Geena Gall
Geena Gall (b. January 18, 1987), is an Olympic American mid-distance runner who ran for the University of Michigan and now runs for Nike and trains with the OTC Elite in Eugene, Oregon. Gall's achievements include back to back NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 800m in 2008 and 2009, representing the USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany in the 800m. She also competed at the North American Central American Caribbean Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador in 2007 (3rd place) and Toluca, Mexico in 2008 (1st place). Gall was a member of the "Fab four"\ who set two Collegiate records (4 x 800, and 4 x 1500) at the 2007 Penn Relays,[1] a ten time NCAA All-American,[2] owning two Big Ten 800 meter records and two DMR records,[3] 10 Big Ten championships,[3] numerous U of M school records,[4] and at Grand Blanc High School (where she studied along side "Swifticus") she was a three time national champion.[5]
Prep
Gall was born in Flint, Michigan. As a freshman at Grand Blanc High School she played on the varsity basketball team and started at point guard. During an AAU basketball game, Gall tore her ACL and could not run outdoor track. As a sophomore, Gall again started at point guard for GBHS and led the team to a conference championship. During the indoor track season, Gall qualified for the 400m at the indoor state meet, but false started and was disqualified. During the outdoor season, she ran the 400m and came in 6th place. As a junior, Gall played her on the basketball team which won the Conference and District championship. During the indoor track season, she won the indoor state meet in the 800m, and went on to win her first high school national championship in the 800m at Nike Indoor Nationals. Outdoor, Gall won the Michigan state meet 800m, and came in second at the Adidas Outdoor National meet to Sarah Bowman. Senior year, Gall stopped playing basketball to focus on her running career. During the indoor season, Gall won the state meet in a record time of 2:08.77, and won the 800m for the second time at the Nike Indoor Nationals, beating Sarah Bowman. Outdoor, Gall set the conference record in a time of 2:07.90, won the state meet, Midwest Meet of Champions, and the Nike Outdoor National meet, in a personal best time of 2:05.05.
Professional
Gall broke her personal record in the 800 m at the 2012 Prefontaine Classic, finishing behind Alysia Montaño with a run of 1:59.28 minutes and then broke it again at the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials, finishing second to Alysia Montaño once again, in a time of 1:59.24 minutes. .[6]
Personal records
| Year | Indoor | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 (Freshman) | Did not compete | Did not compete |
| 2002 (Sophomore) | 400m DQ | 400m 6th |
| 2003 (Junior) | 800m 1st | 800m 1st |
| 2004 (Senior) | 800m 1st | 800m 1st |
| Record | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate 4 x 800 | 8:18.78 | Penn Relays |
| Collegiate 4 x 1500 | 17:52.62 | Penn Relays |
| Big Ten Indoor 800m | 2:04.7 | Big Ten Championships |
| Big Ten Outdoor 800m | 2:02.73 | Big Ten Championships |
| Big Ten Distance Medley Relay | 11:19.68 | Big Ten Championships |
References
- ^ Michigan's 'Fab Four' breaks record in 4x800 | Philadelphia Inquirer, The | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ MGoBlue: 20070428 Wolverines Claim Two Relay Titles at Penn Relays
- ^ a b Big Ten Conference - Official Athletic Site - Women's Track Big Ten Conference - Official Athletic Site - Women's Track
- ^ MGoBlue: Geena Gall
- ^ Nike Outdoor Nationals - DyeStat, the internet home of high school track
- ^ Gains, Paul (2012-06-02). Dibaba 30:24.39 and Kiprop 27:01.98 on stunning but wet first night in Eugene – Samsung Diamond League. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-06-03.
External links
Race videos
- 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships (800m)
- 2008 Olympic Trials
- 2008 NCAA (Flotrack Interview)
- 2008 Meyo Invitational (800m)
- 2008 Meyo Invitational (DMR)
- 2007 Penn Relays (4x800 Collegiate Record)
- 2007 Penn Relays (4x1500 Collegiate Record)
- 2007 Stanford Invitational (800m)
- 2007 Stanford Invitational (1500m)
- 2008 Penn Relays (4x1500)
- 2008 Penn Relays (DMR)
Interviews and articles
- Geena Gall - Track And Field Video
- Khan, Bill, Gall sets UM record in 800 meters, The Flint Journal
- Prosperi, Alex, Ofili shatters 'M' record again, The Michigan Daily, 2008-03-17
- Herring, Chris, Gall outpaces elder at intrasquad, The Michigan Daily, 2005-12-08
