Cougars mourn loss of track and field legend Henry Rono

PULLMAN, Wash. — Former Washington State cross country and track and field All-American, Henry Rono, passed away earlier this week at the age of 72.  In the years since becoming one of the greatest distance runners in track and field history while wearing Crimson & Gray, Rono had relocated back to his home nation of Kenya where he resided at the time of his passing on Thursday.

“Henry Rono is a legendary figure in the history of Cougar Athletics,” said WSU Director of Athletics Pat Chun. “His accomplishments are unmatched in Track and Field, and he embodied the true Cougar spirit. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.”

“Washington State distance runners have historically been good people,” said former WSU Track & Field Head Coach John Chaplin. “Of all of the great athletes we had, and there were several, Henry by far had the greatest depth,” said Chaplin.  “We are so deeply saddened by the news of Henry Rono’s passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time,” said Washington State Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Wayne Phipps.

Henry Kipwambok Rono was born, June 12, 1951, in Kiptaragon, Rift Valley, Kenya, to parents Kiprono Meli (father) and Chepmaiyo Tingwili (mother), and spent two years in the Kenyan Army, before later benefiting from a 1973 NCAA ruling that allowed for increased recruitment foreign athletes that were previously considered “over-age”.  Rono showed his prowess on the track early, capturing the Cross Country Grand Slam as a true freshman in 1976 by winning the Northern Division (28:07.6), Pacific-8 (29:18.6), and NCAA (28:08.60) titles.  The only freshman to ever win an NCAA Cross Country Championship, he also went on to win the NCAA 2-mile with a collegiate indoor record (8:24.83) in his first winter as a Cougar.

“Henry was arguably the greatest distance runner in the history of the NCAA, and his three world records in 10 days is something that likely will never be achieved again,” said Phipps. “I remember being in awe watching (Rono) compete when I was young.  His impact on our program, past and present, is immeasurable,” said Phipps.

As a Cougar, Rono will mostly be remembered for his record-setting whirlwind that consisted of four world records in the span of only 81 days during the Summer of 1978.  As a 26-year-old sophomore, the Kenyan runner set world records in the…