Ray Conger

Ray Conger was AAU 1,500/Mile Champion in 1927-28 and 1930. He also won the AAU indoor 1,000 yard title from 1928-31 and set a world indoor record for 1,000 yards in 1928 with 2:11.0. Conger won the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games in 1929-31, earning lasting fame as “The man who beat Paavo Nurmi,” when he came from behind to beat the Flying Finn in the 1929 race.

Conger ran for Iowa State in College, later obtained a Masters Degree in physiology, and then did further graduate work at Columbia. From 1931-36 he taught zoology at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he also coached track. He then joined the faculty at Penn State and was a professor of physical education there until his retirement in 1970.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 3:55.0 (1928); Mile – 4:13.2i (1929).