Bryan’s Top Ten US Debuts

And Five for the Future!
Bryan’s Top Ten US Debuts

Took place in the past 10 years or so (before that I wasn’t paying attention)
Expectations leading up to it
Quality of performance
Surprise factor
*I’m completely aware that this is a subjective list that blatantly leaves out many great old debuts. Please feel free to add them to this list in the comments!
Criteria

#10
Much anticipated
#6 US all-time
Course record victory
Ideal course, weather
My take: Honestly, didn’t it seem like a safe performance? I don’t think she really went for it in Houston.
Image: Photorun.net
Shalane Flanagan – 1:09:41 half (2010)

#12 US all-time
11th place World Half Marathon Champs
Weather, course less than ideal
My take: Not as impressive as Flanagan’s debut on paper, but I was more surprised by Begley
Amy Yoder Begley – 1:10:09 half (2009)
#9

Pretty big surprise
US Junior Record
#2 freshman all-time
My take: She may be the future of US distance running if she gets & stays healthy
LaurynneChetelat – 15:43.31 5k (2009)
#8

#4 US debut time ever
#27 US all-time performer
6 seconds off of Frank Shorter’s PR
Wait…Brett Gotcher?
My take: Huge potential for “If Brett Gotcher can do it, I can too” impact on US distance running
Brett Gotcher – 2:10:36 marathon (2010)
#7
Image: Photorun.net

College sophomore
Fastest 10k debut by American (at the time)
US collegiate 10k record (at the time)
Next day he won the Big 12 5k!
My take: This race was the one that convinced me Ritz would own US 10k record (still waiting…)
DathanRitzenhein – 27:38.5 10k (2004)
#6

Highly anticipated
#1 US debut all-time
#6 US performance all-time
My take: With every passing year, this performance looks better and better
Ryan Hall – 2:08:24 marathon (2007)
#5

Much hyped
3rd US all-time
3rd in race (behind Radcliffe, Petrova)
My take: Underrated debut because of course difficulty and competition (article here)
Kara Goucher – 2:25:53 marathon (2008)
#4

Out-kicked Ritz
Displayed never before seen range for US miler
Solidified his status as most talented American runner
My take: Completely blew my mind. Still seems unreal.
Alan Webb – 27:34.72 10k (2006)
#3

Technically not a debut? (close enough for me!)
Indoor junior world record
1st ever indoor race
Exceeded very high expectations
My take: This race completely reset my expectations for German
German Fernandez – 3:56.5i mile (2009)
#2
Image: Runner’s World

Came out of nowhere
First white athlete sub-60
Still 73rd all time (25th at the time)
It was a solo effort!
My take: This was the ultimate combo debut: historic performance that completely caught me by surprise!
Ryan Hall – 59:43 AR half (2007)
#1

Jordan Hasay – 5,000m:Hasay has the speed and strength to get the US Junior Record
Matt Tegenkamp – 10,000m: I know, I know, Teg doesn’t run the 10k
Galen Rupp – half marathon: It may be awhile, but he seems like the guy to drop a bomb when he debuts
Anthony Famiglietti – half/marathon: He’s sure to run reckless, which will make predicting it fun
Shalane Flanagan – Marathon: Will she be able to move up the way Kastor and Goucher have?
Bonus: Five To Look Forward To!

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Bryan’s Top Ten US Debuts

by Bryan Green on Jan 25, 2010

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Bryan’s Top Ten US Debuts — Presentation Transcript