Track Duo Teams Up To Succeed

By: Mike Barnhart

Posted: 5/2/08

The success of any high-level track athlete hinges on their ability to get the most out of every training session they have. To accomplish this feat, the athlete must be focused and motivated every time he laces up his running shoes. Although this may seem like a tall order given the amount of training time track athletes put in, it comes easy for Mike Rutt and Brian Gagnon.

The main reason these two distance runners can maintain their focus day in and day out is that they have each other. Not only did both Rutt and Gagnon earn All-American honors during the indoor season, but they earned it in the same event. Everyday one of these guys goes out to practice they know the other is going to be right next to them and neither guy wants to be out worked.

"It absolutely has an effect, we push each other every practice," Gagnon said.

Both athletes believe that because of the other, they have exceeded their own limits.

"I've always worked hard, but running with Brian has definitely gotten me to the next level," Rutt said.

The rapport between Rutt and Gagnon reached its peak during the New England championship meet back in early March. After the first set of heats in the 800-meter run Gagnon ran an NCAA qualifying time. Rutt on the other hand came up short of the mark and only had one more chance to qualify. Instead of using the remainder of the meet to rest, Gagnon stepped up to the starting line in Rutt's final heat and set the pace for Rutt to run a NCAA qualifying time.

"I knew he was capable of doing it, and I wanted to help him get there," Gagnon said.

Two weeks later, both Rutt and Gagnon were at the NCAA Championships earning All-American honors in the 800.

Rutt and Gagnon both stopped short of saying that they try to top one another on the track, however they both agreed that there is a "natural competitiveness" that takes over at times. The success has carried over into the outdoor season with both athletes having strong outings each week. Gagnon has three wins in the six meets he has competed in and Rutt has been solid with two top five finishes in those same meets.

Rutt, a native of Sinking Springs, Pa., has already made his mark on the UConn track team in the first two years of his career. He has finished second in the Big East in the indoor 800 meter run twice. Rutt also has a New England championship in the 800 under his belt.

Rutt ended up at UConn after being courted by number of different schools to play soccer. Rutt was impressed by head coach Greg Roy's program and the education that the university had to offer so he decided to stay on the track.

"I like that we are always getting invited to compete all over the country," Rutt. "It's exciting to be able to compete against the best out there."

Massachusetts has produced a long line of great UConn athletes. Between 2004 and 2006, Logan Jones and Joel Legare were both All-Americans on the track for the Huskies. These two are from the same area as Gagnon and they were also standouts in the 800 meter race. One day Gagnon's high school coach received a call from Roy during which coach Roy told him that he wanted Gagnon to follow in the footsteps of Jones and Legare. When Gagnon heard about the call, his mind was made up. He was going to UConn.

"I wanted to keep the tradition and live up to the standard that those guys set here," Gagnon said.

Gagnon has done a terrific job of doing that to this point in his UConn career. The junior has already been an All-American and he has been at the front of the pack in just about all of his races this spring.

Rutt and Gagnon's work as a tandem has not gone unnoticed by their coach either. Roy has seen both athletes make huge strides since stepping on the UConn campus.

"They are both hard workers and have been progressing well together," Roy said.

In a sport that has so much individuality about it, two track athletes have found a way to gain an edge by working as a team.

Both Rutt and Gagnon will have the chance to play a huge role in another UConn championship this weekend at the Big East Championships. They also hope to qualify for the NCAA Championships again and to make a run at being All-Americans again.

Contact Mike Barnhart at Michael.Barnhart@UConn.edu.