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 440y and 880y. Wysocki attended the University of Redlands, where she excelled at 400 and 800m. 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 1500m. 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 800m - 5000m 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 800m and 3:52.2 for 1500m, both school records at Caltech.

Personal Bests

Distance	Time	Year
880y	2:10.7	1974 (High School)
400m	56.8	1975 (College)
800m	2:07.6	1975 (College)
440y	55.0	1975
800m	1:58.65	1984
1000m	2:38.36	1995
1500m	4:00.18	1984
Mile	4:21.78	1984
2000m	5:40.09	1984
3000m	8:52.91	1987
5000m	16:37.22	1985
800m	2:03.95	1997 (masters)
1000m	2:40.42	1997 (masters)
1500m	4:08.69	1997 (masters)
5000m	16:37.22	1997 (masters)

External links

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