LOPEZ LOMONG

Event: 1,500m
Height: 5-11
Weight: 148
PR: 800m 1:45.58 (2008); 1,500m 3:32.94 (2009); Mile 3:53.35 (2009)
Born: January 1, 1985 in Kimotong, Sudan
Current Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
High School: Tully (N.Y.) HS '04
College: Northern Arizona Univ. '09
Coach: John Hayes
Agent: Peter Stubbs
Club: Unattached

Career Highlights: 2009 USA Outdoor 1,500m champion; 3rd at 2008 Olympic Trials in 1,500m; 2007 NCAA Outdoor 1,500m champion; 2007 NCAA Indoor 3,000m champion; 3rd at 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships

Lomong won his first career USA Outdoor title when he finished first in the men’s 1,500 at the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships in 3:41.68. Later that summer he finished eighth in the final at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. He ended the 2009 season after posting personal bests in both the 1,500m (3:32.94) and mile (3:53.35). The U.S. delegation flag bearer during the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Lomong has overcome an overwhelming array of obstacles in becoming a top American middle distance runner. When he was 6 years old, in 1991, his family fled Kimotong, Sudan, on foot to avoid an attack by the militia group, the Janjaweed. Lomong and his family ran for three days in the African wilderness to avoid the attackers. After being separated from his family upon arrival at the Sudan-Kenya border, he lived in a refugee camp run by Catholic missionaries for 10 years. Despite being separated from his family as one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan”, Lomong says he is considered one of the lucky children as thousands of boys drowned, were eaten by wild animals or were shot by military forces. An essay that he wrote in 2001 about what he would strive to accomplish if he lived in America prompted officials to give him that chance. Lomong was moved to the U.S. to live with a foster family in Tully, N.Y., and became one of the 3,800 resettled youngsters known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan.”  Lomong became a U.S. citizen in July, 2007, while becoming a star middle distance runner at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.  He enjoyed his best year in 2007, winning the NCAA Indoor 3,000m title in upsetting two-time NCAA champion Chris Solinsky in 7:49.74, and taking the NCAA Outdoor men’s 1,500m crown in 3:37.07. He set a personal best and an NAU school record of 1:45.79 in placing fifth in the 800 meters at the 2007 AT&T USA Track and Field Championships, and he was named NCAA Mountain Region Male Track Athlete of the year by the USTFCCCA. Lomong, who turned pro after the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships, says his dream is to represent the USA in international competition, his way to thank those who have helped him. "I came to this country without expecting anything," said Lomong to USA TODAY. "Now I want to return the favor by being a good runner." Away from the track, Lomong, who enjoys hip hop music, is studying hotel management because he hopes to return to Africa to help revitalize the continent's tourism. He also wants to assist families confronted with multiple challenges in his home country.

2009: 1st at USA Outdoors (3:41.68)...8th at World Outdoors (3:37.62)...4th at adidas Track Classic (3:39.21)...7th at Monaco (3:32.94PR)...3rd at London (3:53.35PR)...ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN...bests of 3:32.94, 3:53.35.
2008: 12th in semifinals at Olympic Games (3:41.00)…3rd at Olympic Trials in 1,500m (3:41.00)…5th at Olympic Trials in 800m (1:45.58)…5th at Nike Prefontaine Classic (3:53.97)…4th at adidas Track Classic (3:36.36PR)…ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN...bests  of  3:36.36 & 3:53.97.
2007: NCAA Outdoor 1,500m champion (3:37.07PR)…NCAA Indoor 3,000m champion (7:49.74)…5th at USA Outdoor Champs (1:45.79PR)…3rd at NCAA D-I Cross Country Champs (29:45)…ranked #3 in U.S. at 1,500m/Mile by T&FN…bests of 1:45.79, 3:37.07.
2006: 4th at NCAA Cross Country Champs (30:59)…best of 1:47.00.

 

12/28/09