Former University of distance runner Paul Geis died Wednesday, apparently of a pulmonary embolism. He was 66.
Geis transferred to Oregon from Rice University in Houston, and competed for the Ducks in in 1974 and 1975. He was NCAA champion in the three-mile run in 1974, and second in the NCAA three-mile final in 1975.
He was a 1976 U.S. Olympian, placing 12th in the in the 5,000 meters. Geis still stands sixth on Oregon’s career list in the 5,000 with a time of 13 minutes, 23.4 seconds. The five runners ahead of him are Bill McChesney Jr., Edward Cheserek, Rudy Chapa, Alberto Salazar and Steve Prefontaine.
Former UO track star Steve Bence roomed withGeis at Oregon. Bence remembered Geis as a smart, intense and driven athlete -- much like Prefontaine. The two developed something of a rivalry.
“I think Paul was more like Pre than Pre wanted to admit,” Bence said.
-- Ken Goe
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| Paul with your intrepid reporters a few years ago in Eugene. |
Very, very sad,
I got to know Paul (U of Oregon) at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. I was his supplier of Tiger shoes. Paul made the finals in the 5000M. Paul was fun to be around. Brash and outspoken in a nice way!
He will be deeply missed!
John Bork
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