Hall of Fame
Mr. John Trautmann is one of New York State’s most successful long distance runners. He dominated long distance running throughout his high school career at Monroe-Woodbury (Section IX) from 1982-86, setting dozens of records, many of which still stand today.
Trautmann immediately experienced success in high school athletics as he was named New York State Freshman of the Year for both Cross Country and Outdoor Track after setting numerous records and earning All-State plaudits in 1983. For the next three years, he was named New York State Athlete of the Year setting more records, capturing several Section IX titles and being crowned a NYSPHSAA Champion. Trautmann’s accolades extended to the national level during his junior year when he was named USA Today Athlete of the Year in 1985. That year, and in 1986, he was named a USA Today All-American. Gatorade also honored him at the national level when he was awarded the Gatorade High School Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 1986.
Trautmann’s storied career continued at Georgetown University where he was a 5-time NCAA All-American and 12-time Big East champion in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track from 1986-91. He also captured the IC4A championship in the Outdoor 5000m, Outdoor 1500m, and Indoor 1500m, and in 1990 became the NCAA champion at 5000m.
After graduating from Georgetown with a Bachelors degree in Finance, Trautmann continued to be one of the premiere long distance runners in the United States. He ran in the 5000m USA National Championship in 1991 and 1992, and finished first at the 1992 National 10,000m Road Race Championship. That year he was the fastest American at 3000m and 5000m, and was the only American ranked in the top 50 in the world in the 5000m. Trautmann became the USA 5000m Olympic trials champion, and represented the United States in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Trautmann also studied economics at American University.