William Wuycke

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William Wuyke
Wuycke (left) competing in the 800 metres of the 1984 Olympics
Personal information
Birth nameWilliam Wuycke
NationalityVenezuelan
Born (1958-05-28) 28 May 1958 (age 65)
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Sport
SportMiddle-distance running
Event800 metres
College teamAlabama

William Wuycke (born May 21, 1958) is a former Venezuelan 800m runner, who set a personal best of 1:43.54 minutes at a 1986 meeting in Rieti (the race was won by Steve Cram). This result made Wuycke (as of 2021) the third-fastest South American 800m runner of all time.[1] He finished fourth in the 800 metres at the 1987 Pan American Games. He carried the flag for his native country at the opening ceremony at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.

Early life[edit]

The son of Carmelo and Rosa Wuycke, William Wuycke grew up in Parroquia La Pastora, Caracas. He attended the Madariaga primary school and Agustín Aveledo secondary school. Wuyke then studied physical education at Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (UPEL) in Caracas, followed by philosophy at Colegio Universitario de Caracas (CUC), before matriculating at the University of Alabama.[2]

Health problems troubled Wuyke throughout his childhood; he had respiratory difficulties, minor heart problems, and spina bifida.[3] In a short video documentary, Wuyke recollected, "It was not an easy life as a kid. I was pretty sick. I was walking straight with a corset... I couldn't train, I couldn't swim. Going to doctors and doctors and doctors...Seeing all my friends playing and I couldn't even play." Wuyke on Vimeo

Wuyke eventually found his way to the YMCA basketball court in La Pastora, where he encountered Venezuelan decathlete Luis Mijares, who asked him to come to Olympic Stadium at Central University of Venezuela (UCV). There, William Wuyke defeated Mijares in a 50-meter race, leading him to begin regular training at the stadium. It was here that he eventually met his longtime coach, Elavit Asmadt.[4] Coach Asmdat was responsible for the development of many famous Venezuelan track and field athletes across multiple disciplines, including both short and long-distance runners.[5]

Athletics career[edit]

The Venezuelan Athletics Federation selected Wuyke to compete in the 1976 Central American and Caribbean Games in Xalapa, Mexico, where he won his first international gold medal.[6]

On April 20, 1980, Wuyke ran 1:47.00 for 800 meters, the fastest performance for a high school athlete in the world at the time.[7][8]

He competed at the 800 meter distance for Venezuela in the 1980 Summer Olympics. On July 25, 1980, Wuyke ran 1:47:38 in the third semi-final heat of the 800 metres.[9]

In 1980, University of Alabama coach Bear Bryant offered Wuyke an athletic scholarship. Bryant wanted to use Wuyke's speed on the football field. Wuyke eventually joined the track team instead.[10]

On June 2, 1983, Wuyke and his Alabama teammates ran 3:03.90 in the 4 × 400 metres relay.[11]

Wuyke won the 1,000 meter run at the 1984 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 2:24.27.[12]

Wuyke also competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics for Venezuela. He failed to advance to the 800 meter final, ending up 7th in the first semi-final heat with a time of 1:47.32.[13]

As of March 2024, Wuyke remains Alabama's outdoor 800 meter record holder having run 1:43.93 in Zurich, Switzerland on August 13, 1985.[14]

Wuyke continued competing after graduating from the University of Alabama. On September 7, 1986, in Rieti, Italy, he ran a personal best 1:43.54 in the 800 meter run. This was the third fastest time in the world in 1986, just 35 hundredths of a second behind world leader Steve Cram, who set his 1:43.19 mark in the same race as Wuyke.[15] As of March 2024, Wuyke's mark is still the Venezuelan national record.

Wuyke's last major international appearance was in Lausanne, Switzerland at the Stade olympique de la Pontaise, where he ran 1:50.34 for the 800 meters on July 12, 1990.[16]

Achievements[edit]

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Venezuela
1976 Central American and Caribbean Junior
Championships (U20) 		Xalapa, Mexico 1st 800 m 1:53.58 A
South American Junior Championships Xalapa, Mexico 3rd 400 m 48.88
3rd 800 m 1:52.32
2nd 4 × 400 m relay 3:17.10
1979 South American Championships Bucaramanga, Colombia 2nd 800 m 1:47.9
1st 4 × 400 m relay 3:09.8
1980 Olympic Games Moscow, Soviet Union 10th (sf) 800 m 1:47.4
1982 Central American and Caribbean Games Havana, Cuba 2nd 800 m 1:45.75
1983 World Championships Helsinki, Finland 46th (h) 800 m 1:50.71
Pan American Games Caracas, Venezuela – 800 m DNF
1984 Olympic Games Los Angeles, United States 13th (sf) 800 m 1:47.32
1986 Central American and Caribbean Games Santiago, Dominican Republic 2nd 800 m 1:49.45
1987 Central American and Caribbean Championships Caracas, Venezuela 1st 800 m 1:49.10
Pan American Games Indianapolis, United States 4th 800 m 1:48.34
World Championships Rome, Italy 20th (qf) 800 m 1:46.38
1989 World Indoor Championships Budapest, Hungary 11th (sf) 800 m 1:53.52

