Bayer signs with Nike, joins Schumacher group
Bayer signs with Nike, joins Schumacher group
Former Indiana University All-American and NCAA Champion, Andy Bayer, announced today that he has signed a contract with Nike and will be joining Jerry Schumacher's group in Portland, Ore.
Excited to announce that I have officially signed a contract with @NikeRunning and will be training in Portland with Jerry Schumacher!
— Andy Bayer (@TeddyBayer1500) September 13, 2013
A contract with track and field's most powerful entity, Nike, comes as no surprise, and Bayer's record can speaks for itself. Though he finished a disappointing 8th place at this year's NCAAs and failed to qualify for the final at USAs, he is coming off a very successful European circuit. Over the course of six weeks, Bayer managed six PRs in the 800m, 1500m, mile, 2000m, and 3000m.
Prior to his success overseas, Bayer gained notoriety for his diving finish at 2012 NCAAs to snatch the 1500m title from Miles Batty's clutches and for his 4th place finish at the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Prior to his success overseas, Bayer gained notoriety for his diving finish at 2012 NCAAs to snatch the 1500m title from Miles Batty's clutches and for his 4th place finish at the 2012 Olympic Trials.
The miler, who also possesses a 5000m PR of 13:32.74, will find himself among stellar company with Schumacher's group. Putting the big names aside (Jager, Derrick, Solinsky, Teg etc.), Bayer will find a good training partner in the perpetually M.I.A. German Fernandez. Considering Fernandez is healthy, the two runners have comparable PRs--Fernandez touts a 3:34.60 1500m as well as his American Junior record 5000m time of 13:25.46.
Only time can tell if the move to Portland will bear any fruit for the newest Schumacher boy. But for now we'll call the inevitable rainfall that will likely accompany Bayer's arrival to the Northwest a sort of congratulatory confetti on his move to the Big Leagues.