Running Shots

 

Chuck and Frank Assumma Chuck Assumma

(L) Chuck leads Frank (Rialto Road Runners)-The Assumma twins (11yrs).

(R) 10 year old Chuck rips a 5:07.3 mile. An age 10 best!

(L) At 11 years, Chuck became the first 11 year-old to break the five minute "barrier" as he ran 4:57.8! The two ran in tandem through laps of 70, 74, 78, before Chuck pulled away with a 75.8 last lap. Frank ran 5:02.3!!

Chuck also ran 10:05.7 for 2M - an all-time age best for 11 yrs.

In front as usual, Frank & Chuck Assumma

In front as usual, Frank & Chuck Assumma.
The Assumma twins dominated the age-group ranks (under fourteen). The pair have set national and world age-group records in the mile and two-mile run since they were nine. They were the first 12-year-olds to ever run two-miles under 10 minutes.

SI cover 3/31/75 Freshman Rod Berry (Redwood) in SI

Faces In The Crowd -Sports Illustrated - March 31, 1975...

Freshman, Rod Berry joins the Redwood HS cross country team. By the end of the season, Rod is moved up to varsity (finishing as Redwoods 3rd man).

Soon after, 1/8/75, Rod breaks the 3M record for 14-year-olds with 15:03.8!
Previous record: '73 15:10.8 Tim Holmes (Downey), '72 15:18.3 Eric Hulst

 

- - - - - -

Spring - 1976
(L) Chuck & (R) Frank  Assumma ninth grade. Rod Berry Sophomore
The Assumma's as ninth graders -(L) Chuck ran 9:23.0 for 2M and (R) Frank raced to a 9:16.0 2M.

Rod Berry (Redwood) ran 9:09.4 for 2 miles as a sophomore(76). Top CA., 3rd best Soph Nationaly behind Scharsu & Graves.

*Rod was 10th @ CA state meet in 9:14.8!!

 

- - - - - -

Fall 1967 Fall - 1976
Jeff Nelson soph XC picture Nelson jogging Jeff Nelson Sophomore/Varsity Jeff Nelson Sophomore/Varsity

In the beginning of the school year (76), a sophomore goes out for cross country & makes the Varsity team for Burbank high school.

His name is Jeff Nelson.

 

Nov. 76 Rod Berry, the nation's best soph 3-Miler last fall/spring (14:35.0), came back to win the 2-Mile postal outright with a 9:04.6.

Tim Holmes (Downey) was the top 3M postal junior last fall with 14:12.2, (McChesney was tops outdoors in the spring).

Tim Holmes duels Rod Berry at 3M postal Holmes finishes ahead of Berry.

12/4/1976 - 3-Mile National Postal Meet

The top CA returnees & 14yr-old 3M rcd setters duelled @ West Valley College.

1) Holmes (Downey, Sr) .... 13:59.9
2) Berry (Redwood, Jr) ..... 14:00.3

 

Saturday - Jan 15, 1977 - Sunkist Indoor Track Meet - Los Angeles Sports Arena - Seeded Two-Mile

1) Rod Berry (Redwood) .............. 9:08.4
2) Frank Assumma (Eisenhower) ... 9:09.2

-- -- -- --

*Chuck Assumma (Eisenhower) was a close 3rd in the Two-Mile (Second Race) clocking 9:20.9.

 

 

1977 - Spring - Track

 

Jeff Nelson

Pre Season - Outdoor Debut

Fri., Feb., 18, - Dual - Burbank vs Servite
1) Greg Parks (Burbank) ....... 9:51
2) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ....... NT

Mile
1) Greg Parks (SR, Burbank) .......... 4:37

*Senior, Greg Parks is Burbanks top returning distance man (3rd man last year)

Fri., Feb., 25, - Dual - Burbank vs Notre Dame @ Notre Dame
Two-Mile
1) Bert Shirley (Soph, Notre Dame) .... 9:37
2) Jeff Nelson (Soph, Burbank) ........... 9:41
3) Greg Parks (SR, Burbank) ............... 9:44

Bert Shirley won the distance double
Mile
1) Bert Shirley (Soph, Notre Dame) .... 4:23.5

-- -- -- --

Sat., March 5, - Long Beach Relays
2M
2) Greg Parks (Burbank) ... 9:27
...
4) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ... 9:40 (after a 4:33 on previous day)

-- -- -- --

Season Opener

Thur., March 10, - Dual - Burbank vs Hart @ Burbank - **Outbreak of the Flu put 8 Bulldogs out of action.
2M
1) Parks ... 9:37
*Nelson - DNC, Flu?

