Ruth Wysocki

Who is Ruth Wysocki?

Ruth Wysocki is an American middle distance runner who specialized in the 800 meters and 1500 metres.

Wysocki began track competition in age-group races in the late 1960s, and continued her track career over a period of about 30 years, until she became a Masters runner in 1997. Wysocki was a standout performer in the 800m at Azusa High School, winning the California State championship at 440 y and 880 y. Wysocki attended the University of Redlands, where she excelled at 400 and 800 m. Wysocki first won fame in American middle-distance running when she upset Mary Decker to win the 1978 US Champsionships 800m in 2:01.99. Wysocki scored another upset victory against Decker at the 1984 US Olympic Trials, this time at 1500 m. Wysocki outsprinted Slaney to win the Trials in 4:00.18. At the 1984 Summer Olympics she finished sixth in 800 m and eighth in 1500 m. She finished seventh in 1500 m at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics in Gothenburg.

In 1997, Wysocki set several Masters records at distances from 800 m - 5000 m on the track, and 5k and 8k road races. Her father, Willis Kleinsasser, was also a successful Masters athlete. Her brother, Alan Kleinsasser, ran 1:50.5 for 800 m and 3:52.2 for 1500 m, both school records at Caltech.