NYRR - In the last 2K of the 2001 USA Junior Cross Country Championships, a relatively unknown Wisconsin freshman appeared alongside the heavily favored Dathan Ritzenhein. The runner outkicked Ritzenhein and eventually won the race. At the World Cross Country Championships a few weeks later, this same Wisconsin freshman placed fifth in the world in a race that was won by future world record-holder Kenenisa Bekele. Six years later, this runner, Matt Tegenkamp, 25, is no longer unknown: He went on to set the American record in the two-mile (8:07.7) at the Prefontaine Classic this year and has run the fourth fastest 5K ever by an American (13:04.90 in 2006), putting him within striking distance of becoming the second American to run under 13 minutes for that distance.

Photo by Victah Sailor