Alex Kasich Biography

Kasich grew up in Heritage, PA.

While at West Virginia University (1972-1976), Alex competed in intercollegiate athletics in cross country and track & field and was an NCAA All-American in cross country (1975). Upon leaving West Virginia University, Nike, Inc. invited Alex to Eugene, Oregon, to represent Nike as a member of their elite track and field club, Athletics West (1978-86).

During his running career, Alex competed at national and international levels in cross country, track and field and road racing. Accomplishments include an American Record, two world bests, two National Championships, 3-times U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier, and a 9th place finish at the 1981 New York City Marathon, with a time of 2:13:20.

He won the Ray McCary State Track Athlete of the Year in both 1974-75 as awarded by the West Virginia sports writers. In 1974, he was inducted into the Mercer Country (Pa.) Sports Hall of Fame.

Kasich and his wife Elena have two children, son Michael and daughter Katia.

Road Performances:

Distance Time Location Date

4 Miles 18:38.0 Philippi, WV 07/16/78

5 Miles 23:28.0 Point Marion, PA 10/15/78

10 Kilometers 29:16.4 Eugene, OR 04/14/84

15 Kilometers 44:57.0 Tampa, FL 02/09/80

10 Miles 48:02.0 Eugene, OR 02/03/80

20 Kilometers 1:01:38.9 Wheeling, WV 05/24/80

Half Marathon 1:03:31 Cottage Grove, OR 07/16/83

25 Kilometers 1:16:30 Eugene, OR 09/07/86

30 Kilometers 1:33:55.8 Eugene, OR 08/01/82

Marathon 2:13:20 New York, NY 10/25/81

50 Miles 7:03:36 Boonsboro, MD 11/19/77

Track Performances:

Distance Time Location Date

880 Yards 1:54.0 ir Columbus, OH 02/29/76

1 Mile 4:05.1 i Columbus, OH 02/21/76

3,000 Meters 8:15.2 Eugene, OR 05/01/82

2 Miles 8:39.9 i Pittsburgh, PA 01/31/76

5,000 Meters 14:03.4 Eugene, OR 06/06/80

10,000 Meters 28:43.22 Eugene, OR 03/20/82

Honors:

1975 NCAA All-American Cross Country 16th

1975 USTFF National Champion Cross Country 1st

1978 AAU 15 Kilometer National Champion Road 1st

1978 World Best - 4 Miles Road 1st

1980 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier Marathon 2:20:16

1980 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000 Meter Finalist Track 16th

1981 New York City Marathon Marathon 9th

1982 American Record - 30 Kilometers Road 1:33:56

1984 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier Marathon 2:14:22

1986 World Best - 25 Kilometers Road 1:16:30

i = indoor performance

r = relay split