofficial 3-mile times represent an improvement of the 1971 3-mile Pre-Fredericks times by 16 and 22 seconds respectively.

This NCAA Championship meet was his third consecutive annual victory in the same event NCAA Championship event, the 3 mile. He won the 3 mile in both 1970 (13:22.0), and 1971 (13:20.2). At the 1973 NCAA Championship meet Pre set a record with his fourth victory title, the 3 mile race again, with a time of 13:05.3. Pre's best time in the four meet series, 13:04.3, was 17.7 seconds faster than his slowest time of 13:22.0.

5000m final finishing times:

1. Pre 13:31.4 (meet record over Gerry Lindgren's 1968 5000m meet record of 13:57.2)
2. Greg Fredericks (Penn St) 13:33.9
3. John Hartnett (Villanova) 13:44.4
4. Glenn Herold (Wisconsin) 13:45.8
5. Michael Keogh (Manhattan Col) 13:48.3
6. Rick Hitchcock (Kansas St) 13:49.5
7. Dave Tocheri (Northern Arizona) 14:03.0
8. Phil Burkwist (Washington St) 14:04.4
9. Paul Geis (Rice) 14:07.8
10. Joel Majors (Georgia Tech) 14:13.6
11. Paul Baldwin (Kentucky) 14:22.4
12. Del Ramers (Florida St) 14:39.2

 And here's Bruce Jenner talking about his Olympic roommate Steve Prefontaine: (From NBC OlympicTalk)

He was one of my roommates at the Games in 1972. We also spent a month in Oslo, Norway, training before going to Munich, getting acclimated with the time change. So I got to know him pretty well. I was 22 years old. I had never needed a passport before. I never expected to make it on the Olympic Team in the first place. I came out of nowhere at the trials, wasn’t even ranked in the top 10 and made it on the team in the last event [the 1500m, earning third place overall].
So I didn’t know any of these guys. I had heard of them and saw Prefontaine run, but I didn’t know the guy beforehand.
So we go to Norway, and let me tell you, those guys knew how to have a good time. I was going to bed early, and these guys were out partying. One night Pre had a little bit too much, and we like poured him into bed that night. The next morning, he got up and did the hardest workout I think I’ve ever seen in my life. I was shocked.
Him and Frank Shorter, and all these people, were having such a great time. My thinking was oh my God, they’re so happy they made it on the Olympic Team and they’re not worried enough about what’s going to happen once they get to Munich.
But then Shorter wins the marathon, and Pre had a great 5000m race even though he wound up fourth.
When I woke up on the morning of the terrorist attack, Pre was the guy who had just gone out for a morning run and told me something’s going on out there. He heard somebody got shot. He said you won’t believe what’s happened outside. He was the one that broke the news to me.

A Mutual Admiration Society

I don't think that either of us knew it at the time, but Larry Mangan and I were extreme admirers of fellow Nittany Lion Greg Fredericks throughout our careers.  I even set the goal of running for PSU because of Greg's exploits.

So at this special time of year, it is important to point out to everyone the special nature of our mutual admiration of Penn State's most worthy alum.

Larry dug up another great photo of Greg at the 1972 NCAA 5000 M finals, where he placed 2nd to Steve Prefontaine. It's already been picked up by the Track Office and others, but I'll post it again just for completeness.  He was also second the year before in the NCAA 3 mile to, you guessed it, Steve Prefontaine!  Not too shabby a place to be, may I add.

That's 40 years ago, and yet Greg's marks in that 5000 M (13:34.0) and another 10000 M race that year are still the Penn State records (28:08).

But running isn't Greg's only strong point.  Greg is also a great person in every other way.  Coach Groves has called him "the finest person he has ever met".  I am pleased to be able to call him a friend, and I'm very happy that he's helped out our group in a myriad of ways.

There's no better way to wish everyone a Merry Christmas than with Walt Chadwick's masterpiece of photo manipulation!

Larry adds some perspective from the 1980 Olympic Trials:

 I remember watching the 1980 Oly Trials 10K and cheering Greg on throughout the race.  He didn’t go out with the leaders, but stayed within striking distance.  Then with about 5 laps to go, he started reeling them in.  When he passed Salazar to move into second with 2 laps left, I was going crazy.  That whole winter/spring period Greg was a regular Monday (10x400) and Wednesday (no specific recall of the Wednesday torture) workout attendee – by attendee I mean taking his share of the workload and ensuring that the recovery was unmercifully short.  It’s no coincidence that ’80 was my best year. 

Galen Rupp Breaks Prefontaine's 40 Year-Old Record But Can Only Tie 60 Year-Old Record of PSU Great!

Galen Rupp won the 10000 M and 5000M at the recent Olympic Trials to lead the distance corps of American men to the 2012 London Olympics.  His 5000 M time of 13:22.67 eclipsed the mark set by Steve Prefontaine in the 1972 Trials.  But there was one record Rupp could only tie, and that one was held by PSU's very own Curt Stone.  Curt was the last person to win both races at the Trials prior to his 6th place finish at the 1952 London (oops, Stockholm!)* Olympics not at Wembley Stadium.  Remember, Curt was the astute team member who convinced Horace Ashenfelter III to join the Track team!

