Jim Sorensen
Encyclopedia
Jim Sorensen is an American Track and Field athlete, known primarily for running middle distance races. He is the current Masters M40 world record holder at 800 metres
and former Masters M40 world record holder at 1500 metres
.
Sorensen's race to stardom was rather slow. In high school he was moderately successful, finishing in 6th place in the 800 metres (1:52.38) at the 1986 CIF California State Meet
while running for Villa Park High School
. Youtube video of that race. He then ran for Santa Ana College
and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, eventually achieving a Division II NCAA Championship at 1500 metres in 1991. He became the 190th American to join the 4 minute mile club in a race in San Francisco in 1993. His time was 3:59.70. He qualified for and competed at the US Track and Field Championships from 1993 to 1997. By 1996 he was the No. 4 ranked 1500 metre runner in the United States. His lifetime personal records (PR's) for 800 metres, 1500 metres, one mile, 3000 metres, and 5000 metres are 1:47.24, 3:38.65, 3:59.16, 8:09.00, and 14:10.17, respectively.
, finishing a "surprising" second place by .02 seconds in a tight "kicker's" race. After finishing the race in Atlanta, Georgia's heat and humidity, Sorensen was carted away from the finish line. To add insult to his injury, because he did not achieve the "A" standard, Sorensen did not get to run in the Olympics, his berth being given to Brian Hyde, though his 22 day pursuit of the qualifying time netted him his lifetime personal record of 3:38.65, .65 slower than the qualifying standard.
in Eagle Rock, California on June 3, 2007 at 3:44.06. Four weeks later in Bloomington, Indiana
at the American Milers Club meet at the University of Indiana he set the 800 metres world record at 1:50.34. He was named USATF's Athlete of the Week that week A week after that he ran in a Pro Men’s Mile exhibition at the USA Youth Championships in Lisle, Illinois
. Although the conditions were hot and windy, his time was 4:04.98, an M40 American record. Finally as a masters runner, he has a sponsor Sorensen's full time employment is as a coach and physical education teacher at Bancroft Middle School (San Leandro, California). He also is an assistant coach for the cross country team at Notre Dame de Namur University
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
and former Masters M40 world record holder at 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
.
Sorensen's race to stardom was rather slow. In high school he was moderately successful, finishing in 6th place in the 800 metres (1:52.38) at the 1986 CIF California State Meet
CIF California State Meet
The CIF California State Meet is the annual championship track and field meet for the California Interscholastic Federation. The meet was started in 1915 for boys and 1974 for girls. Every athlete in every high school in California has a direct qualification path that can reach the state meet...
while running for Villa Park High School
Villa Park High School
Villa Park High School is a suburban public high school in Villa Park, California. The school was built in 1964 and is one of four comprehensive high schools in the Orange Unified School District. The campus serves students residing in Villa Park and portions of the cities of Orange and...
. Youtube video of that race. He then ran for Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College is a community college located in Santa Ana, California, USA.-History:In 1915, Santa Ana Junior College opened its doors to 25 students as a department of Santa Ana High School. It was the second community college founded in Orange County, behind Fullerton College, and the fourth...
and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, eventually achieving a Division II NCAA Championship at 1500 metres in 1991. He became the 190th American to join the 4 minute mile club in a race in San Francisco in 1993. His time was 3:59.70. He qualified for and competed at the US Track and Field Championships from 1993 to 1997. By 1996 he was the No. 4 ranked 1500 metre runner in the United States. His lifetime personal records (PR's) for 800 metres, 1500 metres, one mile, 3000 metres, and 5000 metres are 1:47.24, 3:38.65, 3:59.16, 8:09.00, and 14:10.17, respectively.
Olympic pursuit
He ran in the 1996 U.S. Olympic 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,...
, finishing a "surprising" second place by .02 seconds in a tight "kicker's" race. After finishing the race in Atlanta, Georgia's heat and humidity, Sorensen was carted away from the finish line. To add insult to his injury, because he did not achieve the "A" standard, Sorensen did not get to run in the Olympics, his berth being given to Brian Hyde, though his 22 day pursuit of the qualifying time netted him his lifetime personal record of 3:38.65, .65 slower than the qualifying standard.
Masters
Following his disappointment, Sorensen took it in stride and continued to run without the help of a sponsor. By the time he reached age 40 he still had the goal of running sub-4:00. Though he didn't achieve that (only Eamon Coughlan ever has-indoors) he did set the M40 world record for 1500 metres at the Southern California Association USATF Championships at Occidental CollegeOccidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
in Eagle Rock, California on June 3, 2007 at 3:44.06. Four weeks later in Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
at the American Milers Club meet at the University of Indiana he set the 800 metres world record at 1:50.34. He was named USATF's Athlete of the Week that week A week after that he ran in a Pro Men’s Mile exhibition at the USA Youth Championships in Lisle, Illinois
Lisle, Illinois
Lisle is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,930 at the 2011 census, and estimated to be 23,135 as of 2008. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor...
. Although the conditions were hot and windy, his time was 4:04.98, an M40 American record. Finally as a masters runner, he has a sponsor Sorensen's full time employment is as a coach and physical education teacher at Bancroft Middle School (San Leandro, California). He also is an assistant coach for the cross country team at Notre Dame de Namur University
Notre Dame de Namur University
Notre Dame de Namur University — formerly the College of Notre Dame — is a private, Catholic University located in Belmont, California in the San Francisco Bay Area. Notre Dame de Namur University is an accredited university in San Mateo County, and the fifth-oldest university in California...