JOE CONLEY
Age: 28
Hometown: St. Louis
High School: Northwest House Springs
College: Central Missouri State University
Major: Computer Information Systems

Favorite Movie:  Grosse Point Blank

Favorite Place to Train: Castlewood/Al Foster or Chubb Trail, or really any place where you're not going to be stopped by traffic.

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Rice Chex w/sugar

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: The Cure and The Clash

Who's better Superman or Batman: Batman

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: Fact. For 10 whole years.

Interesting Fact about me: My wife and I are expecting our first child in April.  Also I saw "Daughtry" at the airport last week.

High School:
33rd at Missouri Class 4 State Cross Country Meet
Ran 16:45 for 5k cross country
Ran 1:58 for 800 meters

College:
A part of 9 MIAA Conference Championship teams (three cross country, four indoor, two outdoor)
As a freshman, ran on the team that finished 2nd place at the Division II National Meet
Competed in four National Meets with a highest finish of 42nd

Short Term Goal: Currently coming back from injury, so I just want to steadily increase mileage, train smart, and avoid injury.

Long Term Goal: 33:00 for 10K and 1:12 for Half Marathon.

Joe manages to work at Boeing, assistant coach at St. Louis University High School, and still find time to train. His biggest asset is that he is able to get in shape very quickly after injuries. His biggest problem is that he gets injured a lot. When healthy though, Joe is still one of the area’s best.

High School:
Finished 19th at the Missouri State Class 4 Cross Country Championships
Finished 8th in the 1600 at the Missouri Class 4 State Track Meet
Ran PRs of 4:24 and 1:59 at the State Meet

College:
4 Time MIAA All-Conference Athlete
2 Time Participant in NCAA DII XC championships

Post-Collegiate:
Completed 4 marathons: Grandma's, Dallas, Boston, Phoenix
Rock n' Roll.

Short Term Goal: Sub 2:35 marathon, Sub 1:13 half

Long Term Goal: See how far under 2:30 I can run in the marathon.

Mike is the head cross country and track and field coach at St. Louis University. The youngest Division I head coach in the country, Mike has already improved the program at St. Louis U. in only his first year at the helm. As a runner, Mike has shown an uncanny ability to be good at the middle distances on the track as well as run a good marathon. He will be running the Okoboji Marathon in July and the Lewis and Clark Half Marathon in September.

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JOE PORTER
Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis
High School: De Smet Jesuit
College: St. Louis University
Major: History

Favorite Movie: Please Vote for Me: Democracy is a 3rd Grade
Classroom in China produced by PBS.  Just kidding, I'm not a tool.  My favorite movie is Blazing Saddles.

Favorite Place to Train: Forest Park

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cheerios with bananas and 2% milk (no strawberries or sugar)

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: Anything by Yanni and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra live at the Taj Mahal

Who's better Superman or Batman: Superman

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: FACT!!!!

Interesting Fact about me: My mom says that I'm cool.

High School:
member of 4th place state cross country team for DeSmet
1st team all Metro Catholic Conference
Sectional 1600 champ (4:22)

College:
SLU’s #1 man all four years
4th fastest time in school history (25:37)
3 school records on the track (800, 1500, and 5000)

Short Term Goal: Recover from the St. Louis Marathon, among other things, and get back into shape.

Long Term Goal: To continue to run well and be a successful coach.

Currently Joe is an assistant cross country and track coach at St. Louis University High School where he teaches history full time. He placed third in his marathon debut at the Sprirt of St. Louis marathon in April 2006. Joe returned to St. Louis in 2007 and placed fifth. He is currently recovering from a surgery and just getting started running again.

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BEN ROSARIO
Age: 27
Hometown: St. Louis
High School: St. Louis University High School
College: Truman State University
Major: Communications/Journalism

High School:
Part of 3rd place cross country team
All State, 18th place, in cross country
16:18 5k cross country PR
9:48 3200 PR

College:
14 time all MIAA selection
All American Division II cross country
Set school records at 3k and 5k indoors

Professional:
Finished 7th at the US Club Cross Country Championships (2006)
Finished 21st at US Half Marathon Championships (2006)
Finished 2nd at US Marathon Championships at Twin Cities Marathon (2005)
Ran for the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project from 2003-2005
Finished 27th at US Cross Country Championships (2005)
Finished 10th at California International Marathon (2004)
Finished 37th at US Olympic Trials Marathon (2004)

Short Term Goal: Ben is prepping for the US Club Cross Country Championships in Ohio.

