Henry Rono, the world-record-setting distance runner for Washington State, was named the Pac-12’s men’s track Athlete of the Century.
Rono, from Kiptaragon, Kenya, attended WSU from 1976 to 1981. He established four world records in 81 days in 1978 in the 5,000 meters (13 minutes, 8.4 seconds), steeplechase (8:05.4), 10,000 (27:22.47) and 3,000 (7:32.1.). The 5,000 and the steeplechase times remain collegiate records 38 years later.
Other Cougars on the 52-man All-Century team were Bernard Lagat (1,500), Gerry Lindgren (10,000), Jeshua Anderson (400 hurdles), Julius Korir (steeplechase), Joseph Taiwo (triple jump) and John van Reenen (discus). Washington athletes on the team were Brad Walker (pole vault) and Scott Neilson (hammer).