Andrew Sockalexis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Sockalexis
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| Born | January 11, 1892 Old Town, Maine
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| Died | August 26, 1919 (aged 27) South Paris, Maine
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| Occupation | Athlete |
| Spouse(s) |
Pauline Shay
(m. 1913) |
Andrew Sockalexis was a talented American athlete. He was a long-distance runner who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics. He was born on January 11, 1892, and passed away on August 26, 1919.
Contents
Early Life and Running
Andrew Sockalexis was born in Old Town, Maine, on January 11, 1892. He was a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, a Native American tribe. His older cousin, Louis Sockalexis, was a famous baseball player. Andrew grew up on the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation.
He started running when he was ten years old. His father even built a track for him and encouraged him to practice. As he got older, Andrew explored many trails around his island home. He often ran several times around an island trail. From a young age, Andrew was determined to become a marathon runner. He trained all year round. In winter, he ran on river ice using special spiked shoes. During other seasons, he used the many trails on his island. Andrew was once timed running 2.7 miles in just thirteen minutes.
Olympic Dream and Success
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As a young man, Andrew received training from coaches Tom Daley and Arthur Smith. Tom Daley coached Andrew until he was 18 years old. In 1911, Arthur Smith, the track coach at the University of Maine, helped Andrew prepare for the United States Olympic Team tryouts. These tryouts were held at Harvard University.
Andrew qualified for the marathon along with eleven other runners. He competed in the 1912 Olympics, which took place in Sweden. The United States marathon team was sponsored by the Dorchester AA team. Andrew told a newspaper that he was running not only for the United States but also for his own people, the Penobscot. Coach Smith expressed confidence that the U.S. team had a good chance to win the Olympic marathon. Andrew finished in fourth place with a time of 2 hours, 42 minutes, and 7 seconds. He was only five minutes behind the winner. Harold Reynolds, a Boston Post Commissioner, said that Andrew finished strongly, running like a true champion.
When Andrew returned home from the Olympics, he received a hero's welcome, as if he had won the marathon. He was invited to run in many races across New England. Andrew also competed in the Boston Marathon in both 1912 and 1913, finishing second in both races.
Personal Life
Andrew married Pauline Shay on November 16, 1913. Pauline was also a member of the Penobscot tribe, from his reservation village at Indian Island, Maine.
Later Years and Passing
In 1916, Andrew ran his last race. It was a 15-mile race from Old Town to Bangor. Andrew was suffering from a bad cold and had chest pains. His doctor warned him not to run, but Andrew insisted. He started the race ahead of the other runners, despite his cold. At the 12-mile mark, Andrew was hundreds of yards ahead of his friend Clarence DeMar. It looked like he would easily win the race.
Andrew crossed the finish line in Bangor. As he stopped running, he began to cough up blood and then collapsed. Soon after the race, Andrew was diagnosed with tuberculosis. This was a serious illness that had affected his family before. Andrew was very sick for three years. In the summer of 1919, he passed away in the town of South Paris, Maine, at the age of 27.
See Also