-- -- -- --

Thur., March 17, - Dual -Burbank vs Canyon @ College of the Canyons
2M
1) Greg Parks (Burbank)...9:33.3
2) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ... NT

-- -- -- --

Thur., March 24, - Dual - Burbank vs Crescenta Valley - *Nelson - ? -
2M
1) Greg Parks (Burbank) ... 9:38.5

-- -- -- --

Sat., March 26, - Locke Invitational
2M
1) Greg Parks (Burbank) .... 9:51
2) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) .... 10:06

-- -- -- --

Thur., March 31, - Dual - Burbank vs Hoover @ Burbank - Bulldog Track
2M
1) Greg Parks (Burbank) .... 9:31.8
2) Terry Gibson (Hoover) ..... 9:46
3) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ....... NT

-- -- -- --

Sat April 2, Burbank Invitational - Bulldog Track - *Nelson - ? -

 

Sat., April 9, - San Jose Relays Mile:
Rod Berry was 3rd in 4:12.2 behind Mark Stillman (Willow Glen) who won in 4:11.54.
Stillman went on to become the CA state mile champion with his 4:06.9 (R).
(Three laps of race - LINK)

San Jose Relays Two-Mile
1) Frank Assumma (Soph, Eisenhower) ..... 9:11.69
2) Rod Berry (Jr, Redwood) ..................... 9:12.54

Mark Stillman CA State mile Champ '77

 

Thurs. April 14, - Dual - Burbank vs Blair @ Blair - *Nelson - ? -
2M
1) Jimenez (Blair) ........... 9:26.5
2) Greg Parks (Burbank) .... NT

-- -- -- --

** Coach Dave Kemp decides to drop his top varsity sophomores down.**

Thur. April 21, - Dual - Burbank vs Glendale
Burbank won the Sophomore meet 85-40, paced by the difficult triple of Jeff Nelson, who took the 880 in 2:05.5, the Mile in 4:40.0, and the Two-Mile in 10:10!!!

-- -- -- --

Thur. April 28 - Dual - Burbank vs Burroughs @ Burroughs
Burbank's top effort on the soph level is a 4:33.4 mile of Jeff Nelson, breaking a school record.
The old mark was 4:38.0 by Andre Duquette.
**This during a triple, Jeff was second in the 880 (NT) and 9:55.5 two-mile!

-- -- -- --

Tues., May 3, - Foothill League Prelims @ Burbank
Burbank two-miler Jeff Nelson set a Foothill League Soph Division record to highlight area performances.
Nelson clocked 9:39 (PB) in his specialty to win the only league final.
Jeff opened with a 4:50 mile and posted a 4:49 in the final mile.

-- -- -- --

Fri., May 6, - Foothill League Finals @ Burroughs
Burbank distance man, Jeff Nelson stood out against the Sophs.
Nelson, who set a league record at 9:39 in winning the two-mile finals earlier, made it a double with a hard charging 4:29.7 mile which approached Don Moses' 4:27.8 Foothill record while also beating the field by some 30 yards.

-- -- -- --

Fri May 13, - CIF Prelims @ Cerritos - Soph Division
Jeff Nelson is a top soph qualifier with a personal best (PB) 9:35.1!!

Ray Harrington Santa Monica HS-Soph

Fri May 20, - CIF Finals @ Cerritos - Soph Division

Jeff Nelson wins the sophomore two-mile in a PB 9:28.7. Nelson pulled away in the stretch to defeat runner-up Ray Harrington (L) of Santa Monica who clocked 9:29.4.
*Earlier, Harrington won the mile in 4:22.4!

End of season for Soph Division...

