Riley Klingel finished second in the 2004 state cross country finals.
Few Michigan Runner readers could claim they had not heard of Riley Klingel. The Fremont High School senior running star had a presence in competition -- long-limbed and all-out -- that brought to mind Roger Bannister.

Bannister, a great, gutsy athlete, admitted he never trained meticulously. Still, no one could question his desire as they watched him pour out every ounce of energy breaking the four-minute mile half a century ago.

Although Riley was also a natural athlete, he put in countless hours of training to meet his goals. He also gave immense effort during races. He never shied from hard work, attending the infamous Paavo running camps during hot summers, and training through Michigan's dark, cold winters.

Riley's influence never spread as did Bannister's, of course, but both changed the way the world looked at distance running and human potential.

I saw Riley break the Fremont cross-country course during his senior year, and knew he was capable of becoming a world-class runner. On a course known to cripple the strongest runners, he held a blistering pace.

Where others were cautious, Riley was confident, having spent hundreds of hours preparing. When others let pain block their goals and doubt cloud their chance at victory, Riley kept focused and muscled through.

Those who saw him compete knew he put his heart into every race, leaving spectators and competitors inspired.

Riley's talents and strength of character were not limited to running. He stood at the top of his class academically, and planned to continue his studies and running at Michigan State University.

The Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association named Riley Mr. Michigan Cross Country last fall for his performance and spirit both on and off the field. After finishing second in his last chance to win a second state title, he was not bitter or disheartened. He said he had "no complaints" and his effort "was probably the best race I've ever run."

Riley's best running performances are listed below, but his greatest feat -- one he may not have realized or expected -- was the impact he made on teammates, classmates, his hometown, and running community of our state.

His death in a car crash at age 18 April 22 triggered grief, disbelief and a wave of memories. The hundreds who attended his funeral, and took part in a memorial run agreed he never would be forgotten.

"Two things about Riley struck me," MSU men's cross country coach Walt Drenth said. "One was that he was very, very competitive. The opportunity to compete was something he really enjoyed.

"The other was his pursuit of excellence. He did not understand it if someone was not trying to be his best. It was inconceivable to him that you could have a gift and not try to nurture it," Denth said.

As I've run through Fremont since Riley's death, I have often felt his spirit joining me. It isn't pushing me to run faster and seize the training opportunity, as he'd have done, though: it's encouraging me to enjoy and not take the run for granted. More quietly, it asks me to bring him along for a few miles, and I'm honored to do so.

Riley's coach, Cliff Somers, put it best. "I don't care if my kids ever grow up to be the runner he was, but I sure hope they grow up to be as good of people as he was."

Riley's Personal Bests:

TRACK: 400 meters, 53.7; 800 meters, 1:56.7; 1600 meters, 4:19.8; 3200 meters,9:19.5.

CROSS COUNTRY: 5K, 15:22.1; three-time conference and regional champion; 2004 Division 2 state runnerup; 2002 D-2 state champion. And his greatest source of pride: being part of two state-runnerup teams. MR