HOUSTON – Three Chico State distance running alumni will be competing for a spot in the Olympics at Saturday’s United States Olympic Marathon trials. Yes, the Olympics. Charlie Serrano and Tim Tollefson will compete in the men’s race, beginning at 6 a.m., PST, and Tollefson’s fiancé, Lindsay Nelson, will run in the women’s race that’s set to go off at 6:15. Then on Sunday, Scott Bauhs (whose sites are set on the June 22nd 10,000-meter Olympic qualifier) will go after the title in the Houston Half Marathon.
Thus, it must be said: “Houston – we have some Wildcats.”
A two-hour tape-delayed version of the event is scheduled to air on NBC at noon Saturday.
Serrano, called a “dark horse” to earn one of three Olympic Qualifying spots up for grabs by the website “Spiked Up Psyched Up,” will be running in his first ever marathon. The 2007 Chico State graduate qualified for a spot at the line on Saturday by virtue of his blistering half-marathon time of 1:04.05.
Nelson, a Pleasant Valley High School (Chico) graduate, wrapped up her amazing Chico State career in 2008. The 2010 Long Beach Marathon champ is hoping to challenge the 2:40 threshold.
For much of the last few years, Nelson has been coached by Tollefson, her former Chico State teammate. Lately she’s been on her own, however, as Tollefson followed his dream to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
Tollefson will be running his third marathon since October after qualifying at last month’s California International Marathon in Sacramento. October’s Chicago Marathon was his first ever.
Following are bios for each athlete and links to some very informative and fun stories.
Charlie Serrano
PRs
10k: 28:24
Half Marathon: 1:04:05
*Will Debut in Marathon in Houston Saturday
High School: Royal HS ‘02 (Simi Valley)
PR’s: 4:25-1600, 9:17-3200m
Chico State (’07)
College PR’s: 3:53-1500, 14:06-5,000m, 29:43-10,000m
*CCAA Champion-5k, ’05, ’06, ‘07
*4 time NCAA Qualifier-Track
*7 time All American (5X Track, 2 x XC)
*CCAA XC Champion
*West Region XC Runner-up
*6th at NCAA XC-‘06
*NCAA 5k Champion 2007
Post Collegiate:
PR’s: 3:46-1500, 13:57-5,000m, 28:24-10,000m
Affiliation: Adidas-Legacy Racing
*USATF Qualifier-10,000m ’11 (18th place)
*2011 Long Beach ½ Marathon-1st Place-1:04.05
*2011 LA Rock and Roll ½ Marathon-1st Place 1:04:20
*2011 Dana Point Turkey Trot 10k-1st Place
*2011 USATF Club XC Championships-8th Place
Recent Interviews:
http://spikeduppsychedup.com/2011/12/01/charlie-serrano-dark-horse-for-olympic-trials-marathon/
http://runnersfeed.com/selling-art-and-winning-races-allows-charlie-serrano-to-chase-the-dream/
http://running.competitor.com/2011/10/news/serrano-sprints-to-victory-at-dodge-rock-%E2%80%98n%E2%80%99-roll-los-angeles_40927
http://running.competitor.com/2011/10/videos/video-post-race-interview-with-charlie-serrano_41074
Lindsay Nelson
Marathon PR: 2:42:59
High School: Pleasant Valley HS ‘04 (Chico, CA)
PR’s: 11:43-3200m
Chico State ’08
College PR’s: 10:07-3k, 17:13-5k, 36:20-10k
*CCAA 10k Champ 2007
*3 time NCAA XC Participant
*2 time NCAA Track Qualifier-10k/5k
*All West Region XC ’06, ‘07
*#7 All Time CSUC-10k, #8 All Time CSUC-5k
Post Collegiate:
Affiliation: Asics Aggies RC
*2010 Long Beach Marathon Champion
*8th Place-San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon 2011 (2:42.59)
Interview with Lindsay from Flotrack:
http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/240321-USA-Olympic-Marathon-Trials-2012-Houston/video/518975-Eyes-on-Houston-Lindsay-Nelson
Tim Tollefson
Marathon PR: 2:18.26
High School: Rocklin High ‘03
PR’s: 4:30-1600, 10:20’s-3200m
Chico State (’08)
College PR’s: 3:59-1500, 15:09-5,000m, 9:05-3k St.
*CCAA Steeple Champ ‘07
*3rd Overall in ’07 XC West Regional
*3 X NCAA Track Qualifier-Steeplechase
*2 X NCAA Steeplechase Finalists (9th-’07, ’08)
*#7 All Time CSUC-3k Steeplechase
* 2 X CSUC Male Scholar Athlete of Year
Post Collegiate:
Affiliation: Chico TC!
*America’s Finest City Half Marathon-2011 (1:08.02)
*Chicaco Marathon 2011 (2:21.59)
*9th at CIM Marathon-2011 (2:18.26)
Related Articles/Interviews w/ Tim:
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/05/4099848/marathon-notes-rosevilles-tollefson.html
http://www.flotrack.org/blog/40135-The-Essense-of-The-Trials
Scott Bauhs
PRs
10K: 27:48
Half Marathon: 1:02.39
High School: San Ramon Valley HS ’04 (Danville, CA)
HS PR’s: 4:16-1600m, 9:09-3200m, 15:35-Woodward Park XC
Chico State ‘08
College PR’s: 3:59-Mile, 13:31-5k, 27:48-10,000m, 1:03.04-1/2 Marathon
*3 time CCAA 1500m Champion
*Became 308th American to break the 4 min mile
*Qualified for the US Senior Team to World Cross Country-Placing 52nd
*13:31-5k at Mt Sac Invite during Junior season is fastest American DII run ever
*27:48-10,000m=Fastest DII Ever, #4 American Collegiate All Time
*1:03.04 ½ Marathon at San Jose RnR=American Record for 21 and under
*2 time Stanford Invite XC Champion
*2008 NCAA XC Champion
*2008 NCAA 5k Champion
*2007 NCAA 10k Champion, 5k runner-up (behind Serrano)
*School Record Holder-1500, Mile, 5k, 10k.
Post Collegiate
Affiliation: Mammoth Track Club
PR’s: 3k-7:51, 5k-13:28, 10k-27:48, ½ Marathon-1:02.39
*World Championship Qualifier-XC
*Las Vegas ½ Marathon Champion-2010 (1:02.39)
*3rd at USATF Championships-2011 qualifying for World Championship s
*IAAF World Championship 10,000m Finalist
Articles/Interviews
http://www.usatf.org/Athlete-Bios/Scott-Bauhs.aspx
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl9li7_scott-bauhs-wins-the-2010-rnr-vegas-half-marathon_sport
http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13614
Mammoth TC Bio:
http://www.mammothtrackclub.com/speaker/526-Scott-Bauhs
