ITHACA, N.Y.— The Cornell women's cross country hosts the John Reif Memorial Friday as both team's will race together in a 5,000 run at the Moakley Course.

Meet Information

Cornell at the Reif Memorial | Friday, Oct. 22  | Moakley Course, Ithaca, N.Y. | 5,000-meter combined race
RESULTS: LeoneTiming.com

Who was John Reif '86? 

Written and sent to the lan B. '53 and Elizabeth Heekin Harris Head Coach of Women's Track & Field/Men's and Women's Cross Country, Mike Henderson, by the family of John Reif '86 

Friends and teammates of John Reif organized the first John Reif Memorial Run in 1987. Who was John Reif? 

John was a 1986 graduate of Cornell, completing a degree in molecular cellular biology. As an athlete, he was highly touted in high school, so there were great expectations on what he might achieve. He always wanted to pop a big race, but it never really happened, although he was a consistent scorer in the 1,500, 3,000 and steeplechase along with being a regular scorer and contributor in cross country. He was a great teammate, always positive, and always worked hard.

After graduation he still wanted that bug athletic breakthrough and so he turned to the triathlon. He moved to St. Louis in 1986 to do medical research at St Louis Children's Hospital and devoted most of his free time to traiining for triathlons.

He was killed while on a bicycle ride outside of St. Louis in the summer of 1987. 

Joel Minor '90, who, upon his own graduation in 1990 was the last person at Cornell to have been a teammate of John's, had some comments.

"John was a kind of case of unfulfilled expectations, that, in many ways, he overcame— not by meeting those expectations, but by being a supportive, encouraging, hard-working teammate who made those around him better."

The following was read at his Eulogy:

"His was a total commitment to the tasks at hand, be they academic, athletic or professional. He lived his life with grace and gentleness and was admired by others of all ages for his humor, his sensitivity, his dedication and his kindness."

Also in 1987, the team began a new award that is still given out every year at the post-season banquet, the John Reif Award for Overall Excellence, given to the harrier who best embodies excellence in effort in running and in academic scholarship, in respect and support of teammates, in internal competitive fire and day to day dedication. 

John Reif was a beloved member of the team who represented so much of what makes the Cornell cross country team special. We remember him, and everything he stood for, each year when we have this meet.
 

Last Time Out

• The Big Red finished fifth at the Penn State National Invitational and first at the R.K. Munsey XC Invitational hosted by UAlbany.
• Typically a team that keeps in large, tight packs, the Big Red did not get the start they were looking for Friday and were therefore scattered throughout the field at the Penn State National Invitational. 
•  At Penn State, Izzy MacFarlane ran a 21:12.6 for eighth place, while Rebecca Hasser ran a 21:54.4 for 29th, Isa Meyers came in 33rd with a 22:06.9, Lucy Hurt finished 38th with a 22:15.7, Erin Hudson ran a 22:28.4 for 48th, Sarah Roffman finished 58th with a 22:37.1 and Katy Storti clocked a 22:44.4 for 68th to round out Cornell's scorers. 
• Cornell landed all of its runners in the top 50 at the R.K. Munsey XC Invitational 5,000 meter race. Rachel Green led the Big Red with a fifth place finish and a 19:0.1 clocking while two more Cornellians in Olivia Curran (6th place, 19:21.2) and Cella Schnabel (8th place, 19:23.6) followed close behind. 
   

Up Next

• The Big Red will prepare for Heps as Cornell is set for the its conference meet in Princeton, N.J. on Saturday, Oct. 30.