Warren Oliver Druetzler (June 8, 1929 – September 21, 2017)[1] was an American athlete, who competed mainly in the 1500 m. Druetzler was a finalist in the 1500 m at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Druetzler, circa 1952

College career

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Growing up in Illinois, he ran for Lyons Township High School where he set the state record in the mile that stood for 23 years.[2] He was the 1947 IHSA State Champion.[3]

In cross country running Druetzler was a 3-time NCAA top-10 placer and national runner-up (1950) individually for the Michigan State Spartans.[4] He was also a member of two national champion teams (1948 and 1949) and one runner-up team (1950) at the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.

In track and field Druetzler won the NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships title in the mile run in 1951.[5] He was also a member of the 4x880 yard relay team that set the world record in 1950.[2] That year he was also the United States national champion in the 3000 meters steeplechase.[6]

He continued in the sport as an official.[2]

Olympic career

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At the 1952 Olympics Druetzler won his heat, finished 4th in his semi-final, and finished 12th in the final.[7]

Military career

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Druetzler served in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Captain by the time he retired from the reserves.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Keating, Kara (26 September 2017). "Former Olympian Warren Druetzler dies at 88". The State News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Display Article". www.trackandfieldnews.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-28.
  3. ^ "Records & History". IHSA. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023.
  4. ^ "NCAA XC Stats - 3- & 4-Time Top-10 Finishers". Trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  5. ^ "Track & Field History : NCAA Champions" (PDF). Grfx.cstv.com. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  6. ^ "USA Track & Field - USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions". USATF. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Warren Druetzler Bio, Stats, and Results | Olympics at". Sports-reference.com. 1929-06-08. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  8. ^ "History 1952 - United States Army Olympians". Army.mil. Retrieved 2016-07-19.