Michael Granville
Encyclopedia
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
. He went on to win the state meet the following day, but after setting the record he claims he just "dogged it." He had won the race two years earlier and was upset into second by Aaron Richburg, in a major surprise the year before.
Granville also holds the indoor 800 metres record and set the class record at 800 metres at all four levels of high school; 1:51.03 as a freshman, 1:48.98 as a sophomore and 1:47.96 as a junior. He is reputed to have run the race around 1:56 in 8th grade. He also won the prestigious Arcadia Invitational
multiple times.
Granville was trained by his father, on grass at nearby Bell Gardens Middle School, separate from the rest of his team. His father felt training on grass "makes you work harder."
The 1:46.45 qualified Granville to run in the United States Olympic Trials
, skipping his high school graduation, a few weeks later where he advanced to the quarter finals behind the previous High School record holder George Kersh
.
After high school, Granville went to UCLA where, without his father's coaching, his times did not improve. He did, however, win two national championships
as a member of the school's 1999 4x400 metres relay and distance medley relay
teams.
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...
runner. He is known for being the National High School record holder in the race. Running for Bell Gardens High School
Bell Gardens High School
Bell Gardens High School is a public high school in Bell Gardens, California, part of the Montebello Unified School District.-History:The campus was built in the 1930s and 1940s...
set the record of 1:46.45 in the trial round of the 1996 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...
at Cerritos College
Cerritos College
Cerritos College is a public comprehensive community college founded in 1955 located in Norwalk, California. It was named after Rancho Los Cerritos, a ranch that served prominently in the region in the 19th century...
in Norwalk, California
Norwalk, California
Norwalk is a suburban city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 105,549 at the 2010 census, up from 103,298 at the 2000 census, making it the 58th most populous city in California and the 255th nationally....
. He went on to win the state meet the following day, but after setting the record he claims he just "dogged it." He had won the race two years earlier and was upset into second by Aaron Richburg, in a major surprise the year before.
Granville also holds the indoor 800 metres record and set the class record at 800 metres at all four levels of high school; 1:51.03 as a freshman, 1:48.98 as a sophomore and 1:47.96 as a junior. He is reputed to have run the race around 1:56 in 8th grade. He also won the prestigious Arcadia Invitational
Arcadia Invitational
Arcadia Invitational is among the most competitive high school track and field competitions in the United States. It has been billed as "Home of National Records." The meet is held at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, California, on the second weekend in April...
multiple times.
Granville was trained by his father, on grass at nearby Bell Gardens Middle School, separate from the rest of his team. His father felt training on grass "makes you work harder."
The 1:46.45 qualified Granville to run in the United States Olympic Trials
United 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,...
, skipping his high school graduation, a few weeks later where he advanced to the quarter finals behind the previous High School record holder George Kersh
George Kersh
George Kersh is a former world-class runner and current high school running coach.-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 Granville of...
.
After high school, Granville went to UCLA where, without his father's coaching, his times did not improve. He did, however, win two national championships
NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA team champions for Men's Indoor Track and Field-See also:*NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*Pre-NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions...
as a member of the school's 1999 4x400 metres relay and distance medley relay
Distance Medley Relay
The distance medley relay is an athletic event in which four athletes compete as part of a relay. Unlike most track relays, each member of the team runs a different distance. A distance medley relay is made up of a 1200 meter leg, or three laps on a standard 400 meter track; a 400 meter leg, or one...
teams.