* error of my ways pointed out by new blog fact-checker Matt Groves!

A 5 Minute Stroll and a Stop for Lunch

The Appalachian Trail was first conquered in one walk (known as a thru-hike) by Earl Shaffer, a noted eccentric from York, PA.  He again repeated the feat in 1998, a few years before he passed away.  There is now a museum honoring his feat in Pine Grove Furnace Park.  Earl is to the Trail enthusiasts as Pre is to the running community.  (or maybe Gerry Lindgen?)

Anyway, here's a video showing the entire Trail from Georgia to Maine (the direction most thru-hikers attempt) in less than 5 minutes.  Be advised that the beginning of the Trail is through the territory depicted in the movie Deliverance.



And when you are done, why not train for your next marathon the American Way, at McDonalds!  Joe D'Amico is combining the two loves of his life in one activity.  Prior to his next marathon he is eating every meal for 30 days at McDonalds.  His PR beats Jared's Subway diet by 2:30!

Even Prefontaine Haters Smile at This One

Yesterday, on what would have been Steve Prefontaine's 60th birthday*, I read this great story.  The photo shown was taken just before his death and shows the trophy he helped snag for Oregon during the halftime of "The Civil War" football game between Oregon and Oregon State.  The story is worth the read!


*Elvis would be 76!

Ten Questions: Greg Fredericks (Hall of Honor Member)

   1.    What song immediately brings back memories of Penn State?

Not a big music guy.  Listened to a Simon & Garfunkel, and different folk groups like Peter, Paul & Mary, Gordon Lightfoot....  Come on, it was the late '60's and most of you were in diapers and we had Vietnam and Richard Nixon.  So any of those "artists." 

2.   Who was the biggest team clown during your track years?

We were serious way back when coach first came to PSU.  Gary Murray was as close to a clown as I remember.

3.   What was your best PSU Track or XC performance?

Big 4 meet, Pittsburgh (this is for Artie). Mile 4:00, 880 1:50, anchored 4X440 :48). Team gave Coach a Big 4 victory in Pittsburgh.  For you youngsters the Big 4 was PSU, Pitt, WVU and Syracuse.

4.   What is your best Coach Groves memory?

I have a lot; here is one.  1972 after setting the American record, coach and I were treated to dinner in a nice Seattle restaurant by Neil Amdur (NY Times reporter).  Coach had a dinner bet with him that I would win and coach collected.  Good thing I did not know that before the race.  (I'm pretty sure coach never won, or even placed a bet on me!)

5.   What was your favorite haunt/watering hole in State College back in the day?

Sorry every team needs at least one, not a drinker so my favorite was a fresh fruit sundae at the Deli.  Never missed a Sunday morning workout due to a sundae hangover.  (Mine was Pedro's, where you got chili, a taco and tortilla chips for 99 cents, with a free soft drink of any size on Thursdays!)

6.   What was your least favorite workout?

10X110, 10X220; 10X110; 5X220.  None of us knew he was a 440 Man!

7.   How many members of the women’s track team did you date, even though Coach Groves said they were “off-limits”?

None.  Coach made sure there was no women's team until I graduated and Mike Sands enrolled!  (Before a girls team existed and before color was invented for photographs!)

8.   What is your most embarrassing moment while attending Penn State?

Growing what I called a mustache!  (Ask Whiteside about my goatee!)

9.   What exercising do you currently do?

Still lift weights though it may be hard to tell; Get a 5K run each day though it is a bike ride some weekends.  "TEAM" run the morning of the Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament and Reunion.  Shameless plug for Dave!  (Any shameless promotion is certainly appreciated!)

10.  What was the best home football game you attended?
Did I mention I was here during the late '60's.  First 2 undefeated teams under Paterno '68 and '69.  They were all good those years.  (I went to a lot of those games also.  Band day was always great, if anyone remembers those.)

Olympic Videos to Whet the Appetite

A little Pre-Olympic Frivolity is in order. A tasty delicacy to start off; Frank Shorter's 1972 Munich Marathon Victory.




And on a more somber note for our Prefontaine fans (ahem, Prefan!) , the 1972 Munich 5000 meter finish with blood doping proving its worth in the final meters.






We apparently will have some representation at the Beijing Games Track Events, even though it will be from the stands. Alas, it is not me. Hopefully we can get some photos of the action for posting!
Addendum: Apparently both recipients of the polos have been pleased with the "fit and finish" and indicate they would make a fine addition to all PSU Track Alumni Golfer's wardrobes. (Results may vary, no guarantees are implied and these statements are not endorsed by the USDA, USATF or any government entity. No harm was done to any lions or beavers during the making of these shirts.)