Jeff Nelson Sophomore Track

Fri May 20, - CIF Finals - Varsity

2M
1) Dave Daniels (San Gorgonio) .............. 9:00.3
2) Chuck Assumma (Soph, Eisenhower) .. 9:03.6
3) Frank Assumma (Soph, Eisenhower) ... 9:04.0
4) Steve Webb (Kennedy) ........................ 9:13.3

 

5/27- CIF Southern Section - Qualifying to State Meet - Varsity
2M
1) Steve Ortiz (Kennedy) ............................. 8:55.4
2) Chuck Assumma (Soph, Eisenhower) ..... 8:55.4
3) Steve Alvarez (Coachella Valley) ............ 8:57.5
4) Dave Daniels (San Gorgonio) ................. 8:58.6
5) Frank Assumma (Soph, Eisenhower) ...... 9:00.5

 

1977 CA State Meet 2M

6/4/77 - California State Meet - Drake Stadium (UCLA)

2 Mile: (L-R) Felix Elieff (Highland), Rod Berry, Tim Holmes (Downey) Chuck & Frank Assumma, Dave Daniels (San Gorgonio), Steve Ortiz (Kennedy), Steve Alvarez (Coachella Valley).

(R) Frank Assumma (Eisenhower) is the first sophomore to win the CA state 2 Mile ('77), edging Rod Berry (Redwood, a junior, Obscurred) 8:52.9 to 8:53.4. / Chuck was 6th.

**Chuck ran 8:55.4 at the sectionals!

Frank Assumma (Eisenhower) wins 2Mile!!

 

 


 

Fall - 1977
Assumma racing Gerhardt Jeff Nelson

Nelson (Junior year)

Cross Country (77)

Jeff starts by winning 3 races in 6 days.

Next, he sets 2 course records!! Kenny Staub and Verdugo Park (Above Pic).

Then there are 2 set backs, Jeff sits out to nurse a sore hip and then his first loss @ Mt Sac (6th).

(Above) John Gerhardt (Costa Mesa) upsets Chuck Assumma to win Mt. Sac / Frank was 12th

Nelson roars back with 2 more course records before his season is cut short.

Griffith Park and Verdugo Park (again) @ the Foothill league finals (Above Pic) then the Doctor orders Jeff to stay home and nurse his bad back.

Chuck and Frank Assumma

Chuck and Frank go 1 & 2 at Southern Section XC Finals -Large Schools 4A @ Mt. Sac.

Frank takes it (15:16), Chuck (15:24).

 

 

1978 - Indoors

The Assumma's and Berry tangle indoors at the Two Mile.

Building to a possible climactic showdown outdoors at the state meet...

Chuck, Rod and Frank Chuck and Frank

Jan 21, 1978 - Sunkist - Los Angeles - Invitational Seeded Two-Mile

Frank carried the pace (Mile 4:36.2) for 1½ M before fading (4th -9:12.4) while Chuck swept past Rod Berry in the last quarter to win.

1) Chuck Assumma ... 9:01.3
2) Rod Berry ............. 9:03.3

- - - - - - Sunkist - Rated Prep 2M - 2nd Heat - - - - - -

1) Dave Cangelosi (Villa Park) ........ 9:26.2
2) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ................. 9:26.9 (PB)

 

Chuck,  Frank and Rod Berry Rod Berry in front

Feb 18, 1978 - Examiner Indoor - Daly City - 2M

Rod Berry turned the tables on Sunkist conqueror Chuck Assumma in a slow race, 9:11.6 to 9:14.6. (Frank was 5th in 9:26.2).

 

 

Outdoors - Spring - Track - Junior Year '78

Pre Season - Outdoor Debut


Fri., Feb 24 -Dual - Burbank vs Notre Dame @ Notre Dame (Nelson's Bests: 4:27.8/9:26.8 for Mile/2M)Jeff Nelson Burbank junior
1) Jeff wins 2M in 9:49 THEN...

Phil Shirley won the mile
Mile:
1) Phil Shirley (Jr, Notre Dame) ........... 4:21.6
2) Jeff Nelson (Jr, Burbank) ............. 4:22.8 (PB)

-- -- -- --

Sat., Feb 25 - Burbank Mall Run - 5 Miles more than 900 runners
(The distance was actually 5.8 miles than the advertised Five).
16-18 Division
1) Nelson .... 29:45 (5:07 pace)!

