Former Brooks Beast & Oregon alum Matt Scherer passes away...
Former Brooks Beast Matt Scherer (Paul Merca photo), who made a career as one of the world's best pacesetters, recently passed away, according to this post on media partner RunnerSpace's Instagram account.
From 2011 until his retirement after the 2014 season, Scherer was a rabbit du jour for many of the world's top middle distance runners.
During his career as a pacemaker, he was the setup man for races ranging from 800, 1000, 1500 and the mile at seven Wanda Diamond League meets, along with numerous meets on the European, North American and Asian circuits.
He also rabbited several meets at Dempsey Indoor in Seattle, setting races up for the likes of Olympians Galen Rupp and Lopez Lomong. He was part of the Oregon Track Club's team that ran a world best 9:21.77 in the distance medley relay in 2010, a mark which is still the Dempsey Indoor facility record.
Scherer, a graduate of the University of Oregon, was an eight-time All-American, and the 2006 Pac-10 champion at 400 meters for the Ducks. Scherer competed in the 2008 US Olympic Trials in the 800, where he advanced to the semi-finals. He also placed third in the 800 indoors at the 2009 USA indoor championships.
My deepest condolences to the Scherer family for this tragic loss. Matt was an incredible athlete during his years for @oregontf, and he made it his life’s work to advocate and serve the sport of track and field. Rest In Peace, Matt. https://t.co/F41iusIygP
— Robert Johnson (@Run4Ducks) December 9, 2021
He ran for the Brooks Beasts during the 2013-14 seasons, where he trained with former Nike Oregon TC Elite teammate Mark Wieczorek when both were added to the Beasts.
Upon his retirement, Scherer was a key part of the ascent of media partner RunnerSpace, serving as the Eugene-based company's chief operating officer.
Here's a link to his World Athletics profile.
NOTE: RunnerSpace, World Athletics and the sports information office of the University of Oregon contributed to this report.
paulmerca.blogspot.com may receive a commission for any purchases made from links clicked. Please support this site and our sponsors by clicking on the links.
Comments