Deena Drossin

Dedicated and Determined

Deena Drossin
by Scott Granowitz

April, 1998--If one were to pick two words to describe Deena Drossin, one of America's most promising distance runners, they would be without a doubt dedicated and determined. How fitting that both words start with the letter "D." It is Drossin's determination to succeed and dedication to the sport that has carried her to the professional ranks of cross country and track & field. Last December at the age of 24, Drossin put on a spectacular performance at the 1997 US Cross Country Championships in Portland, Oregon by winning the 8 kilometer event in 26:35, 35 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, the legendary Lynn Jennings. It was perhaps her most impressive performance to date, winning national spotlight and dethroning the 9-time national champion and former world champion. Drossin led throughout the entire race and opened up a strong 16-second lead at the 3-mile mark in tough running conditions of 39 degrees and beating rain.

"It was a very special race," said a very appreciative Drossin. "Not only just winning the National Championship, but the fact that my coach and my whole entire family was there to share it with me made it very special."

Drossin got her start in distance running at the age of 13 while growing up in Agoura Hills, California. Her proud parents Paul and Heleana Drossin introduced her to the sport at this age where she ran for a local club coached by her future Agoura High School mentor Bill Duley. According to Drossin, her parents have been with her every step of the way in this most physically and emotionally demanding sport.

"My parents have been a tremendous support for me since I was 13 and they first put me on the track," said Drossin. "They come to most of my races. They are extremely encouraging. They're so proud of me, yet they're so humble as well. They've been fantastic."

Although Drossin's most famous race to date was last December at the US Cross Country Championships, she has certainly made a mark for herself and the teams she has represented in the past. Such honors include a 6th place finish at the 1990 Kinney National High School Cross Country Championships (now known as the Foot Locker Championships), eight "All-American" X-C/track awards at the University of Arkansas, seven Southeastern Conference titles, a national runner-up place at the 1992 NCAA Cross Country Championships, a victory in the 10,000 meter race at the 1997 World University Games, and a third place finish in the 10,000 meter race at the 1997 US Track & Field Outdoor Championships. Drossin, a 1991 graduate of Agoura High School and 1996 graduate of the University of Arkansas, does not get caught up with any of these high finishes or awards, and simply runs for the love and enjoyment.

"I've gotten so much out of every race, even every practice that I go through," said a most modest Drossin. "I just enjoy the sport and I really can't pinpoint anything that's made a significant difference on my life, but just the sport in general."

At the 1998 World Cross Country Championships in Marrakech, Morocco in March, Drossin led the American team with a 20th place finish in 27:06 and helped the USA finish the "long course" (8 kilometers) team competition in a very respectable 5th place. She and her teammates are a relatively young group and the future looks bright in American women's distance running at the cross country and track level. At last year's World Championships, Drossin took 29th place while the team finished in 6th place. Even though Drossin automatically qualified for this year's World Cross Country Championships on the basis of her national championship victory, she still competed at the 1998 USATF Cross Country Trials in Orlando at the end of February as a show of support to her future teammates. She finished the race in fourth place.

"I really just wanted to go down there while the rest of the US team was selected," said Drossin. "Although I was feeling under the weather [suffering from virus and sinus infection at the time] I am really happy that I made the trip in order to visit with the rest of the girls that are going to be going over there."

After graduating from the University of Arkansas with an undergraduate degree in English, Drossin took her talents to Alamosa, Colorado (where she currently makes her residence) to train in the high altitude of 7,000 feet under the tutelage of world renowned distance coach Dr. Joe Vigil.

"I was looking to find a new place to train after I went to school at Arkansas," said Drossin. "A coach there recommended Coach Vigil so I talked to him on the phone and was instantly inspired by him."

Drossin is supported financially with sponsorship from Reebok International and a training stipend from the Road Runners Club of America. She is the only woman in Vigil's training stable. Perhaps the factors in Alamosa have been the keys to her constant improvement since turning professional.

"I think the guys here are extremely encouraging and due to fact that we have so many different runners here," explained Drossin. "We have marathoners, we have milers, we have steeplechasers, we have five and 10k runners here. They've been extremely supportive when they are on their down cycles. They'll train with me. We had a marathoner Phillip Castillo, who's a Native-American from the Acoma Pueblo. He was on a transition after running the Chicago Marathon and trained up to the national meet with me and just helped me tremendously."

To date, Drossin's main success has come in cross country rather than on the track, probably due to her inexperience on the European circuit during the summer months.

"Up until now I've really taken summers off of running," said Drossin. "That's kind of like my downtime. And just this coming up summer will be the first summer that I'm actually going to race through the summer and I am going to go over to Europe to do some races."

Drossin has best times of 32:47.44 for 10,000 meters, 15:41.90 for 5000 meters, 9:10.80 for 3000 meters, and 4:21.98 for 1500 meters. Drossin plans on concentrating on the 3000 and 5000-meter events as opposed to the 10,000 meters this track season and also plans on competing at the Goodwill Games in New York this summer. It will make her a more versatile runner as she makes her way to being world ranked on the 400-meter oval.

"I think that I can look forward to successful track seasons now as well because I know more about what it takes to excel in the sport," anticipated Drossin. "I like all aspects of our sport for different reasons. I have a passion for cross country, but I also enjoy racing on the roads and being part of community type races like that and I also enjoy the track."

Due to her past downtime during the summer months, Drossin has yet to represent the United States at the World Maccabiah Games held every four years in Israel, but did compete in North American youth Maccabi games and the Pan-American Maccabiah during her high school years. She has never been to Israel, but it is definitely in her plans in the future as she competes in races around the world.

"I think the one most wonderful thing about sports is that they allow young people to travel places," said Drossin. "Israel definitely would be a dream to go visit."

American distance running not only has a great talent in Drossin, but also an athlete that knows what it will take for the USA to compete with the European and African powers in the coming years. Her dedication and determination to herself, her country, and the sport is something track fans can be proud of. Drossin said it best when describing her experiences as a member of American teams that compete overseas.

"To be able to travel overseas together and to run in a US uniform," said Drossin. "You're going to run with a sense of pride for yourself, and for your team, and the country."

The United States certainly has at least one runner to help lead American distance running into the next century.