Hall of Fame Nominations Due: Van Norman, Russ, Gathje, or Oestreich Anyone?

The Minnesota Track & Field Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for its Class of 2007, to be honored at the semi-annual Hall of Fame Banquet typically held in conjunction with Twin Cities Marathon in October. The deadline for nominations is this Saturday, June 30th.

Here are my four suggestions for the hall ...

Dr. Larry Russ ... The long-time St. Thomas cross country coach led his program to numerous MIAC titles and two NCAA Division III national crowns.

Heather Van Norman ... The Windom sprint sensation won 12 MSHSL Class A titles and won the State Class A team title for Windom single-handedly one year -- and got help for from a 3rd place 4 x 800m squad for a second team title another year.

Jim Gathje ... A former St. John's teammate of mine, I'll admit, but he's held the NCAA Division III 3000 meter steeplechase record since 1985 -- he bettered his own 1985 record in 1986 to the current 8:43.93 -- and his PR 8:39.80 is the all-time Division III standard.

Harry Oestreich ... Gustavus Adolphus quarter-miler from the 1920s -- ranked 37th in the world in 1928 with a 48.9 400m, finished 3rd in the 1926 USA Championships.

You can use the nomination form HERE to suggest your own Minnesota greats to the Hall of Fame committee.

Let us know who you think should be in the Hall ...