Long Term Goal: Ben's new goal is to focus on the store as his number one priority but run some shorter races that don't take as much time to train for!

Ben finished a disappointing 100th place at the US Olympic Trials Mens Marathon on November 3rd in new York City. It was Ben's second trip to the Trials after finishing 37th in 2004. His career was filled with many highlights including his 2nd place finish at the 2005 US Marathon Championships

FUN STUFF:

Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting. Of course, this is common knowledge to those of you who have read my staff bio or to those of you who I have dated as it was a go-to for me back in my swinging single days!

Favorite Place to Train: Flagstaff, AZ. I spent three weeks there getting ready for the Olympic Trials and it was gorgeous. I looked forward to every single run I did there. An honorable mention should go to good ol' Kirksville, MO and the rolling dirt roads that I called home for five years in college. Yes, that's right, five years.

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Life. I don't know how they do it without fancy marshmallows or a cool mascot like Capn' Crunch or Count Chocula but the stuff is great.

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: I certainly do not have an iPod as I am technologically challenged but let's say for a minute that I did then I think Charmer by Kings of Leon would be number one. By the way if any of you know someone in that band tell them to get back from Europe so I can go to another one of their shows.

Who's better Superman or Batman: I read Mark Palm's bio and he picked Superman but I prefer Batman because he is the only superhero without any actual super powers. That's right, no ability to fly or x-ray vision like Superman, no ability to spin webs like Spiderman. Basically, he protects us all by just being one cool cat.

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: Fiction. Again, I will disagree with Mark Palm. 80s fashion was by far the worst of any decade in the entire 20th Century. Don't even get me started on 80s music- we still haven't completely recovered. Culture-wise we went from Free Love and peace to Wall-Street driven greed. The only good thing about the 80s were the St. Louis Cardinals and Whiteyball. Oh, and Alex P. Keaton.

Interesting Fact about me: I once completed the McDonalds Dollar Menu Challenge in 8 minutes and 2 seconds. For those of you who don't know what that is it means that I ate every item on the dollar menu in one sitting and I did it at a rate that is ridiculously fast. I have it on tape if you don't believe me!

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BRIAN LYONS
Age: 26
Hometown: Purdy, MO
High School: Purdy High School
College: Missouri Southern State University
Degrees: B.S. Environmental Health

College:
Four-time MIAA Conference Champion (XC, 3k & 5k indoors, 5k outdoors)
All American Division II Cross Country (2002)
All American Division II Track (2004 - 5000m)

Post-Collegiate:
4th place- 2007 Trolley Run 4 miler, 18:50.
Member of 9th place team at 2006 US Club Cross Country Champs
12th place- 2006 US Marathon Championships, 2:22:34

Short Term Goal: Spring Road and Track Season.

Long Term Goal: Qualify for the Olympic Trials.

Since joining the Big River Racing Team Brian has seen a huge resurgence in his running. In the year since the team began he has set pr's at 3200 meters, 4 miles, 15k, 10 miles and the Marathon. His biggest accomplishment was his 12th place finish at the US Marathon Championships in the fall of 2006 where he narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic Trials by running 2:22:34. He is also co-sponsored by Mizuno.

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TIM BRADLEY
Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis
High School : CBC
College : Murray State University
Graduate School : SIUE
Degrees: B.S. Exercise Science, M.S. Exercise Physiology, CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association

High School:
Part of two all-state teams at CBC (3rd) 1998, 1999
All-State, 18th place, in cross country 2000
Metro Catholic Conference Cross Country Champion 2000
Second Team All Metro 2000
16:08 5k PR, 4:27 1600, 9:50 3200

College:
All-Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country 2002
All Mid-Con. Conference Cross Country 2005
All Mid-Con. Conference Indoor 5,000m 2006
All Mid-Con. Conference 10,000m 2006

Post-Collegiate:
In first post-collegiate year set PR's in 1600m, 5k/5mi/10k road, 10k XC, and half marathon
Member of 9th place team at 2006 US Club Cross Country Championships
Member of 7th place team at 2007 US Club Cross Country Championships
Missouri Champion for 2007 Spirit of St. Louis and Lewis and Clark Half Marathon

Short Term Goal: Increase mileage, break 15:00 for 5k and 1:10:00 for the half marathon

Long Term Goal:
Reach genetic potential, help Big River Running develop.

Tim is the assistant cross country and track and field coach at St. Louis University . In 2007 Tim lead the SLU cross country team to 4 school records and their highest regional finish in school history.

