LEONEL MANZANO

Event: 1,500m
Height: 5-5
Weight: 125
PR: 1,500m - 3:35.29 (2007); Mile - 3:56.98 (2008)
Born: Sept. 12, 1984, in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico
Current Residence: Austin, Texas
High School: Marble Falls H.S. ‘04
College: University of Texas ‘08
Coach: Jason Vigilante

Career Highlights: 2008 Olympic Trials runner-up; 2008 NCAA Outdoor 1,500m champion; 2007 USA & NCAA Outdoors 1,500m runner-up; 3rd at 2006 USA Outdoors; 2006 NCAA Indoor mile champion; 2005 NCAA Outdoor champion

In finishing second in the 1,500 meters at the 2008 Olympic Trials, Manzano becomes the first University of Texas Longhorn 1500m runner to make the U.S. Olympic squad and the second UT miler to earn an Olympic bid. A five-time NCAA Champion (two-time indoor mile champion/two-time outdoor 1500m champion/distance medley relay), four-time NCAA Midwest Regional 1500m winner, nine-time All-American and 10-time Big 12 Champion (four-time indoor mile champion/three-time outdoor 1500m champion/three DMR), Manzano capped his UT career in 2008 with a spectacular senior season. The 2008 USTFCCCA (U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) Athlete of the Year claimed three national titles as a senior, winning the indoor mile, taking the outdoor 1500m and leading the distance medley relay to victory indoors. He also won those same three events at the Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Championships. He helped the Horns set a World, American and school record in the distance medley relay (9:25.97) indoors and also broke a 42-year old school-record in the mile with his victorious 3:56.98 clocking at the Texas Relays. He was named the Most Outstanding Performer at both the Texas and Penn Relays. Recognized nationally as a top young middle distance talent, Manzano during his junior year at the University of Texas, grabbed the attention of the track and field world by out-kicking two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat for second place in the 1,500m at the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Championships. His personal best time of 3:35.29 was second only to Alan Webb…That improved on his sixth-place finish at the USA Outdoor Championships in 2006. He won the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championship and is the 2006 NCAA Indoor mile champion…Prepped at Marble Falls High School (Marble Falls, Tex.) where he was a nine-time Texas 4A champion at 800m (twice), 1,600m (twice), 3,200m (twice) and cross country (three times) … claimed the mile, two-mile, and cross country state championships as a sophomore for the Mustangs … also finished 4th in cross country as a freshman, second in the mile as a junior, and 7th in the mile as a senior at state … holds personal bests of 1:50 in the 800m, 4:06 in the 1,600m, and 9:07 at 3,200m … a member of HYPE (Hispanic Youth Promoting Excellence) and PAL's (Peer Assistance & Leadership) programs.

2008: 12th in semifinals at Olympic Games (3:50.33)…2nd at Olympic Trials (3:40.90)…NCAA Outdoor 1500m champion (3:41.25)…6th in opening round at Olympic Games (3:36.67)…1st in mile at Texas Relays (3:56.98PR)…bests of 3:56.98 & 3:36.67.
2007: 2nd at USA Outdoors (3:35.29PR)… 13th in heats at World Outdoors (3:45.97)... 2nd at NCAA Outdoor Championships (3:37.48)…NCAA Midwest Region champion (3:40.21)….Big 12 champion (3:41.60)…NCAA Indoor mile champion (3:59.90)…Big 12 Indoor mile champion (3:58.78PR)…bests of 3:35.29 & 3:58.78i.
2006: 3rd at USA Outdoors (3:39.49)...4th at NCAA Outdoors (3:44.59)…NCAA Midwest Regional Champion (3:42.86)…6th at Big 12 Championships 800m (1:51.78)…7th in Mile at NCAA Indoor Championships…Big 12 Indoor Mile Champion (3:59.86).
2005: Finished undefeated at 1,500m…NCAA Outdoor champion (3:37.13)…NCAA Midwest Regional champion (3:44.93)…Big 12 Outdoor champion (3:45.45)…Big 12 Indoor mile champion (3:59.86).

08/18/08