Athlete of the Year - Best of 2009

In 2009 Galen Rupp gave us one of the most dominating years collegiate track and field has seen. After winning his last xc race and first xc title in the Fall of '08, Rupp continued his winning ways by making breakthroughs, setting records, and winning championships. Through the indoor season Rupp had a goal of working on his speed and he did just that. Competing out of his normal distances Galen set PRs in the 800 of 1:49 and 3:57 for the mile. In the process he also set a new Indoor American Record at 5000 meters with his 13:18 at Tyson, a race where he just finished ahead of collegiate rival Sam Chelanga. Arguably Galen's greatest feat of season though was his performance at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Galen once again raced Chelanga where he won his first NCAA track title. About an hour or so later he stepped on the track again to anchor the Oregon DMR. He battled Arkansas's Dorian Ulrey and Cal's Michael Coe through the first 7 laps of the leg and then surprised everyone when he unleashed a kick that dusted the field to give him his second of three title on the weekend (he destroyed the field in the 3k the next day). Galen led Oregon to the Indoor Team Title. Galen went on to win exciting 5k and 10k titles at the NCAA Outdoor Championship later that spring. In his last appearance at Hayward Field with his Duck's jersey Rupp put on a show for the crowd to win the USA 10k Championship, his first US title. After a long year and many races, Galen made the World Championship final where he placed 8th among the world's best. We really enjoyed the epic battles and new levels that Galen reached this past year, there is a lot in this guy and we'll be seeing some great things from him in 2010.