FUN STUFF:

Favorite Movie: Any movie with a training montage

Favorite Place to Train: St. Louis Hills

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Life. Any cereal bold enough to call itself life has to be good. Who are the ad wizards that came up with this one?

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: I don't have an iPOD or radio, I mostly just YouTube any music that I want to listen/watch.

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: Fact

Interesting Fact about me: I have a great e-mail address and voicemail message. I want to make communicating with me as fun as possible. I often have people call me just hoping to get my voicemail.

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DREW WYANT
DOB: August 5, 1984
Hometown: Monticello, IN
College : DePauw University
Occupation: Graduate Student

Favorite Movie: Moulin Rouge, Boondock Saints

Favorite Place to Train: DePauw Nature Park

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cocoa Dynobites

Who's Better Superman or Batman: Batman

Fact or Fiction: The 80's rocked! Not sure I was still wearing diapers

High School:
I sucked

College:
Three-time All Conference Track
Two-time All Conference Cross Country
National Qualifier XC

Short Term Goal:
Improve Fitness
Race at Club Nationals

Long Term Goal:
Break 15:00 for 5k
Qualify for the Marathon Trials

Interesting Fact About Me: I race in early 90's Oakley Sunglasses.

Drew joins the team from DePauw University where he was a standout on the XC and Track Teams. He adds more depth to the Men's Team and is currently attending SIU-Edwardsville getting his Master's in Exercise Science.

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RYAN MEE
Age: 22
Hometown: Wentzville, MO
High School: St. Dominic High School
College: Drury University
Major: BS Business Administration

High School:
4x State Cross Coutnry Qualifier
Captain on 2001 2A State Championship Team

College:
Team Captian 2004-2006
School Record Holder 1500, 3k and 5k

Short Term Goal:
Train Consistantly and race competitively.

Long Term Goal:
Stay Healthy and lower PR's in 5k and 10k and eventually move up to the half-marathon and marathon.

Ryan has been with us since 2006. He has struggled with injuries recently but we expect he'll be back at it soon.

Favorite Movie: There's so many to choose from!  I have to pick my favorites in a few categories.  Comedy: Office Space ("Have you seen my stapler?")  Adventure: Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I've read the books and the movies were stunning)  Sci Fi: The Matrix (Keanu in all his monotone glory, a role he was meant to play.)  Action: Fight Club (Philosophically mind blowing, plus a great quote - "I ran until my legs burned and my veins pumped battery acid, and then I ran some more.")

Favorite place to run: The Al Foster Trail.  I start at the Glencoe Trailhead most of the time.  I'm used to just having roads to run on so it is really nice to have a sizeable trail system to access. 

Cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats

Song: Modest Mouse "Parting of the Sensory"  I love stealing carbon.

Superman or Batman? Batman is awesome.  Everyone has a little Dark Knight in them.

did the 80s rock?: Sorry to say, I don't remember the 80s much. But thinking back, the one thing I do remember is the original nintendo.  Duck Hunt and late night Mario binges.....yes....the 80s rocked. 

Interesting fact: I played the tenor saxophone in the school band for five years. 

High School:
2 time Kentucky State 3A Cross Country competitor (1998 and 1999)

College:
All Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country 2003
Placed 2 nd in the 5k as part of the 2005 OVC Outdoor Track Championship Team
Winner of the Vanderbilt Invite 5k and the Alabama Relays 10k in 2005
Ohio Valley Conference Scholar Athlete 2004-2005 (given to 3 males and 3 females in the 11 school conference)

Short Term Goal: Fall Racing Season.

Long Term Goal:
Continue competitive running and explore my potential at the half and full marathon distances. Perhaps try to qualify for an Olympic Trials.

Brian is now officially a St. Louis resident after finishing school at Southeast Missouri State University. Look for Brian to continue to be a force on the St. Louis racing scene.

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BLAKE BOLDON
Age: 27
Hometown: Osceola , Iowa
High School: Clarke Community High School
College : Missouri State University
Major: Mathematics Education

Favorite Movie: I saw "Swingers" a while ago and I hadn't seen it in
years.  Later in the day I ran really well at a big meet so that pretty
much catapulted it to favorite movie status.  At least for now.  Another good pre-race movie is "For Love of the Game."

Favorite Place to Train: Hard workouts - Definitely the gravel roads
south of Ames, Iowa.  Favorite place for easy runs - Joaquin Miller Park (just east of Oakland, CA)

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs

List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: Ben Folds, "Learn to Live With What You Are"

Who's better Superman or Batman: Come on, Batman is only a dude in a costume.

