ELVA DRYER
Events: Middle distance
Height: 5-5
Weight: 115
PRs: 1500m - 4:10.02 (1998); 3000m - 8:46:09 (2001); 5000m - 15:03.56 (2001)
Born: September 26, 1971, in Durango, Colo.
Current Residence: Albuquerque, N.M.
High School: Durango HS (Colo.) '90
College: Western State College (Colo.) '96
Coach: Russ Dryer
Agent: Kim McDonald Management
Club: Nike

Career Highlights: 3rd in 5,000m at 2001 U.S. Outdoors and 2000 Olympic Trials; 2001, 1998 4K Cross Country runner-up; 1998 U.S. Indoor 3000 champ; 7-time NCAA Division II track and cross country champion.

Since winning her first US title indoors in the 3,000m in 1998, Dryer has improved steadily and is now one of America's most consistent top runners. She had a strong 2001, with personal bests at 3,000 and 5,000m and an American best on the roads for 4 miles. Dryer started running because her older brother was a high school cross country star: 'My coach was always trying to get our brothers and sisters out for the team because he figured it was in the genes.' She ran 2:20 for 800 and 5:29 (1600) as a prep...as a senior, she ran the 3200 at state: 'I was so far back I lost count of what place I was after a while'...at Western State she started to realize her potential: 'My high school coach said he saw it in me. The potential was there. I just needed to put in the work.'...She is the only athlete to win four NCAA Division II titles at 3000m...in 1991, she married Russ Dryer, a former All-America cross country runner for Western State, and he has coached her ever since: 'He's a great training partner for me; he's stronger. He has a lot to do with my improvement, the one-on-one coaching, and him being my biggest fan.'...In her spare time, she spends time with her family, crocheting, and reading ...Maiden name Martinez.

2002: 2^nd at USA 15k Champs (48:50) 3^rd in 8 km at USA XC Champs (26:51) 28^th at World Cross 8 km (28:27)helped Team USA to silver medal performance.
2001: 3rd in 5,000m at USA Outdoors (15:11.76)ran PR 15:03.56 for 5,000m at Bislett Games 2nd at 4k XC Champs (12:49.6) 38th at World Cross Country 4k (16:05) 3rd in 3000m at Prefontaine Classic (8:46.09PR) set American road best for 4 miles at Michael Forbes Trolley Run April 29 in Kansas City (19:40)won U.S. 10k road title (32:43) ranked #7 at 1500m, #5 at 3000m, #3 at 5000m in U.S. by T&FNbests of 4:10.28, 8:46.09 and 15:03.56.
2000: 3rd at Olympic Trials 5,000 with a 15:12.07...11th in 1st round 5,000m heat at Olympics (15:23.99)...ranked #3 in 5000 and #6 in 1500 in U.S. by T&FN...bests of 4:10.68, and 15:09.19.
1999: 3rd in 5,000 at USA Outdoors (15:27.26) ...17th in heats at World Champs (16:15.70)... bests of 4:11.56, 8:58.10 and 15:27.26.
1998: 2nd in USA 4K XC Trials...won 3000 (8:58.87 PR) at USA Indoor...8th at World 4km XC Champs...3rd in 1500 (4:11.45) at adidas/Oregon Classic...4th in 1500 (4:10.02 PR) at USA Outdoors...10th in 5000 at Rome GP (15:17.37 PR)...9th in mile (4:31.12 PR) at Goodwill Games... 6th in 3000 (9:04.27) at Edwardsville GP...ranked #5 in U.S. at 1500 and 3000 by T&FN...bests of 4:10.02, 8:58.87 and 15:17.37.
1997: 4th in 5000 (15:47.90) at USA Outdoors...15th at USA XC Champs...ranked #5 in U.S. by T&FN...bests of 4:10.79, 9:13.22 and 15:32.39.
1996: 2nd in 800 (2:09.79) and mile (4:39.41) at NCAA D-II Indoor...won 1500 (4:21.03) and 3000 (9:23.14) at NCAA D-II...8th in 5000 (15:55.82) at Olympic Trials...5th at USA XC Champs...bests of 4:17.33, 9:08.82 and 15:42.23.
1995: 3rd in 1500 (4:24.92) at NCAA D-II Indoor...won 3000 (9:22.03), 3rd in NCAA D-II 800 (2:09.94)...13th in 5000 at USA Outdoors (16:05.84)...15th at 5000 in World University Games (16:38.54)...9th in USA XC Champs...bests of 4:21.75, 9:10.41 and 15:59.01.
1994: Won 3000 in NCAA D-II (9:23.39)...won NCAA D-II XC...14th in USA XC Champs... bests of 4:24 and 9:13.88.
1993: Won 3000 (9:42.20), 4th in 1500 (4:32.70) in NCAA D-II...won NCAA D-II XC...bests of 4:32.70 and 9:30.45.
1992: 2nd in NCAA D-II XC.
1991: Injured.
1990: 11th in NAIA XC.

11/13/02