Ruth Wysocki

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Ruth Wysocki (born 8 March 1957) 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 1960's, 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. [1] 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.

[edit] 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)

[edit] External links

• IAAF profile for Ruth Wysocki
• USATF profile[2]
• Interview with Ruth Wysocki, 2007 [3]
• University of Redlands Track and Field Top Ten Performances [4]
• Summary of accomplishments [5]