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: Fact, but mainly just Bon Jovi and
Michael J. Fox.

Interesting Fact about me:  My most consistent training partner over
the last four years has definitely been my dog, Cass.  She's put in some serious miles with me and gone as long as 16 or so in one run.  The only downside is that she needs some serious downtime during the summer.

High School:
Cross Country – All State, 8th place, in Class 2A
16:08 5k cross country PR Track – 1600 meter State Champion in Class 3A, 4th place 3200 meters
4:27 1600 PR
9:48 3200 PR

College:
5 time Missouri Valley Conference Champion
School records: indoor mile: 4:03.63, outdoor 1500 m: 3:42.73
Missouri Valley Conference 2003 Indoor Championships Most Valuable Performer & Most Outstanding Track Athlete
2003 Drake Relays & Sea Ray Relays 1500 meter champion
2003 Kansas Relays Champion

Professional:
USATF Outdoor National Championship 1500-meter Run 10th, 2006
USATF 5k National Championship 13th, 2006
USATF National Cross Country Championship 4k 23rd, 2006
USATF Indoor National Championship 1500-meter Run 12th, 2004
USATF Outdoor National Championship 1500-meter Run 17th, 2003
Represented the US in Armagh International 5k, Armagh City, Northern Ireland and RasnahEreann 6k Cross Country

Short Term Goal: Build a base this fall for the 2008 Track Season.

Long Term Goal: Blake's long term plan is centered on the 2008 Olympic Track & Field Trials in Euguene, Oregon.

Checkout Blake's Training Log and follow whats going on with him and his training.

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Favorite Movie: Its a toss-up...Legends of the Fall or Last of the Mohicans... however, my favorite running movie is "On the Edge"

Favorite Book: Once a Runner, by John L Parker

Favorite Place to Train: Bowen Island, British Columbia... But im really in heaven anytime it is raining

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cracklin Oat Bran.
List the most played song on your iPOD/Radio: Everything's Ruined, Faith No More

Who's better Superman or Batman: Irrelevant. Wolverine would take them both.

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked: It depends, for the most part fiction, but it got better around 1987 thanks to G N' R.

Interesting Fact about me: I like to gather wild edible food in my spare time (when I have some), and i can identify most every tree i see around here (i used to know all their scientific names too).

High School:
1999 All State Missouri 2A: Track, 4x800m relay (5th); XC, 11th (individual), 2nd (team)
2000 All State Missouri 2A: Track, 4x800m relay (2nd), 3200m (3rd); XC, individual state champion
2001 All State Missouri 2A: Track, 3200m (2nd)

College:
SLIAC XC 1 st Team All Conference 4X; Individual Champion 2006
NCAA DIII XC All Midwest Region 2X

Short Term Goal:
Find an effective training formula/methodology for myself, Succeed at the great post-college time balancing game, positively contribute to the team, and get back into and stay in good racing shape and break my very old PRs for the 2mile, 5k, 8k and half marathon.

Long Term Goal:
Continuing to love and learn from running while getting ready to compete in cross country races in the fall, race the Pere Marquette 8mile in December and the Spirit of St Louis Half Marathon next April.

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High School:
2A State 3200m Record Holder
2A State Champion 2000 - 3200m
2x State Runner up (XC - 1999, Mile - 2000)

College:
All American Division II Cross Country (2001– 11th place)
2x Division II National Qualifier Track (2003, 2004 - 10000m)

Short Term Goal:
Get through Medical School and run as much as possible

Long Term Goal:
Break 2:30 in the Marathon and continue to run competitively

Alan is currently in medical school in Kirksville, MO and is training when time allows. When training full-time Alan is one of the best runners in the Midwest. He naturally accels at the longer distances with the half marathon and marathon his best two events. Looks for him to pop up in races over the next few years when school allows him to do some decent training.

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High School:
District Champion 4x800 - 2002
3x Cross Country State Qualifier (1999, 2000, 2001)

College:
Competed on 2005 National Cross Country Team for CMSU - 2005
4x MIAA Scholar Athlete

Short Term Goal:
Improve 5k PR

Long Term Goal:
Enjoy Running and Stay Injury Free

Jeremy recently debuted at the Marathon distance running the 2007 Spirit of St. Louis Marathon finishing 8th place. His ability to train at a high level will allow him to continue to drop his PR's at teh longer distances. Look for him to jump in some shorter races this summer.

