Download - 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!
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
#10
#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
#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
#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
Image: Photorun.net
#7
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…)
#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
#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)
#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.
#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
Image: Runner’s World
#2
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!
#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, Tegdoesn’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?