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California Community College Athletic Association
Ruth Wysocki
Ruth Wysocki
  • Previous College:
    Citrus

Bio

Wysocki began track competition in age-group races in the late 1960s, and continued her track career over a period of about 30 years, until she became a Masters (over-40) runner in 1997. Wysocki was a standout performer in the 800m in high school, winning the California State championship at 440 y and 880 y. Wysocki attended the University of Redlands, where she excelled at 400 and 800 m. Wysocki first won fame in American middle-distance running when she upset Mary Decker to win the 1978 US Champsionships 800m in 2:01.99. Wysocki scored another upset victory against Decker (now Slaney) at the 1984 US Olympic Trials, this time at 1500 m. Wysocki outsprinted Slaney to win the Trials in 4:00.18. At the 1984 Summer Olympics she finished sixth in 800 m and eighth in 1500 m. [1] She finished seventh in 1500 m at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics in Gothenburg.

In 1997, Wysocki set several Masters records at distances from 800 m - 5000 m on the track, and 5k and 8k road races. Her father, Willis Kleinsasser, was also a successful Masters athlete. Her brother, Alan Kleinsasser, ran 1:50.5 for 800 m and 3:52.2 for 1500 m, both school records at Caltech.