-- -- -- --

Tues., March 7 - Dual - Crescenta Valley @ Crescenta Valley
Nelson - 4:25.6/9:37.5

-- -- -- --

Thurs., March 9 - Dual - Burbank vs La Canada @ La Canada
Nelson - 4:25.3/9:40.4

-- --- -- --

*Sat., March 11 - Long Beach Relays
Jeff wins his 5th race in a row running - 9:16.5 (PB) for the two-mile despite a string of nagging hurts.
*Jeff also runs 880 (1:59) in 2M relay.

-- -- -- --

Sat., March 18 - Burbank Invite @ Burbank
Jeff runs 4:20.2 to anchor winning Distance medley (10:38) and then runs/wins 2M 9:31.3.

-- -- -- --

Foothill League Opener
Thurs., March 30 - Dual - Burbank vs Hoover - DNC - **Jeff rests (Lower Back Spasms & Pains).

-- -- -- --

Thurs., April 6 - Dual - Burbank vs Monrovia
*Nelson still nursing a tender back tied in Mile - 4:40 (ties with teammate Linn Whatcott).

-- -- -- --

Sat., April 8 - Locke Invite - DNC - Jeff Rests (Strained Knee compounding back pain).

-- -- -- --

Thurs., April 13 - Dual - Burbank vs Glendale @ Glendale - DNC *Jeff Out
* * Jeff is informed that his X-Rays show a Stress fracture (right foot).
For now, the only training Nelson can do is one on a bicycle, which he rides through workouts of 10-15 miles a day. The rest of the time, it's no pressure on his toes, stay off it whenever possible and lots of whirlpool baths.

-- -- --

April 20 -Dual - Burbank vs Blair - DNC

-- -- -- --

April 22 - Glendale Relays - DNC - Seemingly out for the season...

 

 

Jeff does return to action for CIF.
Jeff's Road to the State Meet - 2M.

Thurs., April 27, Dual - Burbank vs Burroughs - Mile

Despite injury, Jeff Nelson (Burbank) runs mile only - wins in 4:27.1!

 

Fri., May 5, Foothill league finals - Mile & Two Mile

Jeff Nelson (Burbank) pulls off the distance double .... 4:26.5 & 9:33!!

 

Fri., May 12, CIF Prelims - Two Mile

Heat #1
1) Chuck Assumma (Eisenhower) ..... 9:07.47
2) John Spilman (Simi Valley) ......... 9:11.7
3) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ............................ 9:15.58 (PB)

 

Fri., May 19, CIF Southern Section Finals - Two Mile - In 94° heat.

1) Steve Webb (Kennedy) ....... 9:09.67
2) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ................. 9:09.87 (PB)
3) John Spilman (Simi Valley) ... 9:19.5

* It will be the final time Jeff would lose a two-mile to a prep.

Chuck Assumma (Eisenhower) did not run Sn Sect-Finals as he developed a stress fracture after doubling a 4:16.2 & 9:07.47 in the 4A prelims.

Nelson is edged out by Steve Webb

 

Fri., May 26, Southern Section Masters Meet - Two Mile - State Qualifying

1) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) .............. 9:06.5 (PB)
2) Joe Avila (Cantwell) ........ 9:06.5
3) Steve Webb (Kennedy) .... 9:08.0

* * * * * * * *

* * May 30 - Jeff Nelson is Healthy * *

 

Chuck Assumma (Eisenhower) With Chuck Assumma unable to run state 2M because of a stress fracture in his foot, Rod Berry (R, Redwood) was heavily favored. Rod Berry Redwood HS

 

Nelson edges Berry
Kevin Burkin (Burbank) Rod Berry wins IPI Invite Mark Conover wins Olympic Trials!

6/3/78 - CA State Meet - Two Mile

Jeff Nelson (junior) wins the first of two CA state 2 mile titles over the favorite Rod Berry. Berry is runner up for the second time: 8:59.28 to 8:59.33! Last 880-2:10, last lap-61.5 for both!!

3) Steve Webb .. 9:06.97
..
5) Mark Conover (Miramonte) . 9:08.75

Photo: Bill Leung, Jr.

