George Kersh
Encyclopedia
George Kersh is a former world-class runner and current high school running coach.
of California. George Kersh Drive in Pearl is named after their local hero.
in 1989. He went to the University of Mississippi
for his final two years of college.
in New Orleans on June 24, 1992. He did not qualify for the Olympic team in Barcelona, Spain, however, as he came in fourth, .03 of a second behind Johnny Gray
(1:42.80), Mark Everett
(1:43.67), and Jose Parilla (1:43.97). After college, he ran as a member of the anta Monica Track Club}].
He won a gold medal at the 1990 Goodwill Games
ahead of Everett and Gray, setting the Goodwill Games record in the process.
).
High school
While running for Pearl High School Kersh broke the national high school record twice in the 800m, with a best time of 1:46:58 on June 13, 1987. The record was broken in 1996 by Michael GranvilleMichael Granville
Michael Granville is a retired American 800 metres runner. He is known for being the National High School record holder in the race. Running for Bell Gardens High School set the record of 1:46.45 in the trial round of the 1996 CIF California State Meet at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California...
of California. George Kersh Drive in Pearl is named after their local hero.
Collegiate
After high school, Kersh went to California to attend Taft Junior College. He still holds the national Junior College record at 800 metres 1:46.60 set at the Mt. SAC RelaysMt. SAC Relays
The Mt. SAC Relays are an annual track and field festival held primarily at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the Mt. San Antonio College campus in Walnut, California. The relays, held in April each year, were started by then track coach Hilmer Lodge in 1959. The meet attracts all levels and disciplines of...
in 1989. He went to the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
for his final two years of college.
Post Collegiate
Between 1987 and 1994, Kersh ranked in the top 10 at 800m seven times ranking as high as number 2, with a personal best of 1:44:00 at the Olympics TrialsUnited States Olympic Trials (track and field)
The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
in New Orleans on June 24, 1992. He did not qualify for the Olympic team in Barcelona, Spain, however, as he came in fourth, .03 of a second behind Johnny Gray
Johnny Gray
John Lee Gray, Jr. was an American 800 m runner of the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1985 he set the US record of 1:42.60 min at a meet in Koblenz. That time puts Gray as the #11 performer of all time...
(1:42.80), Mark Everett
Mark Everett (athlete)
David Mark Everett is a former American college and international middle-distance runner who won the bronze medal in the 800-meter event at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo. The following year, Everett finished second in the US Olympic Trials in New Orleans behind Johnny Gray...
(1:43.67), and Jose Parilla (1:43.97). After college, he ran as a member of the anta Monica Track Club}].
He won a gold medal at the 1990 Goodwill Games
Goodwill Games
The Goodwill Games was an international sports competition, created by Ted Turner in reaction to the political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s...
ahead of Everett and Gray, setting the Goodwill Games record in the process.
Coaching
Today, Kersh coaches Cross Country and Track & Field at his Jr. high and high school alma mater, Pearl High School (Pearl Public School DistrictPearl Public School District
The Pearl Public School District is a public school district based in Pearl, Mississippi .-Schools:*Pearl High School Built in 1989; Expansions* in 1997, 2003 and 2005...
).