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Edward Graham to deliver keynote for Blowing Rock Men’s Connection ‘Summer Breakfast’ on July 30

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Edward Graham to deliver keynote for Blowing Rock Men’s Connection ‘Summer Breakfast’ on July 30

By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — A 16-year veteran of the U.S. Army and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and now the Chief Operating Officer overseeing the domestic and international operations of Boone-headquartered Samaritan’s Purse, Edward Graham will deliver the keynote address for the Men’s Connection “14th Annual Summer Breakfast” on July 30, 8:30 a.m., in the Evergreen Room of Chetola Mountain Resort in Blowing Rock.

Graham is the youngest son of Samaritan’s Purse founder Franklin Graham and the grandson of the late, internationally renowned evangelist, Billy Graham. In his role as COO of the faith-based relief organization with worldwide reach, Graham “…frequently travels to disaster areas to coordinate operations and encourage families impacted by catastrophic events. He also meets with key government officials and church leaders in affected areas to establish relationships, coordination, and other essential support as staff and volunteers work to meet critical needs on the ground,” according to biographical information published on the Samaritan’s Purse website.

Edward Graham surveys hurricane damage in Acapulco. Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

His operational leadership has taken him on a variety of disaster responses, including major world crises, including the war in Ukraine, the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.

Graham “… is often also with our first teams on the ground in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters in the United States, such as the 2021 tornado that ripped through Mayfield, KY. Under his leadership, Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers have helped thousands of families begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Graham has responsibility for ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the ministry’s locations in the U.S. and around the world reflect the highest standards of Biblical integrity, a commitment to excellence in our work, and above all, a dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says the Web based biography.

Edward Graham, left, with Samaritan’s Purse volunteers and hurricane victim in Florida. Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

During his 16 years with the U.S. Army, Graham served in multiple combat deployments within Special Operations, the biography continues, in various leadership positions. In the winter of 2018, “… he felt called by the Lord to return home and serve in the ministry.”

Graham and wife Kristy have been married for 20 years, with one daughter and three sons.

The Blowing Rock-based Men’s Connection is a non-denominational, men’s Bible study group that meets weekly each Tuesday, 7:15 a.m., at Chetola’s Manor House Restaurant. It has met regularly since 2009. The group is currently engaged in an exhaustive study of Acts, the discussion led by one of the group founders, Tucker Yates.

“This annual Summer Breakfast is a very special occasion in which we have a featured speaker, invite the wives and significant others, and really anyone in the community who wants to learn more about their faith. There is no admission charge. This is not a fundraiser and it is not a political event. I expect the morning events should all be completed by 10 a.m.,” Yates said at the group’s July 2 study session. “Everyone is welcome.”

A partial list of Samaritan’s Purse current and ongoing disaster relief activities:

  • FLOOD RESPONSE: LeSeur County, Minn.
  • FLOOD RESPONSE: Spencer, Iowa
  • FIRE RESPONSE: Ruidoso, N.M.
  • TORNADO RESPONSE: Claremore, Okla.
  • TORNADO RESPONSE: Benton County, Ark.
  • TORNADO RESPONSE: Bell County, Texas
  • TORNADO RESPONSE: Tallahassee, Fla.
  • FLOOD RESPONSE: Southeast Texas
  • REBUILD: Clarksville, Tenn.
  • REBUILD: Western Kentucky
  • HURRICANE RESPONSE: Hurricane Beryl in Southern Caribbean
  • EMERGENCY SHELTER: Eastern Ukraine
  • RELIEF (Food and Supplies): Israel-Gaza
  • FLOOD RESPONSE: Brazil
  • STARVATION RELIEF: Sudan

 

More of the Same… OR …Much Ado About Nothing?

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More of the Same… OR …Much Ado About Nothing?

By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — For at least the better part of 50 years, the Town of Blowing Rock’s Fire, Police and Public Works departments have relied on two-way radio communications to connect with one another. Whether hand-held, shoulder-mounted or vehicle-installed devices, the low frequency radio technology has proven not only safely effective but cost efficient and less visually impactful compared with other potential solutions.

What is required, however, is a relatively clear line of sight between a central transmission pole and the end users. At the very least, there must be a clear line of sight between the transmission utility pole and any facilitating “repeaters” scattered around town to augment a radio signal at any given time.

It has served the Town well but now there is a problem: the trees grew.

