Oklahoma State University Athletics
Jamboree Rich in Olympic History
September 27, 2012 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Sept. 27, 2012
By Michael Minshew - For 75 years, the Cowboy Jamboree, hosted by Oklahoma State, has given the nation's best runners an opportunity to showcase their talents at the oldest consecutive cross country event in the nation.
Since 1995, seven men and three women who have competed in the Jamboree have gone on to represent their countries in the Olympics. Out of the 10, only Sally Kipyego of Kenya (second place in 2005) has medaled, earning the silver medal in the 10,000 meter race during the 2012 London games.
The male runners include: Godfrey Siamusiye of Zambia (first place in 1995), Sean Kaley of Canada (fifth place in 1996 and second place in 1998), Michael Power of Australia (second place in 1999), Daniel Lincoln of the U.S.A. (second place in 2001 and 3rd place in 2002), Alistair Cragg of Ireland (third place in 2001 and first place in 2002), David McNeill of Australia (second place in 2008) and Diego Estrada of Mexico (fifth place in 2009 and first place in 2011). The other female runners include: Diane Nukuri of Burundi (fourth place in 2005) and Beverly Ramos of Puerto Rico (first place in 2008).
Oklahoma State coach Dave Smith said the Jamboree continues to attract a high level of athletes.
"We've had some really good teams that come here year after year and bring very good athletes with them," Smith said. "Some runners went on to be Olympians, but they also had great college careers as well."
One standout was three-time Olympian Jim Ryun, who made his collegiate debut at the Jamboree in 1966. At the race, he finished seventh in the four-mile event with a time of 20:26, helping the Kansas Jayhawks earn third place as a team.
Ryun had an illustrious career as he was the first high school runner ever to run the mile in under four minutes. He also won the silver medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
This year, OSU's men's team will compete against 21 university teams and the women's team will face 18 university teams. Both of OSU's teams will be looking to finish in first place for the third consecutive year.
The Jamboree began in 1937 and has become one of the largest non-championship cross country races in the country. Last year, more than 80 college and university teams competed at the event.
Smith said one reason for the sustained success of the event is the course itself.
"If you look back at the history of it you see that the course has remained unchanged for years now," Smith said. "It's all just a part of the history of the Jamboree."
The OSU Cross Country Course is an 8,000-meter trek and is one of the few courses actually located on a college campus. The course itself is grass, with wood chips making for a soft surface for the OSU harriers to train on year round. It also features rolling hills and three sets of steps, which provide an experience that is challenging and unique to its runners.
The Cowboy Jamboree will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the OSU Cross Country Course.
