Wes Santee

LEGENDARY JAYHAWKS Wes Santee (1952-55)

A legendary Kansas Jayhawk, Wes Santee’s contributions to Kansas cross country and track and field are among the bedrocks of the tradition-rich heritage. Santee, an Ashland, Kan. native, captured the NCAA championship in 1953, giving KU the individual crown for the third time in four years. In fact, Santee’s All-American performance at the 1953 NCAA Championships propelled the Kansas cross country team to the NCAA title, the only cross country team in KU’s history to achieve the feat. Santee also excelled at the conference level, claiming back-to-back league championships in 1952 and 1953 and helping his team collect two Big Seven Conference championships (1952 and 1953). Santee was a member of the 1952 U.S. Olympic team in the 5,000 meters. He broke three world records while at Kansas, twice setting new marks in the indoor mile run (1954, 4:04.9; 1955, 4:03.8) and in the outdoor 1,500 meters (1954, 3:42.8). A two-time outdoor All-American, Santee won the 5,000 meters in 1952 and the mile run in 1953. Santee collected seven conference championships: three indoor (1952-54, mile run; 1953, 880 yards) and four outdoor (1952-54, mile run; 1953, 880 yards). A member of the KU Hall of Fame, Santee’s statue at Rim Rock Farm can be found at the start of the second mile of the course, west of the Shady Glen.

SANTEE’S ACCOLADES

• 1953 NCAA Individual Cross Country Champion • Member of 1953 NCAA Cross Country Championship Team • 1952 and 1953 Big Seven Conference Cross Country Champion • 1952 Olympian in 5,000-meter run • Broke three world records while at Kansas

SANTEE’S WORLD RECORDS AT KANSAS

1954: Indoor Mile: 4:04.9 1954: Outdoor 1,500 meters: 3:42.8 1955: Indoor Mile: 4:03.8