Nelson broke the school record by 3.5 seconds. Kevin Burkin (above) ran 9:02.8 in '76.

It was also the first time Jeff went under 9 minutes.

6/17/78, Naperville, Ill., Berry dominated the International Prep Invite 2M.

He led early and was never challenged. He cruised in 9:12.7.

April 24, 1988, Jersey City, N.J.

Mark Conover, in his second marathon, scored a stunning victory in the U.S. Olympic Men's Marathon trials earning $50,000 & a ticket to the Seoul Games.

Conover won the 10,000 meters Division II title in 1981 and followed that up with the individual cross country title that fall for Humboldt State.

The $50,000 for first was (then) the largest cash prize in marathon history!

 

Rod Berry & Jeff Nelson 33yrs later...
FULLERTON, Calif. (July 9, 2011) -33 years after their epic CA State 2M battle, Rod Berry & Jeff Nelson reunite.

Photo: Rebecca Smith-Serna

 

 


 

---------------------------- Senior Year ----------------------------

Jeff Nelson is ready for cross country
Jeff Nelson is ready for cross country.

 

Jeff Nelson finishing Kenny Staub Invite

9/30 -Fun Run

Nelson (R) runs the 2.6-mile Glendale course in 11:21. (4:22 mile pace!)

10/7 @ Crescenta Valley Park, Kenny Staub Invite. Jeff Nelson races a 15:05 for 3-miles to shatter his own course record of 15:36 set last year (77). Calif. state mile champ Paul Medvin (University) is 30 seconds behind in second place! The two will meet again at the end of the month @ Mt Sac.

*Jeff would crush his own record again at CV Park... to 14:49!! (11/9 - Foothill League Finals).

 

Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Paul Medvin, at Pierce College, winning his second LA City title.

Walnut - Mt. San Antonio Cross Country Invitational - October 28, '78

An all star who's who -individuals and teams (Notably The Axemen from South Eugene and Mission San Jose from Northern CA) came to race on the famed CC layout at the Mt. Sac Invite that fall season.

Last year, Jeff Nelson started slow and was stuck behind the field and never able to pass on the narrow trails (Now widened) early on the course.

Not this time. The surprise 2-mile state champ over Rod Berry (Redwood) proved to be no fluke. Jeff went right to the fore -and then breaking away from defending CIF Champion Chuck Assumma (Eisenhower) and Paul Medvin (Above, University, at Pierce College) just before two-miles. The 2,000 fans were spellbound as Nelson came down poop-out hill all alone to victory in 14:32.2 -smashing the course record of John Gerhardt (Costa Mesa) by 24 seconds! Medvin finished a distant 2nd at 14:58.4 while Chuck Assumma is 3rd at 15:02.8 & Jeff Hess (South Eugene) is 4th with 15:15.

South Eugene (91) won the team title over Mission San Jose (125).

Steve Strangio and Rob Wentworth

Steve Strangio tracks Rob Wentworth (Livermore). Strangio led the Mission San Jose distance corps.

Wentworth would finish 3rd in the two-mile @ '79 CA state meet.

 

Jeff Nelson (R) & teammate Linn Whatcott (L) Jeff Nelson (R) and teammate Linn Whatcott (L)

 

Mack wins L.A. City Champs at Pierce CC

David Mack (Locke) ran 15:44 at Mt. Sac.

(Shown here winning L.A. City Champs @ Pierce CC)

Mack and Nelson took a recruiting trip to Oregon together.

 

Chuck Assumma Jeff Nelson

11/25/78 - Rains forced the CIF Southern Section Finals to be run on a course other than Mt. Sac's regular championships course.

Chuck Assumma and Jeff Nelson are in seperate races. Up first, Assumma (4A) throws down the gauntlet- 15:18, a course record for the makeshift rain course (3M) at Mt. Sac.

Not able to run CIF Finals last year with a back injury, Nelson (3A) answers with a 15:01.4!!

m


 

Indoors

January 6, 1979

(L-R) David Mack (Locke) took the Ali Indoor 1500 in 3:50.8 from Jeff Nelson (3rd-3:52.3), Medvin (4th-3:53.7), Jeff West (Crenshaw, 2nd-3:50.9) Chuck Assumma (behind Nelson, 5th-3:54.4) -Photo Don Chadez

Jan 20th -Sunkist Invite 2M

The start

In the mix: Downs, Nelson, Assumma & Ken Ernst (El Dorado, 9:02.2-2mi).

