David Wesley Santee (March 25, 1932 – November 14, 2010) was an American middle distance runner and athlete who competed mainly in the 1,500 meters and mile events.
Born in Ashland, Kansas, Santee was nicknamed the "Ashland Antelope." Santee attended high school in Ashland, where he set a state record in the mile run. He later attended the University of Kansas where he set records in cross country and the mile and two-mile events. He was the Individual NCAA Cross Country Champion in 1953, while leading his team to the overall championship.
Santee competed in the 5,000 meters in the 1952 Summer Olympics at Helsinki, Finland, but did not win a medal. Three years later, Santee won the silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City.During this period, Santee was one of the top milers in the world, aspiring to become the first man to run a four-minute mile. His chief competitors were Great Britain's Roger Bannister and Australia's John Landy. On May 6, 1954, Bannister became the first to break the barrier with a time of 3:59.4. Seven weeks later, Landy surpassed Bannister's mark.
In June 1954, Santee set the a world 1,500-meter record of 3:42.8 on his way to a crushing mile win over Olympic champion Josy Barthel, but after sprinting past Barthel he slowed slightly, finishing the mile at 4:00.7.In early 1955, Santee came close to a four-minute mile of his own, with a time of 4:00.5, but he would never surpass this time. Shortly afterwards, Santee was suspended by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in a dispute over his amateur status. AAU rules at that time limited amateurs to $15 per diem expenses to cover food and lodging, and the costs of air travel. For three track meets over a nine-day period in May 1955, Santee had been paid $1,127.85 of expenses In 1956, Santee was permanently barred from amateur events, ending his chance to surpass Bannister and Landy and also costing him a place in the 1956 Summer Olympics at Melbourne, Australia. Santee had previously been banned from competing internationally because of early questions surrounding his status as an amateur.During his abbreviated career, Santee set world records in the 1,500 meter run, indoor 1,500 meter run and indoor mile. In 2005 he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. Santee's track career, including his rivalry with Bannister and Landy and his troubles with the AAU, is chronicled in Neal Bascomb's 2004 book The Perfect Mile.
He died of cancer at home in Eureka, Kansas on November 14, 2010.
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Some of their strengths
Wes Santee has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Imaginative, Brave, Honest, Energetic, Passionate, and Intense.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Wes Santee is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who is ambitious and motivated.
Adaptable and Versatile
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Wes Santee well know them as someone who can be adaptable, flexible, and polite, like a flower or a sapling.
Imaginative and Sentimental
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Wes Santee as someone who is imaginative, sentimental, and in touch with emotions.
A person who has extremely good memory and analytical skills, likes to make sure that everyone gets along, enjoys all kinds of situations and people, has a talent for travel and languages, and who makes lifelong friends.
Dynamic and Imaginative
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Wes Santee is someone who can bring a purifying element to situations, and who is a risk-taker with vision and imagination.
They are also someone who is creative, expressive, and insightful, and who has a pioneering spirit with self-determination and natural artistic expression.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Wes Santee tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of Wes Santee's challenges
While Wes Santee has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Wes Santee can be Emotional, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Complicated, Brusque, Standoffish, and Irritable.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of Wes Santee's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
Irritable and Moody
Wes Santee is someone who can be irritable and moody, have a tendency to experience self-doubt, be too secretive, can take too many risks, and who can have an extreme approach to managing personal finances.
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, Wes Santee also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.