Masters athletics[edit]

On February 14, 1999, William Wuyke set a world masters record for the indoor 800 meter run with a time of 1:54.96, beating the previous record of 1:55.5 set by Ken Popejoy in 1993.[17][18]

On March 28, 1999, William Wuyke won the 800 meter run at the USA National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships, running 2:01.69.[19]

Coaching and teaching career[edit]

William Wuyke holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the University of Alabama in health, physical education and recreation. Prior to his 2022 retirement, Wuyke served as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Physical Education, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Director of the Connecticut College Fitness Center.[20]

He has coached at the National Sports Institute in Caracas and as a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama. Wuyke was the youth sports coordinator at the Memphis Jewish Community Center. He joined the faculty of Connecticut College in 1990, serving as head coach of the track and field team through 2006.[21][22]

Wuyke has trained multiple varsity teams at Connecticut College. He has also taught various fitness classes and organized informal workout groups for students.[23]

Retirement from Connecticut College[edit]

In the spring of 2022, William Wuyke retired after 32 years of coaching, teaching, and motivating Connecticut College athletes, students, faculty and staff.[24] He was recognized at the 2022 commencement for his numerous contributions to the college, including his guidance on the 2009 upgrade of fitness center at the athletic complex. Previously, he helped plan the 1996 improvements to the college's outdoor track.[25]

Recognition[edit]

Wuyke served as Venezuela's representative for the World Olympians Association at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[26]

On September 30, 2009, the Venezuelan Athletics Federation announced Wuyke would be inducted into its hall of fame.[27] He was formally honored in ceremonies on October 9–10, 2009 in Caracas, Venezuela.[28]

William Wuyke has also been recognized for his work in New London, Connecticut, helping area youth with both fitness and literacy. On January 29, 2010, he was honored with Connecticut College's Martin Luther King Service Award.[29]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "South America All-Time - 800 Metres - men - senior - outdoor". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  2. ^ "William Wuyke, leyenda del atletismo venezolano". www.atletismosudamericano.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  3. ^ "William Wuyke, leyenda del atletismo venezolano". www.atletismosudamericano.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  4. ^ "William Wuyke, leyenda del atletismo venezolano". www.atletismosudamericano.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  5. ^ "Venezuela con 33 atletas participará en el Sudamericano de Mayores de Asunción". atletismoperuano.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  6. ^ "William Wuyke, leyenda del atletismo venezolano". atletismosudamericano.org (in Spanish). 23 April 2021.
  7. ^ "William WUYCKE Profile World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  8. ^ "BEHIND WUYKE, CONN COLLEGE TRACK PROGRAM IS... - Hartford Courant". www.courant.com. 28 April 1999. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  9. ^ "William WUYCKE Profile World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  10. ^ "BEHIND WUYKE, CONN COLLEGE TRACK PROGRAM IS... - Hartford Courant". www.courant.com. 28 April 1999. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  11. ^ "All-Time Outdoor Track Top 10 Performances (PDF) - University of Alabama Athletics" (PDF). www.rolltide.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  12. ^ "NCAA Division I Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship Results" (PDF). NCAA. NCAA.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  13. ^ "William WUYCKE Profile World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  14. ^ "All-Time Outdoor Track Top 10 Performances (PDF) - University of Alabama Athletics". www.rolltide.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  15. ^ "1986 - 800 Metres - men - senior - outdoor". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  16. ^ "William WUYCKE Profile World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  17. ^ "USATF-NE Headline News (January - June 1999)". www.usatfne.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  18. ^ "800 meter ALL-TIME Rankings". www.mastersathletics.net. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  19. ^ "1999 USA National Masters". www.mastershistory.org. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  20. ^ "William Wuyke · Connecticut College". www.conncoll.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  21. ^ "Connecticut College - Men's & Women's Track & Field Coach". www.conncoll.edu. Archived from the original on 2002-08-27. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  22. ^ "Connecticut College - Men's & Women's Track & Field Coach". www.conncoll.edu. Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  23. ^ "From Carrying the Torch to Camel Country - The College Voice". www.thecollegevoice.org. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
  24. ^ Staff writer(s); no by-line (2022-10-11). "CC Magazine". CC Magazine. New London, CT: Office of Communications. p. 52. Retrieved 2023-03-03.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "Connecticut College One Hundred Fourth Commencement 2022" (PDF). www.conncoll.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  26. ^ "2009 · Connecticut College News". www.conncoll.edu.
  27. ^ "Atletismo – Salón De La Fama". atletismoperuano.com (in Spanish). October 2009.
  28. ^ "2009 · Connecticut College News". www.conncoll.edu.
  29. ^ "The Day - Three honored with Connecticut College's Martin Luther King Service Awards - News from southeastern Connecticut". www.theday.com.
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