Dathan Ritzenhein (Rockford, MI)
Dathan Ritzenhein (pictured in red) won two consecutive Foot Locker Nationals titles in 1999 and 2000.
Dathan Ritzenhein would make an Olympic team in his own right in 2008, but at The Penn Relays Carnival of 2001, the Rockford (MI) senior performed beyond his years in the Olympic Developmental 5k.
"Ritz," the two-time reigning Foot Locker Nationals champion, ran 13:51.69 to challenge adidas pro Anthony Famiglietti and ultimately finish runner-up in what was the second-fastest 5k in prep history.
The time still ranks U.S. No. 3 All-Time behind Gerry Lindgren's 13:44.0 (1964) and Galen Rupp's National High School Record 13:37.91 (2004). Only eight schoolboys have broken 15 minutes for 5,000 meters.
ALAN WEBB & SOUTH LAKES (VA) | TASHA STANLEY & ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (MD) | NICK VENA (MORRISTOWN, NJ) | MATT CENTROWITZ (BROADNECK, MD) | MARY CAIN (BRONXVILLE, NY) | OBEA MOORE & JOHN MUIR (CA) | BRYSHON NELLUM & LONG BEACH POLY (CA) | YOHAN BLAKE & ST. JAGO (JAM) | DATHAN RITZENHEIN (ROCKFORD, MI) | ALBEMARLE (VA) & MORRIS HILLS (NJ) BOYS 4X800M | OLIVIA BAKER & COLUMBIA (NJ) | SEAN MCGORTY (CHANTILLY, VA) | SHALONDA SOLOMON & LONG BEACH POLY (CA)