Because it is the highest point in town providing the best opportunity for clear line of sight throughout the area, in the 1960s or 1970s (the exact date was apparently not recorded) our city fathers at the time erected a 60-foot, wooden utility pole in the middle of Green Hill Circle, adjacent to the town’s three million gallon capacity water tank, all on town-owned property. It was a decision that has served the town well.

Many, if not most of the homes dotting the Green Hill neighborhood arrived long after the water tank and radio utility pole, but cognizant that such a large water storage tank (it is six times bigger than the tank at the water plant along U.S. 321) might not be the prettiest neighbor to the expensive homes being built on Green Hill Circle, the Town planted trees around the water tank, to effectively hide it.

But now there is a problem. While they do a great job of shielding the water tank from the residential neighbors’ and their visitors’ respective views, the trees have grown to a point where they reduce or impede the quality of the radio signals from the utility pole. The “line of sight” is no longer clear and reduced quality transmissions hamper the ability of Fire, Police and Public Works personnel to communicate with one another.

Replacing an old utility pole with a new one is a much more elegant — and environmentally friendly — solution than clear-cutting a tree canopy.

Town staff has two alternative solutions for addressing the impaired communications. They could, of course, clear-cut all or most of the trees around the water tank, removing the canopy that is interfering with line-of-sight transmissions. While that seems extreme, keeping the Green Hill Circle neighbors in firewood for a fair amount of time might prove welcome compensation for what would no longer be camouflaged views of the water storage tank!

The second solution, though, is being proposed by town staff and the issue will go before the Planning Board on July 11 and later addressed by a special public hearing of Town Council. That solution? Buy a new, 80-foot utility pole that restores the line of sight above the trees. According to Town Manager Shane Fox, that should work for 20-30 years until the trees’ continued growth becomes potentially problematic again.

What is NOT being proposed, Fox explained to Blowing Rock News in a July 1 interview, is any other kind of communications equipment.

“This is not for commercial cell phone usage nor for other law enforcement agencies, like the previously proposed VIPER technologies used by the Highway Patrol,” said Fox. “This is strictly for enabling us to do what we have always done with these low frequency, two-way radios. Any use or application other than what is in this conditional zoning proposal would require a different public hearing. The town is not in the cell phone business. Again, this is just to allow us to do what we have been doing for the last half century or more.”

In the end, this conditional zoning proposal is to get town council’s approval for replacing the wooden, 60-foot utility pole with a galvanized (more weather resistant and durable), 80-foot pole, to regain that necessary clear line of sight. It improves public safety as well as the responsiveness of Fire, Police and Public Works to everyone served by the Town, which of course includes the nearby residents on Green Hill.

Replacing a single utility pole is a far more elegant solution than cutting down trees around the water storage tank. There are some in town circulating disinformation about the project and they should be ignored. They simply don’t get it or believe there is some kind of hidden agenda. There is not.

The Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners would be well served to approve this conditional zoning petition which, unlike the quasi-judicial, special use permit process, allows the decision makers to speak with those in the know: the town staff, public works, fire and police personnel who use the subject equipment every day.

And that is how I see it.

Legends Gala breaks another record, Carter opens up

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Legends Gala breaks another record, Carter opens up

By Bret Strelow. BOONE, N.C. — One question resonated with Omar Carter as he faced an uncertain future at App State.

Thinking back to that same question provided helpful perspective following a life-changing health emergency.

“Do you even want to be here?”

Carter, a standout for App State Men’s Basketball from 2010-12, served as the keynote speaker Friday at the 2024 Legends Gala: Forever a Mountaineer, presented by Double Wood Farm. The event raised a record $340,000+ and has raised more than $1.25 million in support of App State student-athletes since its 2017 inception.

App State athletic director Doug Gillin acknowledges someone in the crowd at the Legends Gala, June 28. Photo by David Katzenmaier

Carter was one of six individuals recognized as a legend, addressing a large crowd that included fellow legends Katie Boyd (softball), Lindsay Edmonds (women’s basketball), Jerry Harmon (football), Mike Ramsey (baseball) and Kate Ward (soccer).

