Vicki Huber
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
May 29, 1967 Wilmington, Delaware |
| Sport | |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Middle distance running (1500, 3000, 5000 m), Cross country running |
| College team | Villanova University |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
1500 m: 4:07.40 (1988) |
1500 m: 4:07.40 (1988)
3000 m: 8:37.25 (1988)
5000 m: 15:34.94 (1996)
Vicki Huber (born May 29, 1967) is a retired American middle distance and cross country runner.
Vicki Huber was born on May 29, 1967 in Wilmington, Delaware. Huber attended Concord High School where she began running as conditioning for field hockey. Concord's coach, Joe McNichol, recalled seeing Huber as "el Caballo", a reference to Alberto Juantorena, a Cuban Olympic champion. McNichol said that she "ran exactly like" Juantorena and that she was "a real thoroughbred." Huber won five state titles as a prep athlete, setting state records in the 800 and 1600 meters.
After graduating from high school, Huber attended Villanova University where she continued her running career. Huber struggled at first due to the intensity of the training program. At the time, Villanova coach Marty Stern thought that Huber "was a wimp" and hoped "she'd leave and go home." Although she won the 1986 Big East Conference championship in the 3000 meters, she did not qualify for the NCAA track and field championships. In the fall of 1986, Huber finished 29th at the NCAA cross country championships. Huber had a breakthrough during the 1987 indoor and outdoor track seasons, winning her first NCAA championships. She won the NCAA indoor championship in the 3000 meters. Huber entered the NCAA outdoor championships as the favorite to win the 3000 meters, and she did just that, winning in a meet record time of 8:54.41. That fall, she finished 9th at the NCAA cross country championships.
Huber's success continued in 1988. She won NCAA indoor championships in the 1500 and 3000 meters. At the NCAA outdoor track and field championships, Huber successfully defended her title in the 3000 meters, finishing in a collegiate-record time of 8:47.35. She then competed in the 1500 meters at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning in a time of 4:07.40. Following these victories, Huber attempted to qualify for the Summer Olympics in the 3000 meters. At the Olympic Trials, she faced a field which included American record-holder Mary Slaney. Huber ran with the pack at the beginning of the race before making a move with 1200 meters left. She caught Slaney with 800 meters to go, but Slaney's finishing speed was too much for Huber to overcome. Despite this, Huber finished 2nd with a time of 8:46.48, earning her a spot on the US team in Seoul. At the Olympics, Huber finished 6th in the 3000 meters with a time of 8:37.25. She ran a competitive race, taking the lead with 800 meters left, but she ended up eight seconds out of medal position.
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