Photo: Steve Ernst

Sunkist cont'd

Mid-race

Chuck Assumma tries to hang on.

Sunkist

Finish.

Jeff Nelson was told at the gun lap he had 2 laps to go. Jeff then put on a tremendous kick only to have his kick cut short, his 8:55.1 won by 35 yards over Assumma.

Next Places:
2. Chuck Assumma ... 9:06.0
3. Tom Downs .......... 9:09.3
4. Ken Ernst .............. 9:09.5

Paul Medvin (University,LA) 2 time Calif. State mile champ & #1 miler in 79(4:05.3) second to Nelson at Mt. Sac./ Tom Downs (Skyline, Oakland) 2nd to Nelson state 2mile in "79" with 8:55.7.

 

 

Feb 3, 1979 - National Jr. X-Country Championships and International Team Trials(4.9m)............ Photos courtesy of Ken Ernst

Jeff Nelson and Dave Kemp, Burbank coach at Gainesville, FL for the race.This will be the last race in which Jeff would be in relative anynominity.

13 days later, Jeff would move up among the prep greats with the spectacular 8:42.7 for 2miles indoors.

The Start:

John Gregorek (Georgetown, frosh) uses his miler's speed to bolt to the front, running the first mile in 4:30, 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

Jeff Nelson

Close of start, angle on

Jeff Nelson (29)

Alan Scharsu (Penn State, frosh) leads the chase pack behind Gregorek. Never far behind is Herb Wills (Florida State). Wills was a 9:03.3 2-miler from Tallahassee, Leon HS in 78 ( 9:00.9 as a Jr)
Rod Berry (L, WVTC, Stanford, frosh) 2nd to Byrne in the trials last year and top American in the international race (10th) placed 18th behind Ken Ernst (R, #12, El Dorado HS) in 17th.

Florida State frosh, Herb Wills took control from Gregorek with surprising Virginia prep Jim Hill (Oakton). The trio pulled away... With ½ mile left, Hill surged into the lead; however, Wills makes a counter-move with ¼ left totally breaking Hill.

1) Wills 23:27 (4:47 pace!) (2) Hill 23:33

36th last year, Gregorek finishes strong for 3rd (23:36).

The next year, Gregorek will make the "80" Olympic team for the steeple.

Nelson nails 4th (23:39.1) ahead of Scharsu (23:39.4).

Nelson qualifies for the International XC race in Limerick, Ireland (March 25).

Wills' time is 19 seconds faster than Kevin Byrne's winning time from last year but conditions this day (Sunny, 68°), are much better than the 39° / 25 MPH winds and wet course of "78." Byrne edges Berry and Graves in '78.

 

 

Gerry Lindgren ran 8:40.0 indoors in 1964

Feb.16, 1979 - Jack in the Box meet

Nelson prefaced his stunning outdoor record with a superfine 8:42.7 indoors!!

1) S. Nyambui' (UTEP) .......... 8:21.2
2) R. Chapa (Oregon) ............. 8:25.7
3) L. Lawson (SMTC) ............ 8:30.0
4) D. Daniels (Irvine) .............. 8:40.9
5) S. Ortiz (Grossmont CC) .... 8:42.6
6) J. Nelson (Burbank HS) .... 8:42.
7!!

Gerry Lindgren

He set the indoor mark 8:40.0 in 1964.

 

 

Outdoors

Whatcott, Nelson & Andy DiConti Another first for Jeff Nelson

March 8, Duel Meet - Burbank VS La Canada @ Burbank - Present and future CA state 2M Champs tangle over half the distance.

Whatcott and Nelson are shadowed by Andy DiConti (La Canada) during the mile. At the end it was Nelson (R) stopping the clock at 4:20. Whatcott edged DiConti for second as both came in at 4:23. Earlier, Nelson won the 880 with little competition in 1:58.9.

