Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Friday, September 17, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cross Country

Olympian visits with friend's team

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- When Nolan Swanson was hired during the summer to coach Fredonia State distance runners, the Blue Devils knew they were getting someone with a high profile.

That became more apparent Thursday, Sept. 16, when Nick Rogers, a member of the U.S. Olympic team that competed in the 2000 Sydney games, stopped by campus for an impromptu visit.

Rogers was in Toronto earlier in the week, so he called Swanson, his friend and former training partner, to arrange a side trip to Western New York.

The visit was timed so that Rogers could meet with the Fredonia State men’s and women’s cross country teams, which Swanson was hired to coach. He will also coach Blue Devil distance runners during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Rogers competed in the 5,000 meters at Sydney after finishing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000 with a personal-best of 13:29.48.

At the Games, the finished 12th in his preliminary and did not advance. It was quite an experience, though as he was able to rub elbows with the likes of Lance Armstrong and Mohammed Ali.

Like Swanson, Rogers runs professionally and is under contract with Nike. Swanson is represented by Asics.

The pair hasn't fared as well as they'd like lately. They have trained as hard as they ever have, but just haven't seen the same results in the past year or so. According to Swanson, the retirement of Dellinger and "the training group pretty much going their separate ways” has made things more difficult.

In addition, Rogers has been slowed by plantar fasciitis.

The pair first met when Swanson moved to Oregon following his collegiate career to train with legendary coach Bill Dellinger. Dellinger had coached Rogers at the University of Oregon, and Swanson at Wake Forest. Dellinger’s past pupils have included Steve Prefontaine and Alberto Salazar.

Rogers has his sights set on some upcoming events. Although he did not qualify for the Olympic team this summer, he plans on continuing his training regimen. He aims to compete in the World Half Marathon in New Delhi, India. He sees the World Track Championships in Helsinki next August as the one race that he would most like to win. Until then, he will continue to compete in the U.S. Road Race Circuit.

He also plans to make future visits to Fredonia State to check up on his friend.

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