Familiar Face in Steeplechase

I was watching the 3,000-meter steeplechase preliminary heats Thursday night at the U.S. Track and Field Championships, and who was among those who moved on to the finals? It was none other than Derek Scott, the winner of the 2009 Community bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th. When he came to Elmhurst and won the 4-miler produced by the Elmhurst Running Club, he set the current course record of 19:07. When I met him, I found him to be a perfect gentleman. Her had come up from Bloomington, IN, to run the 4-miler that takes place this year on July 4 (www.4on4th.com). In Thursday's steeplechase prelim, Scott ran an 8:41.02, giving him the 8th-best qualifying time of 14 who made the final. I now have someone to root for in the steeple final. Go, Derek, go!