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High School:
2-time Illinois All-State Selection
4 th Place 3200 Class A 2003(9:39)
5th at 2002 Illinois Class A State Cross Country Meet (15:08)

College:
9- Time NJCAA All-American 2(Cross Country) (2-Out 5k)
(2- 10k) (2-In 5k) (1-In 3k)
2-Time MVC Champ (In-5k, Out 10k)
76th 2006 NCAA Division I CC Championships
Ind State School Record Holder in Outdoor 5k (14:22) and 10k. (29:51)

Short Term Goal:
Stay Healthy

Long Term Goal:
Place in the top 25 at USATF Cross Country Championships in 2008. Qualify for USATF in the 10k. Run a Half Marathon in under 1:10. Run under 14min. 5k and under 29min in 10k.

Justin joins the racing team after completing a very impressive college career at Indiana State. His ability to handle the 5k and 10k in college sets him up for a bright future in the Marathon and Half Marathon Distances. He will be competing this winter at the Club Cross Country Championships with Big River.

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TREY ROBINSON
Age: 24
Hometown: Chesterfield , Missouri
College: Truman State University ‘06
Occupation: Abbott Laboratories- Quality Professional Development Program

PRs
Distance Time

Favorite Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Favorite Place to Train: Babler State Park and Castlewood Park

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Smart Start

List the Most Played Song on Your Ipod/Radio: Two Step (Dave Matthews Band)

Who's Better Superman or Batman: Superman

Fact or Fiction, the 80's rocked? Fact!

Short Term Goals
Compete for Big River at the USA Cross Country Nationals XC Meet

Long Term Goals
Break 15 min for the 5k, 32 min for the 10k and 2:50 in the Marathon.

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STEPHEN YATES
Age: 36
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
College: Southwest Missouri State (Missouri State)
Occupation: Programmer/Analyst

PR's
Distance/Time

Favorite Movie: No favorites but like the classic comedies...Trading Places, Blazing Saddles, Strange Brew, etc.

Favorite Place to Train: Creve Coeur Park/Katy Trail

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Cereal would just dilute the coffee.

List the Most played song on your Ipod/Radio: None in particular. Most played bands are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, and Linkin Park.

Who's Better Superman or Batman? Batman

Fact or Fiction, the 80's Rocked? Fact

Short Term Goals:
Get back to running competitive open times. Sub 2:35 marathon.

Long Term Goals:
Maintain competitive open times into the masters age divisision.

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CARTER SNOW
Age: 25
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
College: Central Methodist University
Occupation: Wildlife Biologist

PRs
Distance/Time

Favorite Movie: I would say "Forrest Gump" but that spawned the whole "run Forrest run" thing, so I'm going with Pulp Fiction.

Favorite Place to Train: Castlewood/Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Well I don't eat it anymore but I've got to give Cocoa Krispies the nod, because really, who could pass up the chocolate milk at the end

List the Most Played Song on Your Ipod/Radio: Right now, "Rag and Bones" The White Stripes

Who's Better Superman or Batman: Did Superman need a sidekick, well there you have it.

Fact or Fiction, the 80's Rocked? The 80's did not rock, but my knee high socks with the stripes did.

Interesting Fact About Me: I've lived on the Big Island of Hawai'i for the last two years working on a project to help the recovery of the Endangered Palila bird. The project is over and I'm back in St. Louis to apply for graduate school. Hawai'i was nice but it's good to be home. Oh, and I have a third nipple.

High School Accomplishments:
State Qualifier Cross Country 1999 (41st place)

College Accomplishments:
6 time NAIA All American:
2001 3rd - 4x800m
2002 5th - distance medley (indoor), 6th - 800m (outdoor)
2003 3rd - 1000m (indoor), 4th - 800m (outdoor)
2004 3rd - 1000m (indoor)

Short Term Goals:
Remain healthy and run well at the Chicago Marathon

Long Term Goals:
Recover from Chicago and start training to improve my 5k and 10k PR's. Then if all goes well, jump into a couple of indoor races and give the 800 and Mile one more shot.

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DARREL LEWIS
Age: 25
Hometown: Wingo, KY
College: University of Tennessee-Martin
Degrees: B.S. in Health and Human Performance

PR's
Distance/Time

High School Accomplishments:
Participant in the Kentucky Cross Country State Championship

College Accomplishments:
UT-Martin school record holder in the Indoor 800, Outdoor 800, and Indoor 1000

Short Term Goals:
After a layoff due to injury, I want to get back into shape and PR in the 5K.

Long Term Goals:
Run 15:30 or below in the 5K

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