Ruth Wysocki

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. [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.

Personal Bests

External links

*iaaf name|id=62086|name=Ruth Wysocki
* USATF profile [http://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]