By Jeanne Mack
June 24, 2017
The men’s 1500m final at USAs today was all over the place. It was a parade of one shocking, unexpected development after the other as Olympic gold medalist Matthew Centrowitz led for a good portion of the race before a big move by Ben Blankenship. With a lap to go, the contenders were Andrews, Centrowitz, Blankenship and Engels. With only 200m to go, those four had separated themselves even more from the rest of the pack. Andrews was closing in, looking like he would snatch the win from Centrowitz, but the biggest surprise was still brewing on the track. Johnny Gregorek had come through in 10th place at the bell before unleashing a monster kick onto the final home stretch. He streaked past the chase pack into fourth place, but DID NOT STOP. He gunned for Craig Engels, who was racing to the line in third place. Gregorek ate up the final meters and crossed the line two tenths of a second ahead of Engels in a photo finish.
Not technically an actual Rhode Islander, but basically a defacto state favorite, the Massachusetts-native, Columbia and Oregon-grad instantly had Twitter a-buzz. To emphasize his incredible finish, let’s go to the USATF live results stats for a second and relish in this- JG came from 10th place at 1100 meters, to finish third and make his first Worlds team.
The running community on Twitter lost its mind:
I'm still shaking! @JohnnyGregorek with his parents screaming and crying on the other line pic.twitter.com/eD5UdfFOXq
— Kyle Merber (@TheRealMerb) June 24, 2017
@JohnnyGregorek makes a US world team?!?! WHAT IS THIS!??!!!
— J Wolf (@jrwolfson) June 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/Everswoll/status/878731438853464064
JOHNNY EFFIN GREGOREK, SEEKONK, RI NATIVE THAT IS MY BOYYYYYYYYYYY
— Jeanne Mack (@JMMackattack) June 24, 2017
Johnny!!!!!
— Will B-P (@Will_BP) June 24, 2017
🙌🏻#oceanstate https://t.co/t6DDUQvSKQ
— Molly Huddle (@MollyHuddle) June 24, 2017
My heart rate is just coming down now @JohnnyGregorek!
— Kyle Cooke (@KCooke321) June 24, 2017
Holy shit @JohnnyGregorek
— Colby Alexander (@okaycolby) June 24, 2017
.@JohnnyGregorek!!! 🔥🔥🔥
— Joe Stilin (@StilinIt) June 24, 2017
Woo @JohnnyGregorek !
— Andy Bayer (@TeddyBayer1500) June 24, 2017
.@lmwallace800 was/is so excited for @JohnnyGregorek I'm afraid she's gonna leave me for him. #TeamJohnny
— Forrest Misenti (@FORRE5T) June 24, 2017
I NEED MORE @JohnnyGregorek TWEETS!!!!! WOOOOO
— Ford Palmer (@GoFordPalmer) June 24, 2017
True American Hero. Johnny Gregorek!!!
— Chris Giesting (@the_geese) June 24, 2017
I don't know @JohnnyGregorek "well", but I do know this is very good for America.
— Stephen Kersh (@StephenKersh) June 24, 2017
Jeanne Mack
Once raced in a poodle shirt which may or may not be a shirt for a poodle. Unfortunately the type of person who does not let little kids win at competitive games. Often cries while running. Currently in grad school to learn to write sentences with subjects. East Coast transplant to Flagstaff, missing NYC bodegas, New England accents and Rhode Island Del's, but not urine-and-vomit scented subway rides. Twitter and Instagram @jmmackattack