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Athlete Bio

Rick Wohlhuter

Basic Information

Status: Hall of Fame Gender: Male Date of Birth: 12/23/1948

Athletics Information

Event: Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field Agent: N/A

Residences

Hometown: Geneva, IL College: University of Notre Dame

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Athlete Profile

The top American half miler of the mid-1970s, Rick Wohlhuter was a two-time Olympian and the last American man to qualify for the Games in both the 800 and 1500m events. A Notre Dame graduate, Wohlhuter won the IC4A 880-yard title in 1971 and in 1972 qualified for his first Olympic team. A fall in the 800m heats at Munich cost him a chance for a medal. Between Olympics, the 5' 9", 130-pound Wohlhuter broke the U.S. record for the 800 meters on two occasions and twice set world records for the 880-yard event. He added a world record for the 1,000 meters in 1974, beginning a three-year lock on the U.S. indoor 1,000-yard title. Wohlhuter also won national outdoor 800m titles in 1973 and 1974. His great 1974 season earned him the Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete. In 1976, he qualified for the Olympics in both the 800 and 1,500 meters. At Montreal, Wohhuter took a bronze in the 800 and placed sixth in the 1,500. He later became a salesman and financial consultant.

Records Held

World Record: 880 yd. - 1:44.10 (June 8, 1974 - )
American Record: 800 m - 1:43.90

Championships

1976 Olympics: 800 m (3rd)
1976 Olympics: 1,500 m (6th)
1973 USA Outdoors: 800 m (1st)
1974 USA Outdoors: 800 m (1st)
1971 IC4A: 880 yd. (1st)

Occupations

Salesman
Financial consultant

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