Raymond Milton Conger (November 12, 1904 – October 23, 1994) was an Americanmiddle-distance runner. He held the world record for the 1,000 yards and the American record for the1,500 metres.[1] In the U.S. national championships, Conger was a three-time winner in both the 1,000 yd and themile run.[1] At the1928 Summer Olympics inAmsterdam, he won his qualifying heat for the1,500 m but did not finish in the final.[1]
In 1929, Conger became the first and only athlete to defeatPaavo Nurmi in the mile, beating the "Flying Finn" to the win in the indoorWanamaker Mile of theMillrose Games.[2][3][4] Although Conger was modest about his win, he would be known as "the man who beat Nurmi" for decades.[5] Conger also scored wins overOtto Peltzer andEdvin Wide, and went on to be undefeated in the mile for two seasons.[1] He retired from running in 1932.[1]
Conger ran track forIowa State University in college, later obtained a master's degree in physiology, and then did further graduate work atColumbia University. From 1931 to 1936 he taught zoology atCarleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he also coached track.[1] He then joined the faculty at thePennsylvania State University and was a long-time professor of professor of physical education preceding his retirement in 1970. In 1963, he was inducted into theIowa Sports Hall of Fame.[1] He was born and raised in Riceville, Iowa.
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