Alex Kasich
Alex Kasich is one of the top runners ever developed in Mercer County.
At Hickory High he was a top cross country and track performer and also played basketball before graduation in 1972. He had a brilliant career in cross country and indoor and outdoor track at West Virginia University from 1972-76.
In cross country he was an NCAA All-American in 1975, the USTFF national champion, NCAA All-East performer in 1974 and 1975, as well as the college cross country "Athlete of the Year" for his final three seasons. He posted an undefeated record in 1974. He served as a graduate assistant coach in cross country and track at WVU from 1976-78.
He was a top national and international performer in track and road running. Some of the highlights of his career included: 1968 Philippi 4-mile Classic, 1st, 18:39.0 (world best that year); 1978 AAU 15-K National Champion; 1980 Olympic Trials Qualifier in marathon (20:20:16); 1980 Olympic Trials 10,000-meter finalist; 1981 New York Marathon, 9th place (2:13:20); 1982 American Record-holder 30-kilometers (1:33:56); 1983 New York City Marathon, 22nd; 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier in marathon (2:14:22); 1986 Nike OTC 25-K (1:16:30, world best that year).
Alex played a major role in turning the sport from amateur to professional status. He was banned from the New York Marathon in 1981 for openly accepting money at the Nike OTC Marathon. He filed an injunction and was permitted to run. By placing 9th, he received more money "under the table" than he did at the Nike event. Within months, the rules were changed to allow monetary payments for track and field athletes.
He was a winner and elite level performer in many other competitions and served as a product consultant to Nike. He ran between 100-140 miles per week and once finished a 50-mile race in less than 7 hours.
He served on the board of directors for "Friends of Track & Field" at WVU.