GETTING TO KNOW......Dustin Betz

Prior to Saturday's U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon in Los Angeles we caught up with Dustin Betz, 26, of Schnellville, Ind. to learn more about his running, how he felt when he learned he had qualified for the Trials, and his life beyond running; including, who he would most like to have lunch with, his role model, and his favorite athlete.
 
This will Dustin’s first Olympic Trials.  
 
So let's get to know Dustin a bit better...

How did you start running?

Born into a family of runners. Grew up watching my brother and sisters competing at the high school and college levels. My father coached track and cross-country at Northeast Dubois HS for 40 years I followed him and his teams around since birth. Started my running career in 6th grade. 

Where did you qualify for the Trials?

I qualified for the trials at the Indianapolis monumental marathon on Nov. 7th 2015. I ran a time of 1:04:50. 
 

Tell us about the point you realized you had qualified for the Trials and how it felt.

Running into the finish line I didn’t know my time because the finish line clock was not working. After crossing the line I looked down at my watch and knew I had made the cut. 
 

High School

Northeast Dubois HS, 2008 (Dubois, Indiana)
 

High School Best Times

• 800m: 1:58
• 1600m: 4:17
• 3200m: 9:39
• Pole Vault: 12’9”

High School Highlights

• 7th place at the Indiana State Track Meet, 1600m (2008)
• Ran 4:17 at the Midwest Meet of Champions in the 1600m (2008)

College

Indiana State University (2013)

College Best Times

• 1500m: 3:47
• 1 Mile: 4:05
• 3000m: 8:14
• 3000m Steeple: 8:47
• 5000m: 14:27 

College Highlights

• MVC steeplechase champion 2011
• 2013 NCAA East Regional, 3K steeple – Qualified for NCAA Finals (6th place)
• 2013 NCAA Track & Field Champs- 3K Steeplechase (23rd)
• 3x MVC Cross Country Champions
• 3x MVC Indoor Champs
• 3x MVC Outdoor Track Champs

Club/Sponsor

Janji Corps

Current Coach

Coach Ron Mann

Number of Olympic Trials

1st Olympic Trials

Occupation

Assistant Project Manager at Ramsey Development LLC
Co-Pilot for Ramsey Development LLC

Something unique about you

I am a pilot

Favorite Workout

20x400m w/ 1min recovery- declining pace

Favorite Place to Train

Home - the hills of the Betz family farm

Favorite Food

Sushi

If you could have lunch with one person who would it be? 

Abraham Lincoln

Dinner? 

John the Baptist

Your Role Model

My parents (Vic and Connie)  

Favorite Athlete

My father Vic Betz, and/or Ryan Hall 

Goal at Trials

Conquer my 1st Olympic trials marathon feeling accomplished and knowing I left it all out on the course.