Bob Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Robert Tomlinson "Bob" Wheeler, III (January 11, 1952 – November 2010) was an American
athlete in track & field who specialized in the mile. Born in Timonium, Maryland, he went to Dulaney High School
in Baltimore County, Maryland
, and attended Duke University
. He represented the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics
in Munich
, where he ran the 1500 metres
. He is still the Duke record holder at the mile (indoor), the 1500 metres (outdoor), and the 1000 metres (indoor), records he ran between 1971 and 1973.
Champion in the mile in 1971 and 1973, with winning times of 4:05.9 and 4:03.2. He won ACC
titles in cross country
and indoor and outdoor track. In 1971, he won the 1000 metres event at the Millrose Games
, the oldest athletics invitational in the United States, and at least until 2004 was the only Duke athlete to win at the Millrose Games.
Wheeler is still the fastest miler in Duke history, having run 3:39.00 on the 1500 metres outdoor in 1972. His indoor record of 4:00.70, which he set in 1973, is almost 4 seconds faster than the second-best Duke time, 4:04.21, run by Cory Nanni in 2009.
He also holds the Duke record at 1000 metres indoor at 2:22.20 (1971) and the record in the 4x mile relay at 16:22.34 (1973), and has the second-best time at the 800 metres outdoor at 1:47.70 (1972). In 2002 he was voted, as one of 50, into the ACC's 50th anniversary team for indoor track and field.
. On the first day in Oregon, Wheeler impressed with the best time, 3:42.7, though favorite Jim Ryun
went on to win the title.
Before the actual Olympics started, there was considerable controversy over the proposed participation of Southern Rhodesia
; in the weeks before the Olympics, a number of African countries (including Kenya
, home of later 1500 metres Gold medal winner Kip Keino) threatened to withdraw from the event. The American track and field delegation composed a statement asking the International Olympic Committee
to reconsider their decision to invite the former British colony; Wheeler spoke out in support of the African athletes who threatened to withdraw: "Everyone is in sympathy with this situation. It's going to be a matter of individual conscience what each is going to do."
In Munich, Wheeler reached the semifinals in the 1500 metres, a competition which proved disastrous for the American delegation after Jim Ryun, one of America's best milers ever, fell during qualifications. Like Dave Wottle
, the other remaining American, Wheeler failed to make it through his heat; it was the first time since 1956, and only the second time ever, that the 1500 final was run without an American in it.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete in track & field who specialized in the mile. Born in Timonium, Maryland, he went to Dulaney High School
Dulaney High School
Dulaney High School is a secondary school in Timonium, Baltimore County, Maryland. The school serves a generally middle- to upper-middle class suburban community, with students from Timonium and surrounding areas in Baltimore County. Dulaney is a Blue Ribbon School and ranked #259 nationwide in...
in Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County, Maryland
Baltimore County is a county located in the northern part of the US state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 805,029. It is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Towson. The name of the county was derived from the barony of the Proprietor of the Maryland...
, and attended Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. He represented the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, where he ran the 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
. He is still the Duke record holder at the mile (indoor), the 1500 metres (outdoor), and the 1000 metres (indoor), records he ran between 1971 and 1973.
College career
Wheeler attended Duke between 1971 and 1973. He won the 1,000-yard run at the 1971 NCAA Indoor Championships (his 2:07.4 was an NCAA championship record until 1976) and was ACCAtlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Champion in the mile in 1971 and 1973, with winning times of 4:05.9 and 4:03.2. He won ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
titles in cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
and indoor and outdoor track. In 1971, he won the 1000 metres event at the Millrose Games
Millrose Games
The Millrose Games is an annual indoor athletics meet held on the first Friday in February in New York City. They will be held at the Armory in Washington Heights in 2012, after having taken place in Madison Square Garden from 1914 to 2011...
, the oldest athletics invitational in the United States, and at least until 2004 was the only Duke athlete to win at the Millrose Games.
Wheeler is still the fastest miler in Duke history, having run 3:39.00 on the 1500 metres outdoor in 1972. His indoor record of 4:00.70, which he set in 1973, is almost 4 seconds faster than the second-best Duke time, 4:04.21, run by Cory Nanni in 2009.
He also holds the Duke record at 1000 metres indoor at 2:22.20 (1971) and the record in the 4x mile relay at 16:22.34 (1973), and has the second-best time at the 800 metres outdoor at 1:47.70 (1972). In 2002 he was voted, as one of 50, into the ACC's 50th anniversary team for indoor track and field.
1972 Olympic appearance
Qualifiers for the 1500 metres race at the Olympics were held at the National Collegiate Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, OregonEugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
. On the first day in Oregon, Wheeler impressed with the best time, 3:42.7, though favorite Jim Ryun
Jim Ryun
James Ronald Ryun is an American former track athlete and politician, who was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1996 to 2007, representing the 2nd District in Kansas. In the 2006 election, Ryun was defeated by Democratic challenger Nancy Boyda...
went on to win the title.
Before the actual Olympics started, there was considerable controversy over the proposed participation of Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
; in the weeks before the Olympics, a number of African countries (including Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, home of later 1500 metres Gold medal winner Kip Keino) threatened to withdraw from the event. The American track and field delegation composed a statement asking the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
to reconsider their decision to invite the former British colony; Wheeler spoke out in support of the African athletes who threatened to withdraw: "Everyone is in sympathy with this situation. It's going to be a matter of individual conscience what each is going to do."
In Munich, Wheeler reached the semifinals in the 1500 metres, a competition which proved disastrous for the American delegation after Jim Ryun, one of America's best milers ever, fell during qualifications. Like Dave Wottle
Dave Wottle
David James Wottle is a former American athlete. He is the winner of the 800 meter run at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He is perhaps, however, best known for wearing a golf cap while running....
, the other remaining American, Wheeler failed to make it through his heat; it was the first time since 1956, and only the second time ever, that the 1500 final was run without an American in it.