Tom Von Ruden

Tom Von Ruden was the runner-up in the 1966 NCAA mile. Indoors he was AAU champion in the 1,000y in 1968 and 1971, and won the NCAA Indoors over 880 yds in 1965. He competed for Oklahoma State and the Pacific Coast Club, winning NCAA Indoor titles for the Cowboys in 1965-66. He was 1967 Pan American Games Champion in the 1,500 metres. Von Ruden was an eclectic athlete, competing occasionally in both the long jump and triple jump for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and twice placed in the triple jump at the Big Eight Championships. While in college in ran a marathon at 7,500 feet (2285 m) elevation in Colorado.

Von Ruden grew up in small towns in Idaho and Montana, including living for a time on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and Kicking Horse Reservation. After his parents divorced he moved near Los Angeles with his mother, where he starred in track and basketball in high school.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:46.8 (1971); 1,500 – 3:38.5 (1971); Mile – 3:56.9 (1967); 3000S – 8:58.6 (1971).