TSR's Profiles of Greatness - Alex Kasich
By: Mike Mcmillion

Alex Kasich Biography
Background:
Alex Kasich (born January 5, 1955) grew up in Heritage, PA. He was one of the best long distance runners that West Virginia University ever had. He came out of a high school in the Sharon, Pa., area to earn honors as a standout performer in both track and field and cross country. He earned letters in each sport from 1972-76. After getting his bachelor’s degree in 1976, Kasich served as an assistant to head coach Stan Romanoski for two years while studying for a master’s degree.
Note: Romanoski, who was one of the top track and cross country mentors in the East, is a member of the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and is in the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.
College:
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). He won the Ray McCoy 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.
Professional:
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 (1978-1986).
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.
Personal:
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
Alex Kasich biography compiled by Mike McMillion