The Greatest Idaho distance runner of all time

[Bolinder34]

Who do you think was the most talented runner to ever compete in Idaho?

[RockyRegion]

I would have to say former Lewiston Idaho great Jason Uhlman.

He was the first Idaho male to ever compete at Footlocker Nationals, where he finished 12th in 15:33. He qualified with a 15:10 at the West Regional.

Did I mention he was a 3-time state cross country champion, finishing 2nd as a freshman. He has the 2nd fastest time over the old heralded Faragut State park Course with a 16:04, only bettered by Isaac Hawkins in 1996 who ran a 15:59.

In track he ran a 9:19 two-mile, 4:18 mile, but never really liekd track because those were the same times he ran as a freshman. He also still holds the American Junior 12K National record.

Jed Barta may have been good, Marty Strochien may have been good, but jason Uhlman was dominant.

[runbob]

It depends if your talking track or cross country. If it's just cross, Billy Herman has to rank equally with Jason Uhlman, Billy dominated cross as much as Jason did leading his team to 4 straight championships and had a better state track success winning the 3200 twice, he also went on to an excellent career at Northern Arizona twice qualifying for the finals in the Steeplchase at the Olympic Trials in 2000 and 2004. Jason had a very weak collegiate career at best in comparison. Spencer Hill had one very dominate year in track being the first to win all 3 races at state in excellent times, 800 - 1:54.2, 1600 - 1:16.5 and 3200 in 9:17.7. He went on to ISU and had a good career there winning 8 Big Sky Championships Indoors and Out. But never qualified for the NCAA's Outdoors in Track.

While Forrest Braden hasn't finished his career at Boise State, I think he is also a worthy candidate for one of the most talented. HE ran at Bonners Ferry and dominated his class in both cross and track, running very good times with no othe competition to push or pull hmi along in high school.
At Boise State he's run under 14:00 for 5K numerous times both indoor and out and has qualified for the nationals in cross, indoors and outdoors.

Jed Barta is another that had a good high school career but was disappointing as a college runner.

The most successful runner in college was probably Rick Bergesen he went on to Oregon and one year was the only Oregon athlete to qualify gor the 1500, 5000 and 10,000 to NCAA's also breaking 4:00 for the mile that year! Pretty good range if you ask me.

If it's just talent we are talking about then Gene Batenacourt can't be left out he did run 4:09 but wasted his talent with other interests.

It's a fun topic to debate when you also have some historical knowledge.

[CrossTrack]

Who do you think was the most talented runner to ever compete in Idaho?

HS or college? male or female? distance, sprints, or hurdles?

[RockyRegion]

It comes down to the following in my opinion: I ranked them by overall dominance, not necessarily by being the fastest.

Boys Top 10
1. Jason Uhlman - Lewiston (12th @ 1991 Footlocker, 2nd Idaho male ever, 3X cross country champion)
2. Robin Card - Capital - (18th @ 1985 Kinney National Champs, 1st ever!; XC Champion)
3. Marty Strochein - Highland - (1:52, 9:09, 4:15)
4. Spencer Hill - Boise - (1:54, 9:17, 4:15)
5. Jed Barta - Bonneville (17th @ 1998 Footlocker Championships; 9:01, 4:12; 2nd 1998 West Coast XC Regionals)
6. Billy Herman - Centennial (6th @ 1995 Footlocker Championships; 3X Cross Country Champion)
7. Phil Wallinger - Lewison - (1:55, 4:15, 15:12 5K)
8. Matt Knoff - Highland - (14:45 5K, 3-time XC Champion)
9. Gene Betencourt - Capital (4:10)
11. Forest Braden - Bonners Ferry - (1:53, 9:15, 4:18; 2X Cross Country Champion; 11th 2001 west coast regionals)

Girls
The Girls’ contest that first year had Ellen Lyons (Bishop Kelly, Boise, Id) complete two years of undefeated action in the sport, romping to a 17:28 Course Record run (set by San Diego State’s Lynn Kanuka the same year at 17:48). Idaho, not exactly thought of as a hotbed of American prep distance running, showed the amazing nature of these championships, where athletes who do not necessarily face national level competition each weekend or two can rise to the occasion at the national level competition. Lyons had led early in the race through a 5:12 first mile, with Roxanne Bier (Independence, San Jose, Ca) moving into the lead before the tough switchbacks at the two mile point, with Lyons closing very strong over the last mile to win by over 100 yards. Being undefeated for two years! Here are her West Regional results: 1 Ellen Lyons* Sr Bishop Kelly, Boise, ID 16:31 5:36 1979 KWest; Ellen Lyons, was an All-American cross country and 10,000 meter runner at Stanford during the early 1980's

1. Ellen Lyons - Bishop Kelly (1979 Footlocker/ Kinney National Champion; 5:08, 10:56)
2. Brenda Falash - Twin Falls (3 time XC Champion)
3. Becky Ward - Richfield (5:14, 11:17, 2 time XC Champion)
4. Greta Johnson - Potlach (3X Cross Country Champion)
5. Susan Werner - Boise (10:59, XC Champion)
6. Dana Morgan - (XC Champion, 4:59, 2:15)
7. Jenny Reese - Couer d' Alene - (2 time Cross Country Champion)
8. Christine Kohler - Idaho Falls - (XC Champion)
9. Robin Witcher - (2 time Cross Country Champion; 5:15)
10. Jennifer McPherson - Skyview (5:04, 10:55)

[Bolinder34]

HS or college? male or female? distance, sprints, or hurdles?


I was originally referring to distance runners (Male and female) only that whent to high school in Idaho..

But talking about some of the best all around track athletes may be interesting also!

if we are talking about all around dominance you cant leave out the performance we all witnessed by Kevin Pabst last year. His time in a couple races were nothing special but whens the last time you saw a guy win the 110 hurdles the 300 hurdles the 800 and place second in long jump?!!

for overall dominance evr in distance running I would have to say that Billy herman would have to be at the top.

[RockyRegion]

As far as High School level my list above is what I believe is an accurate top 10 for pure distance runners.

If you go for post high school success BILLY HERMAN did achieve more than any other Idaho prep athlete post high school. The guy ran mid 8:20's for the steeple and went to the Olympic Trials!

Herman's dad was a bit over the top however. I think he thought Billy would run forever, Jason Uhlman met him once and asked him about what Billy was planning on doing after running. Mr. herman replied, "what do you mean after running?" Jason said the guy just didn't have a clue.

For girls post high school Ellen Lyons still rocks the house. Man, Lyons went out 5:12 the first mile of her national championship race over 5000 meters and still ran in the 16:40's.

[Trackorbit]

also post high school, for the mile at least, don't forget about Gerald Jones (sp?), his best time in hs in the mile was something like 4:50 in high school, around there, and went to ISU and broke 4:00 in the mile, went to olympic trials and almost qualified ( this was in the 70's ), I've talked to him before and hes a really nice guy to :D