Ruth Wysocki
Encyclopedia
Ruth Wysocki is an American
middle distance runner who specialized in the 800 meters and 1500 metres
.
Wysocki began track competition in age-group races in the late 1960s, and continued her track career over a period of about 30 years, until she became a Masters (over-40) runner in 1997. Wysocki was a standout performer in the 800m in high school, winning the California State championship at 440 y and 880 y.
Wysocki attended the University of Redlands, where she excelled at 400 and 800 m.
Wysocki first won fame in American middle-distance running when she upset Mary Decker
to win the 1978 US Champsionships 800m in 2:01.99. Wysocki scored another upset victory against Decker (now Slaney) at the 1984 US Olympic Trials
, this time at 1500 m. Wysocki outsprinted Slaney to win the Trials in 4:00.18. At the 1984 Summer Olympics
she finished sixth in 800 m and eighth in 1500 m. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/stats_athletics/olympics/1984_w.asp She finished seventh in 1500 m at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics
in Gothenburg.
In 1997, Wysocki set several Masters records at distances from 800 m - 5000 m on the track, and 5k and 8k road races. Her father, Willis Kleinsasser, was also a successful Masters athlete. Her brother, Alan Kleinsasser, ran 1:50.5 for 800 m and 3:52.2 for 1500 m, both school records at Caltech.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
middle distance runner who specialized in the 800 meters and 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...
.
Wysocki began track competition in age-group races in the late 1960s, and continued her track career over a period of about 30 years, until she became a Masters (over-40) runner in 1997. Wysocki was a standout performer in the 800m in high school, winning the California State championship at 440 y and 880 y.
Wysocki attended the University of Redlands, where she excelled at 400 and 800 m.
Wysocki first won fame in American middle-distance running when she upset Mary Decker
Mary Decker
Mary Slaney is an American former track athlete. During her career, she won gold medals in the 1500 meters and 3000 meters at the 1983 World Championships, and set 17 official and unofficial world records and 36 US national records.-Biography:Mary Decker was born in Bunnvale, Hunterdon County, New...
to win the 1978 US Champsionships 800m in 2:01.99. Wysocki scored another upset victory against Decker (now Slaney) at the 1984 US 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,...
, this time at 1500 m. Wysocki outsprinted Slaney to win the Trials in 4:00.18. At the 1984 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 1984 Summer Olympics
At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, 41 events in athletics were contested, 24 events by men and 17 by women. There were a total number of 1273 participating athletes from 124 countries.-Men's events:-Women's events:...
she finished sixth in 800 m and eighth in 1500 m. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/stats_athletics/olympics/1984_w.asp She finished seventh in 1500 m at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics
1995 World Championships in Athletics
The 5th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held at the Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden between August 5 and August 13.This edition featured 1804 athletes from 191 nations....
in Gothenburg.
In 1997, Wysocki set several Masters records at distances from 800 m - 5000 m on the track, and 5k and 8k road races. Her father, Willis Kleinsasser, was also a successful Masters athlete. Her brother, Alan Kleinsasser, ran 1:50.5 for 800 m and 3:52.2 for 1500 m, both school records at Caltech.
Personal bests
| Distance | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 880 y | 2:10.7 | 1974 (High School) |
| 400 m | 56.8 | 1975 (College) |
| 800 m | 2:07.6 | 1975 (College) |
| 440 y | 55.0 | 1975 |
| 800 m | 1:58.65 | 1984 |
| 1000 m | 2:38.36 | 1995 |
| 1500 m | 4:00.18 | 1984 |
| Mile | 4:21.78 | 1984 |
| 2000 m | 5:40.09 | 1984 |
| 3000 m | 8:52.91 | 1987 |
| 5000m | 16:37.22 | 1985 |
| 800 m | 2:03.95 | 1997 (masters) |
| 1000 m | 2:40.42 | 1997 (masters) |
| 1500 m | 4:08.69 | 1997 (masters) |
| 5000 m | 16:37.22 | 1997 (masters) |
External links
- USATF profilehttp://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/1997/wysocki.asp
- Interview with Ruth Wysocki, 2007 http://www.masterstrack.com/blog/archives/000618.html
- University of Redlands Track and Field Top Ten Performances http://www.redlands.edu/x8879.xml
- Summary of accomplishments http://www.aimhighrunning.com/rwysocki.html