Carter earned all-conference and all-district honors as an App State junior in 2010-11 before leading the team in scoring as a senior in 2011-12, but the transition wasn’t smooth following his transfer from Charleston Southern, where he had averaged 14.4 points over his first two Division I seasons.

when asked the question, Carter lowered his head and started crying…

Dell Curry’s endorsement of Carter, a Charlotte native, to then-coach Buzz Peterson played a big role in Carter’s relocation to Boone, and NCAA transfer rules at the time forced him to sit out the 2009-10 season.

After struggling academically during his first semester at App State, Carter met with academic advisor Jean Roberts — Miss Jean — and was asked a direct question.

“Do you even want to be here?”

Carter lowered his head and started crying, but Roberts quickly reassured Carter that he would succeed if he followed her direction and advice.

“That’s the Appalachian way,” Carter recalled Friday. “We have coaches, educators, our parents — everything that’s in this room. That’s everything I thought about on the way up here, how she pretty much saved my life.

Former App State football head coach Jerry Moore shares a moment with his former quarterback, Armanti Edwards, at the June 28 Legends Gala. Photo by David Katzenmaier

“We as athletes are tested through our studies, through our social life, through our performance, all while trying to balance all those things at once. As athletes we are afforded the opportunity to learn to work through trial and error, whether that’s as a cohesive unit or as one. You learn focus and perseverance and dealing with adversity. That’s what I was dealing with at the time. I believe these are all the ingredients that this great university taught me as July 9, 2013 came about.”

That’s the Appalachian way.

Carter, who played professionally overseas following his App State career, was on the court back in Charlotte during the summer of 2013 when he suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

Unconscious on the court, he received CPR for 13 minutes until an emergency transport arrived. Carter ended up in a local hospital on life support and in a medically induced coma, but he fully recovered and later founded the Omar Carter Foundation with a mission to prepare others to assist in the case of a cardiac emergency.

“I remember leaving the hospital,” Carter recalled, “sitting in my room for a month or two, and the thing that came back in my mind is what Jean Roberts had told me. ‘Do you even want to be here?’ This was outside of App. This was life, and this is what she had groomed me for.”

Those impactful words from Roberts contributed to more success, with a grateful Carter sharing his incredible story to the attentive crowd of App State-affiliated guests Friday night.

This was life, and this is what she had groomed me for.

Charley Belcher emceed the annual event, with Director of Athletics Doug Gillin making introductory remarks in the Grandview Ballroom of the North End Zone facility. A fireworks show beyond the south end zone of Kidd Brewer Stadium provided entertainment following a live auction that included contributions that will increase scholarship support for App State student-athletes.

“We get a lot of good friends together, we get to celebrate legends and we get to hang out and break bread together with friends,” Gillin said. “That’s what being a Mountaineer is all about.”

RIBBON-CUTTING: Sweet Mimi’s

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RIBBON-CUTTING: Sweet Mimi’s

Special Report. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Celebrating Sweet Mimi’s grand opening with Kate and her family was a delight. The new store has created quite a stir on Main Street in Blowing Rock with its outstanding clothing and accessories selection.

RIBBON CUTTING: Firelight Book & Candle

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RIBBON CUTTING: Firelight Book & Candle

Special Report. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Firelight Book & Candle on Sunset Drive celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store features an array of books and exquisite candles that were revealed to a gathered crowd of well-wishers. The owners are Lucy and Pat Strickland.

High Country’s van der Els advances to Men’s 5000m final at U.S. Olympic Trials with torrid final 800m in Heat 2

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High Country’s van der Els advances to Men’s 5000m final at U.S. Olympic Trials with torrid final 800m in Heat 2

By David Rogers. EUGENE, Ore. — Most mere mortals are challenged to run 800 meters in under two minutes, much less doing so after a fast-paced 4,200 meters. But that is exactly what 10 runners did on June 27 to advance to the 5,000-meter semifinals of the U.S. Olympic Trials — including Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance’s Eric van der Els.

van der Els, now in his second year training with the High Country’s professional distance running team of elite athletes, covered the last 800 meters in 1:55.

“He ran unreal,” said ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea after the race.

The former University of Connecticut star at 1500 meters and 5000 meters on the track, as well as in cross country, now advances to the U.S. Olympic Trials’ final on Sunday, June 30, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT.

ZAP Endurance has one other athlete still in the mix for the U.S. Olympic Team. Amanda Vestri runs in the 10,000-meter final on Saturday, June 29, slated for 9:09 p.m. EDT.

