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Runners on the Way Up
Matt Holthaus and Julie Henner
Local Athletes Who Have Achieved National Class StatusBy Randy Mayes
August 1999
Washington Running Report
Matt Holthaus
With his father in the Defense Department, Matt Holthaus traveled around the world when he was younger and attended The Swiss International School and participated in annual track meets each spring. After returning to the U.S. for the eighth grade, the 110m hurdles, triple jump, decathlon, and 400m were his events. During his senior year at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD, his coach recognized that the 800m, 1500m, and the mile would be his best events. After being seen at The Penn Relays, he was recruited by several colleges. After visiting James Madison, he made his decision. At James Madison, he was a four-time All American, an Academic All American, and set school records in the 800m (1:47.87) and indoor mile (4:01.38).
In his first year with the Enclave, he ran 3:58.8 for the indoor mile. He also has personal bests of 1:47.27 for 800m and 3:38.7 for 1500m. At the 1996 Olympic Trials in Atlanta, he placed twelfth in the 1500m (3:46.98). At the 1997 National Indoor Championships, he was second in the mile. In 1998 he placed second in The Pennsylvania Avenue Mile (4:04). For the 1999 Indoor season, he placed first at The New Balance Invitational (4:02.13), third at The Chase Millrose Games (4:01.01), and first at the adidas DC Invitational (4:00.69).
He has experimented with mileage as high as 90 per week, but has determined that 60 to 65 miles and cross training work best for him. He also participates in cross-country for strength. In the 1997 National 12K Cross- Country Championships, he placed 76th.
Matt is a graduate assistant to track coach Matt Centrowitz at American University where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Film and Video. Recently he won the 1999 National Indoor Mile Championships in Atlanta and is training for The National Outdoor Championships and possibly The Grand Prix Circuit.
Juli Henner
At the age of eight, Juli Henner was already sprinting past her competition. She developed the attitude that she could be a world-class sprinter. Living her fantasy, she has run with the world's best. Injuries and, ironically, the lack of mental toughness and confidence have kept her from realizing her true potential. A 1988 graduate of W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA, she was ranked second in the state for 800m. Receiving B.A. and Master's degrees in Sports Administration from James Madison University where she once coached cross-country, she was an All-American in the 1500m. In 1995 she joined the Enclave and is coached by Ron Helmer. She also trains with her husband, Pat, who is the head track coach at James Madison.
In 1993 and 1995, Juli competed successfully internationally in Budapest and the World University Games. In 1994 she was ranked fifth and in 1997 seventh by USATF for 1500m. In 1996 she placed first at the Atlanta Grand Prix and The Penn Relays 1500m. At the 1996 Olympic Trials she placed second in the 1500m (4:09.49) and made the U.S. Olympic Team. Plantar fasciitis affected her performance in the Olympic heats, so she was unable to compete.
Until the injury healed, Juli trained on a stationary bike and in the pool. In 1997, she came back and set a mile PR of 4:26.74. Much of 1998 was plagued with injuries. This year she placed third at The Millrose Games in the mile (4:38.73). Other personal bests include 800m (2:00.8), 1500m (4:06.68), and 3000m (9:03.09). Logging 60 to 70 miles and weight training three times per week, Juli is healthy and confident, and is training for the 1500m at the National Outdoor Championships in June.