2008 Woodie Awards
Track Duo Teams Up To Succeed
Mike Barnhart
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Sports
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.
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.
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