Posted: December 14, 2004

Athletics: USATF News & Notes, Volume 5, Number 82

NCAA track & cross country participation increases

Participation in NCAA cross country, indoor and outdoor track has shown dramatic increases over the last 20 years, according to statistics recently unveiled by The Running Network.

The 20-year analysis showed dramatic participation increases across the board as men's cross country teams increased from 683 to 859 (up 12%) and individual participation up from 10,095 to 11,267 (up 12%). Women's cross country teams increased from 500 to 930 (up 86%) and individual participation went up from 5,957 to 12,336 (up 107%).

Men's outdoor track teams increased from 579 to 662 (14%) and individual participation went up from 19,421 to 20,821 (up 7%). Women's teams shot up from 472 to 703 (up 49%) as individual participation advanced from 10,242 to 19,345 (up 89%).

Men's indoor track teams went from 446 to 557 (up 25%), with individual participation up from 15,034 to 17,836 (up 19%). Indoor women's track teams went up from 327 to 611 (up 87%) as individual participants went up 146% from 7,132 to 17,529.

In the five-year analysis (1999-2003), the number of men's cross country teams increased from 827 to 859 (up 4%), and the number of individual participants in men's cross country increased from 10,945 to 11,267 (up 3 %). Women's cross country teams increased from 891 to 930 (up 4%), while total participants increased from 12,054 to 12,336 (up 2%).

In the last five years men's outdoor track increased from 637 teams to 662 (up 4%), and the number of individual participants increased from 20,405 to 20,821 (up 2%). During that time period women's outdoor teams increased from 671 to 703 (up 5%) and individual participants went up from 18,216 to 19,345 (up 6%).

Men's indoor track teams increased from 526 to 557 (up 6%) the last five years, with total participants increasing from 16,956 to 17,836 (up 5%). Women's indoor track teams increased from 560 to 611 (up 9%), with total participants up from 15,447 to 17,529 (up 13%).

For more information, visit www.american-trackandfield.com.

Buttry named USOC Athlete of the Month

Cross country standout Missy Buttry of Wartburg College on Monday was named November Athlete of the Month by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Skiing's Bode Miler was the men's honoree, while USOC Team of the Month honor was awarded to the U.S. Men's Bobsled Team.

Buttry, nominated for the award by USA Track & Field, last month became the first runner in any division, male or female, to win three consecutive NCAA national cross country championships. Buttry (Waverly, Iowa) completed the 6,000-meter course at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wis., in 20 minutes, 22 seconds to win the 2004 NCAA title. She also had successfully defended her individual crown at the NCAA D-III Central Regional Cross Country Championships in Waverly with a time of 20:17.

Although not part of her November Athlete of the Month Honor, Buttry got off to a fast start in December by winning her second consecutive individual title at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on December 3 in Portland, Oregon. For her accomplishments, she was named USATF Athlete of the Week on November 16 and December 7.

Cormier, Ryan win Foot Locker titles

West Regional champion Ken Cormier of Douglas, Arizona, and Aislinn Ryan of Bellvale, N.Y., won the individual boys and girls titles Saturday at the 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships National Finals at Morley Field in Balboa Park in San Diego, California.

Cormier moved into the lead in the final 200 meters to win the boys' race in 15 minutes, 22 seconds. Andrew Bumbalough of Brentwood, Tenn., was the runner-up in 15:24, with Mark Matusak of Torrance, Calif., third in 15:26. The West squad won the team competition with 32 points, with Midwest the runner-up with 38 points, Northeast third with 73 points and the South team fourth with 93 points.

In the girls' race, Aislinn Ryan got off to a quick start and held an eight-meter lead over the field at the two-mile mark before winning the race in 17:31. Marie Lawrence of Reno, Nevada, was the runner-up in 17:39, with Ramsey Kavan of Yankton, S.D., third in 17:47. The Midwest squad won the team competition with 28 points, as the West team finished as the runner-up with 46 points. The Northeast squad was third with 72 points and the South team placed fourth with 91 points.

The 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships will air December 20 on Fox Sports Net. Check local listings for air times. For more information visit, www.footlockercc.com.

Track coach Lydiard dies

Legendary track coach Arthur Lydiard died Sunday in a Houston, Texas hotel. He was 87.

The New Zealand-born Lydiard coached Olympic champions Peter Snell and Sir Murray Halberg in the 1960s and inspired a generation of top New Zealand runners. His protégés included 1976 Olympic 1500m gold medalist John Walker and former 5,000-meter world record holder Dick Quax.

Lydiard was known worldwide for his coaching beliefs that emphasized increased stamina training for athletes who could run at a particular rate for a short distance to then run the same pace for greater distances.

Lydiard, who also coached extensively in Finland and in Mexico, is credited for contributing to the worldwide spread of jogging from the mid-1960s also influenced coaches in rugby and rowing.

Lydiard, who was on a lecture tour of the U.S. when he died, is survived by his wife Joelyne. Services are pending.