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Ryan Friese - A Tale of Two Mr. Millers

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Contributed by: Jack Anthony on 7/12/2008

This is a story of influence and impact. How a little boy was encouraged to pursue his gift and passion for running and propel it into a remarkable college running career that isn't over yet! Here's the key players in this story. Ryan Friese is a long time Pikes Peak Road Runner member, a 2006 Rampart High School graduate, and an 800M speedster on the Colorado State University track and field team. Geoff Miller was (still is!) a PE teacher at Pioneer Elementary School celebrating his 23rd year as a professional educator...way to go Geoff! Larry Miller was (still is!) a running race director and innovator for giving everyone a chance to have fun running in Peak Peak Road Runner sponsored events like the Fall Series adventure races. This is the story of how Geoff aimed Ryan towards Larry and how Larry helped Ryan set a course to soar as a college runner. This is a tale of two Mr. Miller's influence on a neat kid named Ryan, and is a success story that can be played out again and again at by taking the time to show interest and take time to cheer on and motivate the great kids who step up to sports like running.

Ryan's journey to his prominence in NCAA Division I track started as a first grader at Pioneer Elementary School where he showed quite a talent as a long distance runner in the school's field day. Pioneer's PE teacher Geoff Miller vectored Ryan to competitive events. Pike Peak Road Runner's Larry Miller also took notice and informed Ryan and his parents Kurt and Lydia that Pikes Peak Road Runners was instituting a Kids' Series in the Fall Series of adventure races and that Ryan might enjoy participating. Well, not only did Ryan enjoy it, he thrived and had a blast. Geoff and Larry ignited Ryan's passion for running. Ryan attended Rampart High School where he found the triple jump and sprints to be his best events. The Colorado State Rams courted Ryan to join the Rams as a triple jumper and 400M ace.

It was during Ryan's freshman indoor track season that the middle distance door was opened to Ryan ironically due to an injury. Ryan first gave the 800M a try at the CSU Green and Gold inter-squad meet. Ryan's coaches felt a slight muscle twinge might be aggravated if he ran the 400M, but the 800M would be fine so Ryan ran the 800M that meet as a workout. Well, Ryan opened the eyes of the distance coach, his sprints and jumps coaches, and teammates as he showcased a brilliant 800M performance. Seems a fabulous middle distance runner was hiding in this pretty good triple jumper. Ryan would go on to earn the bronze medal in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) indoor 800M and then place second in the MWC outdoor 800M losing by a whisker to AFA's Kevin Hawkins (who is now a 2Lt in your USAF!). In addition to all this 800M "wow," Ryan was also informed by Coach Bryan Berryhill that "we'll see you in fall cross country." Be looking for junior Ryan Friese to step up to the CSU Rams XC program with the same vigor and dedication he tackled Pikes Peak Road Runner fun runs as a little kid!

Ryan is a great example of how encouraging parents, mentors like Mister Miller's and a club like Pikes Peak Road Runners can help a youngster find their niche and passion for running and develop it. The encouragement of a dedicated PE teacher (Geoff) and then more motivation from of former NCAA running great (Larry) was the spark that got Ryan well on his way. That mentorship, combined with parents who encouraged and brought Ryan to fun run events, was the key to Ryan's ever improving talents and success at the college athletic level. Did I also mention Ryan is double majoring in Computer Science and Engineering?

So, the next time you are at a kid's sports event like a fun run, pick out one of the many, many youngsters taking part and cheer them on and help them soar. Be a Mister Miller! Encourage and ignite a kid's running passion and who knows, you may set them on a course that will discover their talent and maybe even help them pay their way through college. Go Rams...Go Ryan!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Jack Anthony

Colorado Springs , CO

Jack Anthony has posted 18 stories and 1 comment since joining on 6/12/2007. Jack Anthony 's average story rating is 5.

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