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| Born | July 3, 1968 (1968-07-03) (age 56) Pearl, Mississippi | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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George Kersh (born July 3, 1968) is a former world-class runner and current high school running coach.
While running forPearl High School Kersh broke thenational high school record twice in the 800m, with a best time of 1:46:58 on June 13, 1987.[1][2] The record was broken in 1996 byMichael Granville of California. George Kersh Drive in Pearl is named after their local hero.
After high school, Kersh went to California to attendTaft Junior College. He still holds thenational Junior College record at 800 metres 1:46.60 set at theMt. SAC Relays in 1989.[3] He went to theUniversity of Mississippi for his final two years of college.
Between 1987 and 1994, Kersh ranked in the top 10 at 800m seven times ranking as high as number 2,[4] with a personal best of 1:44:00 at theOlympics Trials in New Orleans on June 24, 1992. He did not qualify for the Olympic team. He came in fourth in the Olympic Trials twice, in 1988 and then in 1992, when he finished .03 of a second out of qualifying behindJohnny Gray (1:42.80),Mark Everett (1:43.67), andJosé Parrilla (1:43.97).[5] After college, he ran as a member of theSanta Monica Track Club.[6]
He won a gold medal at the 1990Goodwill Games ahead of Everett and Gray, setting the Goodwill Games record in the process.[7]
Today, Kersh coaches Cross Country and Track & Field at his Jr. high and high school alma_mater, Pearl High School (Pearl Public School District).
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