EUGENE – Chris Derrick graduated from college four years ago hyped as America’s next great distance runner.
Fresh off walking the graduation stage at Stanford, Derrick finished fourth in the 10,000 meters at the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Most expected to see him back in 2016 – this time on the podium after punching a ticket to Rio.
Things haven’t worked out quite as well since.
“The last 15 months have been a real learning experience in terms of failing and the cycle of injuries,” Derrick said after finishing fifth in the Olympic Trials 10,000 meters on Friday.