Lauren Jespersen (5th, West)

Lauren Jespersen runs front and center at the start of the 2001 Foot Locker West Regional. (Photos by Brian J. Myers @PhotoRun, click to enlarge)

Hometown: Klamath Falls, OR
High School: Klamath Union High School
Year of Graduation: 2003

Lauren Jespersen has gone from last to first in one year. A year ago, he was one of the favorites at the Oregon 4A State Meet. He was running with the lead pack when he collapsed; he was able to eventually walk across the finish line, finishing last. He erased last year's disappointment this fall when he sprinted to victory in 15:29 ahead of Klamath Union teammate Jacob Gomez (who also ran 15:29). Gomez, a senior, ran close behind Jespersen all season before having a rough day at the Foot Locker West Regional, finishing 60th.

Other Notes:
...It was snowing in Klamath Falls the week before Nationals... Two-time Foot Locker Finalist Ian Dobson, now running for Stanford, also attended Klamath Union High School... Jesperson finished 21st at last year's West Regional...

In the News:
Finishes second at the Nike Border Clash
Border Clash Profile
Klamath Union's boy flying high (11/4/01)
Wins Oregon 4-A State Meet (11/3/01)
Rumors on internet are untrue (11/01/01)
KU discovers a Rose to help make a title run (10/29/01)
Pelicans dominate district meet (10/28/01)
Gomez leads KU boys to SOC meet (10/25/01)
KU runners dominate meet (10/19/01)
Wins Lava Bear Classic | Jespersen, Pel boys win (10/13/01)
Jespersen second, KU fifth at Stanford | Pels' performance not shocking [results] (9/29/01)
Jespersen wins Southern Oregon Conference meet (9/28/01)
Duo leads KU to pre-district win (9/20/01)
Jespersen second in 33:08 at Pre 10k road race (9/16/01)
KU boys run to victory over Crater (9/14/01)
Cross country teams eye state (9/5/01)