Bringing together runners with a collective two International Gold Medals, 22 NCAA national titles, 29 NCAA Conference titles and 43 All-American honors, the On Athletics Club (OAC) has been formed to help build an infrastructure for the ongoing recruitment and development of elite international runners.
The inaugural roster, to be coached by three-time U.S Olympian and NCAA title-holder Dathan Ritzenhein, includes Joe Klecker, Alicia Monson, Leah Falland (O’Connor), Emily Oren, Alicja Konieczek, Carlos Villarreal, Oliver Hoare and George Beamish.
All eight athletes will be based full-time at the OAC training facility in Boulder, CO, and will train to compete in national and international competitions throughout the world. On’s global sports marketing manager, Steve DeKoker, and two-time U.S. Olympian and On’s sports marketing specialist, Andrew Wheating, will join Ritzenhein in managing OAC operations.
Over the next 10 months, the OAC team will have its sights set on the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo for the individual representation of their respective nations. The mission for OAC remains to develop and support a group of talented and disciplined individuals in their quest to become champions in their sport.
“We’ve selected some of the finest athletes in our inaugural roster for the On Athletics Club, including national and international record holders,” says On co-founder Olivier Bernhard. “Our world-class, founding members include a multi-national group of top-ranked athletes from the NCAA who have proven to be among the best in their field.
“Under the tutelage and leadership of our professional management team, OAC is committed to supporting talented and disciplined individuals in their quest to become champions in their sport,” he adds. “We are excited to announce this significant milestone for our first residential program in talent development that will also bring some unique and exciting content for track fans to follow.”