Author Archives: Tony Bruno

For those of you checking in today to see my #1 inspiration. I guess you will have to wait another day as I have some “housekeeping” to do today. Over the course of my years of running, there have been a lot of people that influenced and inspired me. And there are also many peopleContinue reading “A Big Thank You”

I have know this guy since 1968, he is my original “running mate”. Everything that we did, we turned it into a competition that always escalated just short of bloodshed. Mike is the forth (and final) member of this list that graduated from Kiski Area High School, class of 1986. He was a four yearContinue reading “#2 Mike Bruno”

Bruce graduated from Edgewood High School in 1972. His high school did not have a track team (but the WPIAL let one athlete from each school without a track team compete in their championships), Bruce ran the 440 yard dash and metaled his junior year and finished 5th his senior season, with a time ofContinue reading “#3 Bruce Frey”

Steve is a 1985 graduate of Kiski Area High School where he was a state qualifier his senior year in cross country. He also earned All-WPIAL honors in cross country that same year. He followed his former high school team mate (me) to Robert Morris College. He was the first All Conference runner (the firstContinue reading “#4 Steve Uhing”

Gary was a high school standout at Shaler High, class of 1976, in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. After graduating, he attended the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) were he continued his success. Culminating with being named an All-American for cross country his senior year. Gary was also inducted into the Pitt Athletic Hall of FameContinue reading “#5 Gary Siriano”

Curt was my teammate at Kiski Area High School, in fact he was the one who talked me into going out for cross country. Curt talked to me during our sophomore year and trained with me during the summer to get me ready for the season. We ended up being #3 and #4 on theContinue reading “#6 Curt Schreffler”

Melissa is a 1989 graduate of David Anderson High School in Lisbon, OH, where she ran the 100m and 200m dash. She was a state finalist her senior year, and was her high school record holder in the 100 and 200 meters until they were recently broken in 2019 and 2014 respectively. She was theContinue reading “#7 Melissa Dorrance Matus”

Don Freedline graduated from Kiski Area High School (my high school) in 1974 and went to college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). At IUP, he was an All-American as a member of the 4 x 440 relay in 1977. After graduation, Don was a consistent winner of road races in the Alle-Kiski Valley. HisContinue reading “#8 Don Freedline”

Malcolm was born in London, England, and in 1977 came to the United States on a track scholarship to the University of Arkansas. He wasn’t happy in Fayetteville, so he ended up at Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. Malcolm had a stellar career at CCAC, winning three national titles. He won the JUCO:Continue reading “#9 Malcolm East”

I am introducing the ten people who were/are most influential in my running career. Ken Martin was a world class marathoner (2:09:38 NYC, 1989) born in Oregon and walked on at the University of Oregon and ended up running a 3:57.86 mile there. Ken was also a two-time U. S. World Cross Country team member.Continue reading “#10 Ken Martin”