 

 

1979 Official Programme Cover 1979 belt buckle

The
Limerick
Course

3 Laps
for Jr. Men

Limerick Cross Country Course  

March 25, 1979 - IAAF World Cross Country Championships @ Limerick, Ireland - Junior Men - 22,000 Spectators.

Limerick Photos Courtesy: Fionnbar Callanan -(Link)

Eddy de Pauw and Steve Binns Jeff Nelson & Jim Hill
The eventual winner, Belgium's Eddy de Pauw (14) and runner-up Steve Binns (31, Eng) have broken away from the field. de Pauw was the top returnee (9th) and ran a 13:39.77 for 5000m in 79 and Binns went 13:27.04 for same. After a bad start, Jeff Nelson (133) works his way up through the international field, with Jim Hill in close attendance. Here, Nelson and Hill near the top five in the chase pack.
Steve Cram Steve Cram
Steve Cram (33, Eng) is in the race. Steve has progressivley introduced double days after he ran 3:57.42 for the mile, breaking Jim Ryun's world age-17 record, last year!
Steve Cram (33, Eng) would eventually peg 36th place in 24:08.
Nelson leads Denikeyev (USSR) Jim Hill

150 yards to go, Nelson has worked his way to 3rd place but is out-mudded down the stretch by Ildar Denikeyev (143, USSR).

Nelson's 4th place led the U.S. team for 7th place.

Jim Hill finishes in 12th

Distance: 7.36km (= 4.57329 mi. OR 4 mi. and 1008.9 yd)

1) E. de Pauw (Belgium) ..... 23:02 (5:02 mile pace)
2) S. Binns (England) .......... 23:09
3) I. Denikeyev (USSR) ...... 23:20
4) J. Nelson (USA) ............. 23:22 (5:06 mile pace)
5) I. Clarke (Canada) .......... 23:29

The rest of the scoring USA team:
12) J. Hill (USA) .............. 23:37
24) H. Wills (USA) .......... 23:49
66) J. Gregorek (USA) .... 24:54

Non scoring USA team:
71) M. Sheely (USA) ..... 25:02
79) A. Scharsu (USA) .... 25:21

90 finishers.

Eddy dePauw leads Rod Berry

Glasgow, Scotland, March 25, 1978 .. Distance 7.36km

Eddy de Pauw (14, Belgium) was the top returnee placing 9th one second ahead of Rod Berry (USA) in 10th who led the American juniors. Kevin Dillon (R, Canada) kicked ahead of both to place 8th one second in front of de Pauw.

(Partial) RESULTS
1 Mick Morton (ENG) ... 22:57 (5:01 mile pace)
...
8 Kevin Dillon ....... 23:22
9 Eddy de Pauw ... 23:23
10 Rod Berry ....... 23:24 (5:06 mile pace)
Also in the race:
19th  Gelindo Bordin (ITA) .... 23:36
20th  Antonio Leitão (POR) ... 23:37
34th  Saïd Aouita (MAR) ....... 24:02

***It was de Pauw's third progressive appearance at WJXC, he was 25th at Düsseldorf in '77 (won by Thom Hunt).

 

 

Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson

Nelson leads Jeff West (Crenshaw) past a "Nelson banner."

Jeff Nelson and teammate Linn Whatcott.

Whatcott ran 4:16.9 / 9:01.9(mile/2mile).

Burbank Invite April 7

Nelson runs an 8:58 2-mile and then anchors the distance medley with a 4:13 mile.

Jeff runs 880/mile doubles in duel meets prior Pepsi, usually running 1:55/4:18 for the two races.

 

 

UCLA Pepsi Invite
Westwood, May 6, 1979 - Pepsi Two-Mile
Jeff Nelson at start of Pepsi two-mile Jeff Nelson obscurred in pack One lap to go -Jeff Nelson moves wide
Pepsi 2Mile -Starting off into history.
Jeff (Obscurred) is with the leaders.
Approaching the bell lap, Jeff moves wide to pass.
(He moved into 2nd place before falling back to 3rd)
Jeff Nelson in full flight during 2M record run
Bill Leung's iconic shot capturing Jeff Nelson in full flight during his 2M record race.

 

 

Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson starts in 2M Jeff Nelson

Sacramento, June 2, 1979 - CA State Meet

Jeff Nelson just prior start of 2M.