The U.S. Olympic Trials are televised on NBC, USA and Peacock channels. Check local listings for exact broadcast schedules.

Blowing Rock’s Colley surges to personal best in the Men’s 10,000 Meters at U.S. Trials

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Blowing Rock’s Colley surges to personal best in the Men’s 10,000 Meters at U.S. Trials

By David Rogers. EUGENE, Ore. — With under six laps to go in the Men’s 10,000 Meters final at the U.S. Olympic Trials on June 21, Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance’s Andrew Colley decided the pace was much too slow. His long, flowing locks sweeping back and forth behind him, the veteran marathoner and cross-country runner surged to the front of the star-studded field of U.S. athletes, pushing the pace faster.

Grant Fisher, the pre-race favorite from Michigan, the veteran and 2-time national champion Woody Kincaid, and the 21-yearold NCAA champion at 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters, Nico Young, went with Colley, eventually overtaking him and finishing 1-2-3 to secure positions on the U.S. Olympic Team going to Paris. While the slow early pace meant that none of the runners crossed the finish line under the Olympic standard of 27 minutes, all three of the top runners had already beaten that mark in earlier races this season.

For his part, Colley faded to a No. 8 finish but still established a personal best for the 10,000 meters distance. Of interest: Colley was the only runner in the field to record a pers

ZAP Endurance had two of the top 10 U.S. runners in the 10,000 Meters finals, including Andrew Colley’s personal best.

For much of the early half of the race, the field broke into two groups, with Colley coasting at the back of the 6-man lead group and ZAP Endurance teammate Ryan Ford positioned near the rear of the second group.

Ford, however, was among the second pack runners who helped reel in the lead pack to form what amounted to a “peloton,” if put in cycling terms. At one point, Ford rallied to run among the top three athletes on the track before tucking in behind Colley in about sixth place.

But with six laps to go, Colley pushed to the front, perhaps hoping to run away from the field and take away any last lap finishing kick opportunities harbored by the pre-race favorites. Fisher and Kincaid, both running under the NIKE banner, as well as Young (Northern Arizona University) and adidas athlete Drew Hunter were up to the challenge.

“In a field featuring 24 of the nation’s best runners at the 10,000 meters distance, for ZAP Endurance to have two athletes in the top 10 is pretty special,” ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea said after the race. “I am really proud of our guys, especially Andrew’s personal best. Both of them continue to get better and better.”

ZAP Endurance still has three opportunities to send a High Country athlete to the Paris Olympics as a member of the U.S. team. Colley and Eric van der Els compete in the first round of the Men’s 5,000 Meters on Thursday, June 27, with the Final set for Sunday, June 30, and Amanda Vestri toes the line in the Women’s 10,000 Meters Final on Saturday, June 29.

Also of High Country interest among the events run on June 21 at the Olympic Trials, Boone’s Abby Cooper just missed advancing to the semifinals of the Women’s 5,000 Meters, finishing No. 7 in a slow-paced Heat 2. The top six finishers of each heat advanced, plus the three fastest of the other runners. All three of the auto-qualifiers came from the faster-paced Heat 1.

Elle St. Pierre (New Balance Boston) ran away with Heat 1, challenged by veteran Karissa Schweizer (NIKE/Bowerman Track Club) and recent NCAA champion Parker Valby (University of Florida). Elise Cranny took top honors in Heat 2, which also featured former NC State runner Katelyn Tuohy, now running for adidas. Heat 2 was also a debut of sorts for Elizabeth Leachman, who just completed her sophomore year at Boerne Champion High School, a suburb of San Antonio, Texas. Leachman finished No. 13 in the heat but the 16-yearold gave notice that the running world may be hearing more from her in the future.

