Llano County Journal - Manzano is No. 1 in a lot of ways

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Manzano is No. 1 in a lot of ways

August 10, 2012, 10:00 am by Mark Goodson

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Leo Manzano knows all about making first impressions.

Since coming to Texas as a youth, he’s established himself as No. 1 in a lot of ways.

He’s an easy guy to cheer for and Marble Falls was bursting at the seems this week when the 27-year-old kicked in the last 100 meters to finish strong and win the silver medal in the 1500 meters at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Marble Falls fans of Manzano will have plenty to talk about for years to come after his heartwarming run to silver on Aug. 7.

He covered his favorite distance in 3:34.79 and finished just behind Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria, who took the gold with a time of 3:34.08. Iquider Abdalanti of Morocco won the bronze medal in the 1500 with a time of 3:35.13.

Manzano, a 2004 graduate of Marble Falls High School, is the first American to medal in the men’s 1500 meter since Jim Ryun in 1968 and afterwards he was humble and elated.

"I am honored and excited to represent both the United States and Mexico by earning this silver,’’ said the 5-5, 125-pound Manzano. "Standing on the podium has been a dream of mine and I share it proudly with my family, friends, coaches and all my supporters from Austin, Marble Falls, and Granite Shoals, Texas as well as Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico.’’

Marble Falls was rocking in his support.

"This was a happening,’’ said Conrad Rodgers of Marble Falls. "There is only one thing that would have been better. He had a pretty good strategy…this is great for the community to show support like this.’’

His high school coach Kyle Futrell said it’s a joy and big boost in pride for everybody involved.

"Everybody know about his kick,’’ said Futrell. "He’s done it in races against less competition, but this was against the world’s best…The dramatic way he finished will seal his legacy as a runner. We watched it with some of the coaches and I’ve seen that look on his face before. I could tell, here he comes, he’s going to do it.’’

Manzano utilized a strong strategy in all three of his races in London.

In the first two rounds he got caught up in the pack, but both times was able to finish high enough to advance.

A big psychological advantage in the finals was his lane assignment. He started in lane eight instead of inside like he did in the first two races.

On Sunday in the semifinals he ran a 3:43.94, just two hundredths of a second behind two others.

Manzano was joined by fourth-place finisher Matt Centrowitz of the United States in the finals, giving the U.S. its first finalists since the 2000 Olympics.

After coming up short at the U.S. Outdoor Championships four straight years, including runner-up finishes at the ’08 Trials and 2009 and 2010 Nationals and a third-place effort in 2011, Manzano broke through for his first national championship in 2012, surging past 2011 Worlds bronze medalist Matt Centrowitz on the final straight to win the Olympic Trials in 3:35.75, the ninth-fastest time of his career.

In Beijing, Manzano turned in his best performance of the 2008 season, running a season-best 3:36.67 to finish sixth in his opening heat and advance to the semifinals. That would be as far as he would get, however, as he finished 11th in the semis in 3:50.33.

This has been a standout year for Manzano who is the reigning U.S. National Champion (3:35.75); USTAF Indoor champion (3:48.05); and he placed fourth at USATF High Performance (3:36.08).

Reader Comments

I was appalled by his carrying the Mexican flag and saying that he represented both countries.He "escaped" from a totally dysfunctional country to come to the USA and become somebody.
August 13, 2012, 3:23am by MIKE

His carrying of the Mexican flag has ruined him for me. I retract my pride in his accomplishment.
August 11, 2012, 10:42am by Bushrod

Great Job Leo!!! Those of us who know and appreciate the hard work and dedication that it's taken you achieve this success will always be proud of you!!!!
August 12, 2012, 7:28pm by Leo Fan

He is the US National Champion, not the mexican national champion. We are the United States of America, 1 flag, 1 country, most of us came from somewhere else, but we only carry 1 flag. Manzano needs to realize that he can be ethnically related to a country, but it is NOT his country.
August 11, 2012, 12:32pm by Not a fan

His carrying of the Mexican flag has ruined him for me. I retract my pride in his accomplishment.
August 11, 2012, 2:41pm by Bushrod

Senor Leo Manzano is a Winner. Viva, Texas!
August 12, 2012, 4:50pm by Dwayne

HIS CARRYING OF THE MEXICAN FLAG WAS DISGRACEFUL! HE DID NOT REPRESENT MEXICO!
August 13, 2012, 3:30am by MICHAEL

Like any of us, he has a right to be proud of where he's from. If, for some reason, I moved to another country and competed on their Olympic team, I'd proudly wave the flags of the United States and my new home. And for the record, Leo holds dual citizenship. I'm sure his family in Mexico was just as proud of him as his friends and family in the U.S.
August 13, 2012, 4:37pm by Danny Mantle

Thank you for posting this. I'm very proud for him.
August 14, 2012, 1:52pm by Nina Gatlin

He has disgraced the American Flag and his citizenship of the USA. If he wants to fly other colors he needs to go back there and carry that flag. The USA stands alone not united with mexico or any other country.
August 15, 2012, 8:43am by USA ONLY

Aren't we blessed to live in a country where we can all voice our opinions?! Politics aside, congratulations to a very deserving young man who worked incredibly hard and long to achieve his dream!
August 17, 2012, 4:35pm by Becky

He was running as part of the US Olympic Team. As such the American People had a right to expect undivided loyalty! Shame on you Leo!
August 21, 2012, 9:00am by Barb

I'd like to suggest that Marble Falls become the National Training Center for the 1500 meter event as well as other medium-distance running events. Manzano's showing at the Olympics represents a comeback of sorts for American 1500m runners and Marble Falls' climate, clean air, and hills would make excellent training grounds. Let's do it!!! Scott from El Paso, TX
August 21, 2012, 3:53pm by Scott

How dare you few people be disappointed in a young man who represents the USA and where he is from for the hard work and dedication he has put into it. what have any of you done to bring pride and honor to the USA? unless you have sworn the defend this great country there isnt much you have to go by to show so much disrespect to someone who continues to say thank you for the work that he has put in. it wasnt you doin the work, it wasnt you who pu thim there. Leo has represented the USA and Mexico proudly and should do so. he is proud of who he is and where he comes from. he in the living embodiment of the American Dream. he has earned the respect of the American people. He does not feel self entitled like many americans do. Leo worked to get to the highest level of compition in the world. and to disrespect him like you are doin is dishonoring the American Spirit.
August 28, 2012, 6:11am by Carlos

Ignore the haters Leo! You are amazing and worked hard to achieve this goal. The hateful comments are simply a way for losers to make themselves feel better. I hope you get endorsements and a book and movie deal.
September 07, 2012, 10:50am by DC