The race begins...

Finish:

1) Jeff Nelson (Burbank) ............. 8:47.35
2) Tom Downs (Skyline) ............... 8:55.65
3) Rob Wentworth (Livermore) ..... 9:00.45
4) Linn Whatcott (Burbank) ........... 9:05.9
5) Chuck Assumma (Eisenhower) ... 9:09.2
6) Ken Ernst (El Dorado) ................ 9:11.5
7) Fernando Balderas (San Jose) ..... 9:13.5
8) Jay Marden (MSJ) ....................... 9:16.
9

Tom Downs Skyline HS Tom Downs leads vs Oregon Tom Downs and Roy Kissin at 84 Olympic Trials
8th last year, Tom Downs joins the sub-9:00 club in finishing second at the CA state 2-Mile.
Downs (Cal Berkeley) thwarts an Oregon sweep @ 5,000m, '82.
Downs (402, Cal Berkeley) at the '84 Olympic trials (5,000m).

 

 

8/25/79 - SPAAU Jr vs Japan Jr @ Westwood - 5,000 meters

1) Jeff Nelson (USA, Burbank) ... 14:15.5
...
4) Chuck Assumma (USA, Eisenhower) .... 14:58.8

**(Teammate Linn Whatcott (Burbank) was a non-scoring 2nd in the race).

 

 

Assumma and Nelson Jeff Nelson running Pepsi 2M Jeff Nelson

Nelson vs Assumma

Nelson might have challenged his recent 2-mile HSR if the early pace not been so slow(4:30.66, for record purposes). Nelson sped a 4:18.4 second mile with Chuck Assumma dogging him. On the final lap, Assumma tried to pass on the backstretch but Nelson held him off and then Jeff kicked away to victory, 110 yards out. 8:49.06 to 8:52.4.

PEPSI   Invitational

Nelson chops a huge 4.6 seconds off Craig Virgin's 6 year-old, 8:40.9 mark (73) and finally surpasses Gerry Lindgren's indoor 8:40.0 of 1964.

Nelson stayed near the back of the field through the mile(4:17.8). His pace dropped a bit(66.2, 66.8). With a half-mile to go, Jeff stepped up the tempo to 64.4 and was 6th at the bell. A 61.1 last lap gave him 3rd place and the record (8:36.3).

Nelson did it all in the fall.

He ran 14 cross country races...won them all and set 14 course records !!

That includes the famed Mt Sac Invite (14:32). Nelson's quickest victory was 14:01 on a 3 mile course through and around Monrovia High School.

 

 

Jim Hill (Oakton, VA) & Jeff Nelson go to Oregon. Both were two of the most widely recruited prep distance runners in the nation (79). Hill ran an 8:47.8 for 2-miles & 4:11.4 for the mile.

Art Boileau (1) & Nelson (8)

Photo: Joe Volk

Nelson settles behind

Sam Kimombwa (WSU): WR holder for 10,000m (27:30.5) in 77 before Rono smashed it in 78 with his 27:22.5.

Jeff Nelson (8) moves out to pass Greg Erwin (4) & Kimombwa (WSU).

Photo: Joe Volk

 

 

Jeff Nelson
Jeff Nelson

Jeff Nelson @ Pac 10

PEPSI   Invitational

Westwood, May 6, 1979

Nelson rips an eye-opening 8:36.3 for a full 2 miles!!

Photo: Bill Leung, Jr.

Stats:

4:17.8 & 4:18.5.

Slowest lap-6th-66.8, fastest- last lap 61.1!

Jeff's previous best was 8:58 @ Burbank Invite. (Although, Jeff ran 8:42.7 indoors in Feb.)

Nelson (Glendale)

Cross Country & Track

 

 

November 1980 - Junior College Cross Country CA State Meet - Griffith Park
Jeff Nelson at start Glendale Community College sensation Jeff Nelson is just getting started.
Jeff Nelson wins JC CA State XC

Jeff is all alone at the end to win the individual title (small-schools race).

Nelson led the Vaqueros to the state cross-country team title.

Jeff Nelson wins JC CA State XC Winner Jeff Nelson

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