THE BRIGETTE SCHUTZMAN FESTIVAL OF MILES
6:30 PM Monday April 28th, 2008
St. Louis University High School. St. Louis, MO.
(left to right- Mary Moloney, Laura Peabody and Brigette last fall)
On December 31st, 2007, Brigette Schutzman, a cross country and track runner at St. Louis University, was involved in a horrific car accident that left her in a coma for 6 weeks. She has fought bravely and through the many prayers from her friends and family she is currently improving slightly but her medical bills remain quite high. Her teammates at SLU decided to raise money for Brigette and her family through an event that would be truly special and unique.
THANK YOU ST. LOUIS!!! THE EVENT RAISED NEARLY $8,000 FOR THE SCHUTZMAN FAMILY!!!
Post-Dispatch Post Race Article
RACE VIDEOS BELOW:
ELITE MENS MILE presented by Pronet Consulting
MASTERS MENS MILE
WOMENS OPEN MILE
- Thanks so much to all of you who came out to support Brigette and her family last night. Each and every one of you played a part in what was a very special night for the Schutzman family. The evening began with an emotional opening ceremony in which Brigette stood at the podium, thanked everyone for coming, said a prayer and sang a song that has special meaning for her and her mom. She then walked down the track to a huge standing ovation from the crowd.
The races kicked off with the junior high boys race which was won by Jeffrey Orf. Orf's brother Greg is a member of the SLU track and field team and a teammate of Brigette's. The junior high girls mile was next and Lizzy Jurries and Amanda Behnke staged a close 4 lap battle with Jurries coming out on top with both runners dipping under the six minute barrier. The next race was a very special treat for the crowd, the wheelchair racers mile. David Grossi took the lead from the gun on his way to a commanding victory. The St. Louis Womens mile was next with Big River Running Company's Julie Lossos taking the win over several of her teammates. In the Masters Mens Mile, Fleet Feet's Jeff Neuschwander held off challenges from the Big River trio of Mitch Figas, Mark Palm and Pete Palumbo.
The Elite Mens Mile presented by Pronet Consulting was the last race on the track and the crowd was on their feat anticipating a possible sub 4 minute mile! We had advertised the attempt as the first ever outdoor sub 4 minute mile in Missouri and as it turns out there was one other and that was way back in 1963. Dyrol Burleson ran 3:56.7 at the AAU Nationals here in St. Louis. So if this race were to go under it would have been the first in 45 years. Brian Lyons, the pacesetter for the field, took the race out in 60 seconds for the first quarter mile with the pack a few steps back. At the half mile mark the cold, windy conditions were taking their toll on the pace. Lyons came through the half mile in 2:00 with the pack at 2:03-2:04. Team Indiana Elite's Jordan Fife had the lead at that point and his teammate Derek Scott also took a turn at the front during the third lap. At the bell there were still five runners in contention for the win with Fife and Scott as well as Neville Miler, Tommy Schmitz and Big River's Jeremy Doherty. On the backstretch Doherty and Miller moved to the front. At 150 to go it was Miller who accelerated hardest and began to finally break away from the rest. He powered home in front of the frenzied crowd to take the victory in 4:08.52. A photo finish for second showed Schmitz edging out Fife for second with Doherty in fourth and Scott in fifth.
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SPONSORS:
A special thanks to the companies helping put this event on. It wouldn't have happened without them and their support of the running community in Saint Louis is much appreciated. Click on the logos to learn more about them!
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MORE ABOUT BRIGETTE:
"Brigette is a force to be reckoned with on the track, but off...she is one of the most compassionate friends I have ever known. Her enthusiasm, energy, and optimism has inspired me to be a better person and appreciate life. Brig has the most addicting smile that brings happiness to all those she encounters. Yes, she has many successes and accomplishments to her name, both academically and athletically. But they alone do not give enough credit to the person she is and the effect she has on others." --Mary Moloney
"Brigette has the heart and attitude of a true champion as she has proven on and off the track with her record-breaking times in the 800, her positive team spirit, and her admirable leadership abilities. Her extraordinary strength and fierce determination leads her in a constant direction of success as an athlete, student, and as a person in general. As a teammate and a close friend, I have truly come to know that Brigette's strong sense of faith in herself, her teammates, her family, her friends, and most importantly God gets her through each day. Brigette has been a role model for many people through her incredible ability to fight through whatever she is faced with, bringing out the best in each situation with energy and enthusiasm." - Laura Peabody
Brigette's Running Bio
At St. Louis University:
Cross Country
#6 All Time Individual (5k)
#8 All Time Individual (6k)
Track & Field
Indoor Atlantic 10 All Conference (800m, DMR)
School Record- Indoor 800 (2:18.10)
School Record- Outdoor 800 (2:14.36)
School Record- Outdoor 1500 (4:44.48)
School Record- Outdoor 3000 (10:31.28)
School Record- Outdoor 4 x 400 relay (4:05.26))
School Record- Outdoor 4 x 800 relay (9:24.17)
Accolades:
Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll
Active in Campus Kitchen Activities
Helped raise over $2000 for Campus Food Drive