RESULTS: Men’s 10,000 Meters Final

PLACE ATHLETE AFFILIATION TIME
1 Grant Fisher NIKE 27:49.47
2 Woody Kincaid NIKE 27:50.74
3 Nico Young Northern Arizona Univ. 27:52.40
4 Drew Hunter adidas 27:53.35
5 Casey Clinger Brigham Young Univ. 27:59.71
6 Conner Mantz NIKE 28:00.90
7 Sam Chelanga Saucony 28:04.36
8 Andrew Colley ZAP Endurance 28:05.05
9 Ryan Ford ZAP Endurance 28:08.72
10 Paul Chelimo American Distance Project 28:18.31
11 Chandler Gibbens Kansas University 28:31.63
12 Futsum Zienasellassie HOKA NAZ Elite 28:32.43
13 Wil Smith Gonzaga University 28:33.30
14 Alex Phillip University of North Carolina 28:35.15
15 Zach Panning Hansons-Brooks Distance Project 28:36.82
16 Aidan Reed Tracksmith/Roots Running Project 28:59.54
17 Creed Thompson Brigham Young University 29:06.38
18 Afewirki Zeru McKirdy Trained 29:06.77
19 Ryan Johnson Unattached 29:30.13
20 Aidan O’Gorman University of North Florida 29:55.42
21 Ben Perrin Montana State University 30:09.11
22 Evan Jenkins University of Washington 30:33.47
DNF Dillon Maggard BROOKS Beasts Track Club
DNF Alex Maier Oklahoma State University

Molly Atkins Bowden, 91

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Molly Atkins Bowden, 91

Molly Bowden of Blowing Rock, NC, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living. She was 91 years old.

Molly is survived by her daughter, Margaret Bowden Gilleskie and husband Mark of Blowing Rock, NC; her two granddaughters, Molly Presnell and husband Austin of Banner Elk, and Maggie Gilleskie of Charlotte, NC; a step great-grandson, Aiden Presnell of Banner Elk; her niece, Julie Thomas of Richmond VA and her family; her cousin Cathi Turner of Durham, NC and her family and siblings and a special friend and caregiver, Marie Weaver.

Molly was born in Durham, NC on December 3rd, 1932, to Charles and Mabel Atkins. Molly was a graduate of Women’s College (now UNC-Greensboro) with a BA in Music as an Organ Major. Music was a large part of her life, playing as an organist for churches and friends and families’ weddings in her early career. The majority of her career was spent as a Secretary for the Chaplain’s Program at Duke University Hospital, where she retired in 1995. She made many lifelong friends while working at Duke. She moved to Boone, NC in 1998 after her two granddaughters were born. Molly loved the North Carolina mountains as well as the beach, especially Holden and Kure Beaches in NC. She was a sports lover, an avid UNC fan, especially UNC basketball and a Braves baseball fan. She was a member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, NC. Molly loved her family more than anything and was fortunate to live close to them in her later years and played a large part in her granddaughters’ lives. She was known to her granddaughters and many of their friends as ‘Grandmommy’.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Jim Heldman, and the father of her daughter, Jack Bowden, to whom she was married to for 22 years.

We would like to say a special thank you to Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living and Medi Home Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Molly in her last months.

A private service will be held at a later date, and Molly’s ashes will be spread in Durham per her wishes.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Largest crowd yet celebrates Jerry Burns Day

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Largest crowd yet celebrates Jerry Burns Day

By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — It was just what the doctor ordered: the largest crowd to participate in Jerry Burns Day history, a deserving award, plenty of humor and insight to go around — and a lot of fun reminisces and stories as recalled by Dr. Bunky Davant. Most of them were probably true.

In memory of the late “Mr. Blowing Rock,” Jerry Burns, the June 18 celebration of his birthday and life resonated with most of the Blowing Rock Historical Society members and assorted other townsfolks at the American Legion Building. Burns, who for 44 years was Editor of The Blowing Rocket and served on just about every board in town as well as found time to be a volunteer fireman, passed away on April 19, 2010. A member of Rotary, a former member of the Board of Commissioners, the unofficial town photographer and historian, an ardent supporter of Blowing Rock Stage Company… the list goes on and on when it comes to Jerry Burns.

A good crowd gathered in the American Legion Building on June 18 for Jerry Burns Day. Photo by David Rogers

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce has named its Ambassadorial Award after him. The town and Historical Society have recognized June 18 as “his day.”

Mayor Charlie Sellers recalled aspects of Burns’ contributions before presenting the inaugural “Jerry Burns Award” from the Blowing Rock Historical Society to a surprised current president, Tom O’Brien.

Tom O’Brien, the current president of the Blowing Rock Historical Society, was the surprised recipient of the organization’s first ‘Jerry Burns Award’ on June 18, on Jerry Burns Day in Blowing Rock. Photo by David Rogers

“Tom has been pushing the Historical Society board to come up with an award recognizing someone each year who contributes to preserving the history of Blowing Rock or who adds to our history in a significant, positive way,” Sellers explained to Blowing Rock News with a smile after the Jerry Burns Day celebration. “He thought we were going to start it next year, not knowing that the Board got together without him. These past eight years, he has just done a tremendous job in building on the work of so many other presidents before him, beginning with Ginny Stevens. This is a well-deserved recognition and we thank him for his vision and service.”

