Warren Druetzler
{{short description|American middle-distance runner}}
Warren Oliver Druetzler (June 8, 1929 – September 21, 2017){{Cite news |last=Keating |first=Kara |date=26 September 2017 |title=Former Olympian Warren Druetzler dies at 88 |work=The State News |url=https://statenews.com/article/2017/09/former-olympian-warren-druetzler-passes-away-at-88 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010135/http://statenews.com/article/2017/09/former-olympian-warren-druetzler-passes-away-at-88 |archive-date=28 September 2017}} was an American athlete, who competed mainly in the 1500 m. Druetzler was a finalist in the 1500 m at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
College career
Growing up in Illinois, he ran for Lyons Township High School where he set the state record in the mile that stood for 23 years.{{cite web |url=https://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/display-article?arId=142653 |title=Display Article |website=www.trackandfieldnews.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010054/https://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/display-article?arId=142653 |archive-date=2017-09-28}} He was the 1947 IHSA State Champion.{{Cite web |title=Records & History |url=https://www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysTrackField/RecordsHistory.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625205653/https://www.ihsa.org/Sports-Activities/Boys-Track-Field/Records-History |archive-date=25 June 2023 |website=IHSA}}
In cross country running Druetzler was a 3-time NCAA top-10 placer and national runner-up (1950) individually for the Michigan State Spartans.{{cite web|url=http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/archivemenu?id=411 |title=NCAA XC Stats - 3- & 4-Time Top-10 Finishers |publisher=Trackandfieldnews.com |access-date=2016-07-19}} He was also a member of two national champion teams (1948 and 1949) and one runner-up team (1950) at the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.
In track and field Druetzler won the NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships title in the mile run in 1951.{{cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/c-track/auto_pdf/track-0708-mg-section4.pdf |title=Track & Field History : NCAA Champions |website=Grfx.cstv.com |access-date=2016-08-20}} He was also a member of the 4x880 yard relay team that set the world record in 1950. That year he was also the United States national champion in the 3000 meters steeplechase.{{Cite web |title=USA Track & Field - USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/statistics/USA-Champions/USAOutdoorTF/men/3000mSC.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826024500/http://www.legacy.usatf.org/statistics/USA-Champions/USAOutdoorTF/men/3000mSC.aspx |archive-date=26 August 2022 |website=USATF}}
Olympic career
At the 1952 Olympics Druetzler won his heat, finished 4th in his semi-final, and finished 12th in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/dr/warren-druetzler-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418104604/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/dr/warren-druetzler-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-04-18 |title=Warren Druetzler Bio, Stats, and Results | Olympics at |website=Sports-reference.com |date=1929-06-08 |access-date=2016-07-19}}
Military career
Druetzler served in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Captain by the time he retired from the reserves.{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil/olympics/2008/history/1952.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813100702/http://www.army.mil/olympics/2008/history/1952.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2008 |title=History 1952 - United States Army Olympians |website=Army.mil |access-date=2016-07-19}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Footer US NC Steeplechase Men}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 1952 Summer Olympics}}
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Category:American male middle-distance runners
Category:American male steeplechase runners
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1952 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic track and field athletes for the United States
Category:Track and field athletes from Chicago
Category:Athletics (track and field) administrators
Category:American referees and umpires
Category:United States Army officers
Category:United States Army reservists
Category:Military personnel from Illinois
Category:NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners
Category:Michigan State Spartans men's track and field athletes