Robert Gary
From WikiRun
| Robert Gary | |
| Event | Steeplechase |
|---|---|
| Height | 5-10 |
| Weight | 150 |
| PR | 8:19.16 (1996) Steeple 8:19.26 (1996) |
| Born | April 5, 1973 at Chicago, Ill. |
| Current Residence | Columbus, Ohio |
| High School | Evanston Township (Evanston, Ill.) 1991 |
| College | Ohio State 95 |
| Coach | Lee Labadie |
| Agent | Ray Flynn |
| Club | adidas |
Robert Gary is an American runner and head track coach at Ohio State University. He placed 12th in his opening round steeplechase heat at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.[1] Gary also earned accolades in cross country, winning the 2004 Track and Field News Cross Country Runner of the Year award. Gary qualified for the U.S. team for the second straight season in both the 4- and 12-kilometer events. He finished as the top American at the 2004 World Championships in the 4K. Gary's 2004 qualification to the world championships in two events marked the first time a U.S. runner made both teams in consecutive years. [2]
Gary is a graduate of Evanston Township High School (Chicago, Ill.) where he was a state champion in the two-mile and an All-Midwest selection in soccer.
Coaching career
Gary joined the Ohio State University coaching staff upon receiving a degree in English education from OSU in the fall of 1996. He was mens distance coach until becoming head track coach in July 2006.[2] Gary succeeds Russ Rogers, who retired in June after 19 seasons with the Buckeyes.
On the track during the 2006 season, Gary mentored Brian Olinger to his second-consecutive All-American season, upping Gary's total to 11 All-America awards in men's distance at Ohio State. Olinger, a senior, also claimed the Big Ten 10,000-meter title, moving Gary's total to 16 conference distance champions.
Gary has been men's head mens cross country coach since 1998. The 2002 cross country season was Gary's most successful season as head coach of the Buckeyes. After a steady progression, he guided the mens team to a second place finish at the Big Ten Championships, which was the teams highest finish in the conference since 1977. Following the Big Ten meet, Gary led the Buckeyes to its second NCAA appearance and finished an impressive 17th overall. As a result, Gary was named Ohio Cross Country Coach of the Year has been named for five of the last six seasons, while senior Derrick Butler was named the Ohio Cross Country Runner of the Year for 2002. Butler is the third student-athlete to achieve the award in Gary's tenure.
Career highllghts
- 3rd at 2004 Olympic trials
- 1999 U.S. runner-up;
- 2003 USA 4 km Cross Country champ
- 2-time Olympian (96, 04)
References
- ↑ http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2005/Gary_Robert.asp Retrieved 2008-05-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.cstv.com/sports/c-track/stories/072406aaa.html Retrieved 2008-05-29.