Everyone got to enjoy birthday cake and chocolate covered strawberries on June 18, celebrating Jerry Burns Day at Blowing Rock’s American Legion Building. Photo by David Rogers

Following the award presentation, O’Brien turned the podium over to longtime resident and area physician, Dr. Bunky Davant, who regaled the crowd with stories and recollections of significant personalities who have contributed to Blowing Rock’s history and culture. He noted that most of them didn’t have a lot of money, but were fixtures in town on a day-to-day basis. He went up and down Main Street, recalling folks like Coleman, Klutz and Harris, among others. He got a lot of laughs when telling a story about a local prostitute.

“I knew her because of MY profession, not hers,” he said.

The audience members enjoyed food and beverages provided by the Historical Society, including a “favorite birthday cake of Jerry’s,” prepared by his wife, Janice Burns.

Two more ZAP runners earn spots at U.S. Olympic Trials — with a nod to ‘losing’ MVP teammate

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Two more ZAP runners earn spots at U.S. Olympic Trials — with a nod to ‘losing’ MVP teammate

By David Rogers. PORTLAND, Ore. — Whether consciously or sub-consciously, a long distance runner’s otherwise losing performance can make him a track team’s MVP on any given day.

Blowing Rock-based ZAP Endurance team member Ryan Ford unofficially earned that honor  on June 9 while competing in a 5000-meter race at the Portland Track Festival.

Ford, who was joined by ZAP teammates Andrew Colley and Eric van der Els in the elite international field for the 5000 race in Portland, had previously qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials (June 21-29, Eugene, Ore.) at the 10,000 meters distance. All three were hoping to automatically qualify at the shorter, 5000-meter distance, too, by running faster than 13:25, the auto-qualifying standard set for the Trials. The Portland event was the last opportunity before the qualifying window closed, according to ZAP Endurance head coach Pete Rea.

“The race started out slow,” Rea recalled to High Country Sports. “So Ryan picked it up and did all of the heavy lifting. He pulled the rest of the pack with him until burning out with two laps to go. He didn’t win but his understanding what was needed and his initiative vs. our goals proved critical.”

Without Ford’s torrid pace, Rea said, there was a lower probability that van der Els, Colley and the other top seven competitors would have bettered the automatic-qualifying standard because of the slow, early pace.

As it turned out, both van der Els and Colley lowered their personal bests for the 5000m, to 13:21.78 and 13:23:24, respectively, in placing No. 4 and No. 6 in the elite field.

Dylan Jacobs, running under the Switzerland-based On athletic apparel banner, finished No.1 (13:18.18), followed by India national team member Gulveer Singh (13:18.92) at No. 2 and Wesley Kiptoo (13:21.77) at No. 3 (just 1/100th of a second ahead of ZAP’s van der Els).

van der Els’ No.4 finish established a new ZAP Endurance team record for the 5000-meter distance, the long-standing old record set by Tommy Morgan (13:27; 2004-2011). Morgan, who now lives in Oregon with his wife and children, was on hand to help celebrate the ZAP team’s accomplishments.

Also among the 20-man field of runners in the 5000-meter event was Daniel Simmons, an American Fork High School (Utah) athlete who smashed his own national high school record in finishing No. 8, in 13:25.86, a fraction of a second short of the automatic qualifying standard for  U.S. Trials.

ZAP Endurance, the Blowing Rock-based, professional running team organized in 2001 by former women’s elite marathoner Zika Rea, will have almost half of their elite distance running team members competing in Eugene’s U.S. Olympic Trials, vying for berths representing the United States at the Paris Olympics.

  • Women’s 10,000m: Amanda Vestri
  • Men’s 10,000m: Ryan Ford, Andrew Colley
  • Men’s 5000m: Eric van der Els, Andrew Colley

Of the other members of the ZAP team, Tristin Van Ord, Tyler Pennel, Josh Izewski, Annmarie Tuxbury and Whitney Macon are focused on the marathon. Dan Schaffer just missed qualifying for the U.S. Trials at 1500 meters.

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