Nenow Tracks Broken Records
It appears former University of Kentucky All-American Mark Nenow is back on track, literally, after winning the Rosemont 10K Turkey Trot in Chicago, 111., last Sunday.
Nenow, 27, defended his title in the 10,000-meter race with a course-record timing of 28 minutes, 52 seconds.
i^el Holbrook
Cats' Pause Columnist
"It feels great to be a winner this year because I was up against such heavy competition," Nenow, who makes his home in Lexington, told the Associated Press. "Last year, I competed against an injured Greg Meyer (the previous course record holder), and was able to run away with it. This year I was neck and neck with Simeon (Kisen) until the last 50 yards."
Nenow failed to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics last June because of an injury that affected his training for the trials. But he made the Olympic Trials in both 1984 and '80 and it looks like the disappointment in Los Angeles won't keep him from getting his sights on Seol, South Korea, and the 1988 Games.
Besides the trials, this year has been good for Nenow, a native of Minnesota who didn't start running until his senior year at Anoka High School. He won the Minnesota State cross country meet, however, and was recruited by the Wildcats, one of the few National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Div. I schools to offer him a scholarship.
While at UK, Nenow won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship in both 10K and 5 K competition, setting a new SEC record in the 10K with a time of 28:46. He also holds the school record (28:32). Nenow was voted an ail-American and all-SEC performer.
"I didn't believe I could have accomplished all that after such a late start in life," Nenow said. "But it all worked out for me."
So far in 1984 Nenow has set the unofficial world record in a 10,000-meter race as well as winning races all over the country.
He shattered the world road record with a 27:22 at the Crescent City Classic in New Orleans, La., last March 31. The time was so stunning that a course remeasurement was requested. The course was found to be accurate, so Nenow's world record still stands, although it's 'unofficial' in that Nenow broke the record in a road race and not on an actual track.
But Nenow also has the top times on a track by an American this year at both 5,000 (13:18.54) and 10,000 meters (27:40.56).
Breaking the world record by such a margin is like breaking the mile mark by five seconds, according to Nenow.
In distance racing, like 10,000 meters, you don't hit your peak until the late 20s or early 30s,'' said Nenow. "I could very well be running my best in three or four years."
Nenow also holds the American record for a 10K road race, having set that mark last March at the Azalea Trial race in Mobile, Ala. Nenow's time was 27:59, breaking the old mark held by former Boston Marathon winner Alberto Salazar by two seconds.
He was also a silver medalist at the World Cross Country Championships in Madrid, Spain, a bronze medalist in the Pan American Games at Caracas, Venezeula, both held last year, and a gold medalist in the US-USSR Championships in Leningrad in 1980.
"I guess you could say I've been successful in my profession," Nenow said.
Mark Nenow
Schnellenberger Agrees To Terms
Former UK All-American Howard Schnellenberger has signed a five-year pact to coach the Louisville Cardinals in a move which signals a genuine effort by numerous prominent Louisville officials to bring big-time college football to the River City.
Schnellenberger guided the Miami Hurricanes to the national title a year ago, but resigned to coach a Miami entry in the United States Football League. That deal fell through and the former Miami boss has reportedly been looking to get back in the game as a coach.
Details of the contract were not made public, but one Miami newspaper said UL has guaranteed its new coach more than $250,000 per year plus a $1 million bonus if he stays with
the Cardinals ten years (a. bonus similar to one given the Cards' Denny Crum last spring).
Louisville may have enjoyed a unique situation in luring Howard because there are few major college positions open at this time. Rumors were rampant during the mid-season that he would replace Gerry Faust at Notre Dame, but Faust's Irish rallied at the end and is in no danger of being kicked out.
And there appears to be no large number of vacancies on the pro level within the near future. So when Louisville came calling, with lots of money and deals on the side from television to medical care for his family, the temptation was too great for Howard to turn down.
This is the same Schnellenberger which said no to his alma mater three years ago. But that was somewhat different. He would have had to left Miami to take the Kentucky job. This time, there was no Miami to give up.
The next obvious question is how long he will remain in Louisville? Will he junk Louisville the first time an exciting opportunity knocks? There were those close to the Kentucky scene who felt Howard would not have rode out the storm at UK. There are some who believe Louisville is only a pit stop until another big-time job opens up.
But Howard also likes a challenge and he certainly has one in Louisville. Time will provide the answer.