BYU Trivia Question.

[lovetorun]

Another BYU distance runner besides Miles Batty ran a 3:54.4 indoor mile. Ran it not while a collegiate representing BYU but in an open race unnattached. Who is he?

[mcgato]

Doug Padilla?

[dj]

It's neither of the two obvious possibilities.

[Per Andersen]

It's neither of the two obvious possibilities.

Is Paul Cummings one of "the two obvious possibilities"?

[no one]

jay woods

[lovetorun]

Yes, "no one" got it...Jay Woods in the Meadowlands classic race where Eamon Coughlin ran 3:49.8 world indoor record.

Jay Woods was a very talented distance runner that never really broke out like other BYU greats. Also he was with Paul Cummings in 2001 when they were both washed out of their boat by a rogue storm while fishing together in Strawberry Resevoir in Utah. Jay may it back to shore, Paul didn't and drowned. A tragic day for all of us distance runners who knew Paul.

[Bruce Kritzler]

What was Jason Pyrah's lifetime best?

[no one]

Pyrah - 3:55.14 mile. I've read that he had a phenomenal day at his state track meet his Sr year, winning 800, 1600, and 3200 - maybe a relay thrown in there. 'Bordering' on legendary - certainly in his state.

Jay and Paul had gone to Strawberry to fish on a pleasant day. As is the case in Utah a violent storm charged in before they could react. I believe Paul had 'wader' (?) boots on and they swiftly filled with water and he couldn't extricate himself from them. Sad day

[lovetorun]

Jason Pyrah was another BYU runner who is not as well known as Paul Cummings, Doug Padilla, Henry Marsh and Ed Eyestone...but at least he was in the 1500m OG final, and finished 10th, I believe.

Not sure what kept Jay Woods from reaching more of his great potential but he would have been world class I believe in the 3000m as well as 5000m because he was very well suited or longer than mile races. I would have loved to see him compete for a few years and run the longer distances...he was an awesome talent.

When I was coach of the San Pasqual, Escondido California H.S. cross country in the mid 1970's Jay was at rival Vista H.S. and when we met them on our home course Jay was so far ahead past half way in the race that it looked like he was running a time trial by himself. Amazing runner.

[Conor Dary]

Pyrah - 3:55.14 mile. I've read that he had a phenomenal day at his state track meet his Sr year, winning 800, 1600, and 3200 - maybe a relay thrown in there. 'Bordering' on legendary - certainly in his state.

Jay and Paul had gone to Strawberry to fish on a pleasant day. As is the case in Utah a violent storm charged in before they could react. I believe Paul had 'wader' (?) boots on and they swiftly filled with water and he couldn't extricate himself from them. Sad day

I know kuha was there when Pyrah had his marvelous day. And from I heard it was pretty exciting.

[kuha]

Pyrah - 3:55.14 mile. I've read that he had a phenomenal day at his state track meet his Sr year, winning 800, 1600, and 3200 - maybe a relay thrown in there. 'Bordering' on legendary - certainly in his state.

Jay and Paul had gone to Strawberry to fish on a pleasant day. As is the case in Utah a violent storm charged in before they could react. I believe Paul had 'wader' (?) boots on and they swiftly filled with water and he couldn't extricate himself from them. Sad day

I know kuha was there when Pyrah had his marvelous day. And from I heard it was pretty exciting.

Yes, I was there and it remains one of the most impressive HS performances I've ever seen. I'd have to look the exact times up, but the 1600 was particularly great. It's my memory that Pyrah (running pretty much entirely on his own) went out in 56, 1:56, and 3:00. The early pace was astonishing...

[no one]

seems like Pyrah's 1600 was 4:04 ... ? just an educated guess

[no one]

lil bit o google: 1987 .... 800 = 1:51.25 / ran 1:51.65 (semi-final/heat), 1600 = 4:03.54, 3200 = 9:07.48 ... , 4:05.03 in 1986.

[Conor Dary]

lil bit o google: 1987 .... 800 = 1:51.25 / ran 1:51.65 (semi-final/heat), 1600 = 4:03.54, 3200 = 9:07.48 ... , 4:05.03 in 1986.

That long ago? Wow, how time flies.

[kuha]

lil bit o google: 1987 .... 800 = 1:51.25 / ran 1:51.65 (semi-final/heat), 1600 = 4:03.54, 3200 = 9:07.48 ... , 4:05.03 in 1986.

That long ago? Wow, how time flies.

Yes, that is sort of surprising-- going on 26 years!

I believe that Pyrahs 800 prelim was the previous evening, but I'd have to double check that. Pyrah won the 3A final in 1:51 and a few minutes later, the 4A final went in 1:49, so it was a pretty amazing day in that event. If Pyrah had been in that 4A race I certainly think he could have gone faster than 1:51. The 3200 was a very easy race; he strictly went for the win. In the 1600, there had been talk about a potential sub 4 race, and it looked possible till the last 150m or so. Still a solo 4:03 was quite impressive, particularly in the context of what else he did that day.

The only comparable for me was the Virgin double that Conor & I saw in 1973-- solo 8:48.8 and 4:08.5 races within an hour or so.

[Conor Dary]

The only comparable for me was the Virgin double that Conor & I saw in 1973-- solo 8:48.8 and 4:08.5 races within an hour or so.

I sure remember that meet down near Carbondale.