Drake University cross country and track & field will be one of the most well-represented programs in the nation at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials in February with three Bulldogs racing for the opportunity to represent the United States in the 2020 Olympics.
Drake's tradition of producing some of the nation's top distance talent will be on display when Brogan Austin, Reed Fischer and Emma Huston line up for Feb. 29 race that winds itself through the streets of Atlanta, Ga. Austin is the defending national champion in the event, while Fischer and Huston will both be making their first appearance at the USA Marathon Championship in the event after assembling strong professional careers.
"It's an exciting time for our program to have three alums competing for the opportunity to represent their country on the sport's biggest stage," said acting Drake director of track & field and cross country, Blake Boldon. "It's a testament not only to their work and dedication but to the coaches at Drake, including Dan Hostager, for identifying, coaching and mentoring these tremendously talented athletes."
Fischer earned his spot in the field with a 62:06 finish at the Houston Half-Marathon and will be making his debut in the event while Huston recently punched her ticket to the trials with an 11th-place finish at the California International Marathon in 2:40.39.
The three aim to become the first Drake track and field Olympian since 1960 when Bob Soth competed in the 5,000 meters for the United States.
"We're incredibly proud of everything Brogan, Reed and Emma accomplished here at Drake and it's been incredible to follow their careers and growth as professionals," Boldon added. "It's an exciting time to watch them chase their Olympic dreams."
Brogan Austin, who is the reigning USA marathon national champion, is the most seasoned and decorated of the Bulldog trio. He claimed that title last year with a personal best finish of 2:12.38 in Sacramento, Calif. Austin turned professional in 2015 as a six-time Missouri Valley Conference champion who ranks in the Drake all-time top 10 in four events. A native of Boone, Iowa, Austin claimed Valley outdoor titles in the 5,000 meters (2013) and indoor titles in the 5,000 meters (2012, 2013, 2104) and 3,000 meters (2014). He also won the Valley cross country title in 2011 and had two other top-five finishes. In 2014 he qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championship.
Austin was also a three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-American.
His protege, Reed Fischer, shattered many of Austin's plaudits and records. Following in his mentor's footsteps, Fischer owns the Drake school records in the 5,000 meters, indoor 3,000 and 5,000 meters. The Minnetonka, Minn., native claimed Valley titles in the 10,000 meters (2017) and the indoor 3,000 and 5,000 meters (2017). During his senior year in 2017, he earned All-America honors with a ninth-place finish in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championship. He later qualified for the USA Championship in that event in three-straight years, recording a fourth-place finish in 2018 at Drake Stadium.
Both Austin and Fischer have trained and competed for Tinman Elite in Boulder, Colo.
Fischer competed concurrently with Emma Huston, a local talent from Des Moines, Iowa, who had tremendous success leading the Drake women's cross country and track programs from 2013-16.
Huston blossomed during her senior season at Drake, winning an outdoor Valley title in the 5,000 meters while setting three school records throughout the season in the 10,000 meters and both indoor and outdoor 5,000 meters.
Following graduation, Huston continued her education at Portland State and trains with the Rose City Track Club.
