Two- Time Olympian Andy Wheating '06 to Visit on Monday, December 3
Two-time Olympian and KUA alumnus Andrew “Andy” Wheating '06 will address the Kimball Union Community on Monday, December 3, 2012 as part of the school’s “Bicentennial Speaker Series.”
Andy first played soccer at KUA until his coach, Scrib Fauver, recognized his running talent and encouraged him to consider running cross-country. Wheating was an immediate success and went undefeated his senior year. Later that year he was introduced to renowned track coach, Jeff Johnson of Lebanon, NH, and began training with him. He quickly developed into one of the top middle distance prospects in the country and earned a spot on the track and field roster at University of Oregon.
As n Oregon Duck, Andy continued to shine, setting track and personal records, and becoming the first Vermont native in history to run the mile in under 4 minutes. He ran himself into the pages of Oregon sports history when, as an Oregon sophomore, he finished a surprise second in the 800m at the 2008 US Olympic Trials to qualify for his first Olympic Games. Andrew went on to win three individual NCAA titles for Ducks, including a rare 800m/1500m double at the 2010 NCAA Championships, a feat last accomplished by fellow Duck and 1984 Olympic Champion Joaquim Cruz. Andrew ran his last race for Oregon at the 2010 Nike Prefontaine Classic, where his 3:51.74 fifth place finish in the Bowerman Mile broke Cruz's 26 year-old school record by more than a second. In 2012 he earned a spot on the US Olympic team and competed in London Olympics.
Today, Andy is a professional runner for NIKE and lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Andy will share stories of his successes and challenges, as well as photos and memories, during this special presentation to students and faculty in the Flickinger Auditorium at Kimball Union Academy at 10 am on Monday, December 3. Andy will be introduced by his former soccer coach and KUA Language Department Chair, Scrib Fauver. Another of his mentors and friends, former faculty member Kevin Ramos-Glew, will be on hand as well. Andy will spend most of the day at KUA and have the chance to spend time formally and informally with students and faculty.
This is the second presentation in Kimball Union Bicentennial Speaker Series which are taking place during the Academy’s year-long bicentennial celebrations. There will be a live feed of Andy’s presentation on the KUA website at www.kua.org.
