Arizona Coach Shatters Records on the Road to Paris 2024 Olympics

Grant Fisher won bronze in the men’s 10,000 meters in Paris on Friday, marking Team USA’s first medal in the event since 2012. Fisher’s coach has roots tied to Arizona.

SAINT-DENIS, France — American runner Grant Fisher made history on Friday, winning a bronze medal in the men’s 10,000-meter final. It was Team USA’s first medal in the event since Galen Rupp’s silver in London in 2012.

This historic achievement had its foundations laid in Arizona. Fisher’s coach, Mike Scannell, hails from the Valley. Scannell, who grew up in Tempe and graduated from McClintock High School in 1980, walked onto the Arizona State University cross country team in 1981. Their paths first crossed at ASU, where Scannell met Fisher’s father, Dan, who was on the same team.

After graduating, Scannell moved to Flint, Michigan, and reconnected with Dan Fisher, hiring him as a national sales manager. This professional link led to Scannell coaching a young Grant Fisher, who had recently turned his athletic focus from soccer to track after disappointing finishes in state races.

“I started taking running more seriously after those races,” Fisher said. “That summer, I trained diligently to prepare for cross-country and track seasons.”

At that time, Scannell did not foresee coaching a future Olympic medalist. “Grant’s priority was soccer, and he wasn’t special in terms of running initially,” Scannell remarked. “His mental focus and response to training—developed over time—set him apart.”

Fisher’s talent blossomed rapidly. He became one of only five boys to win two Foot Locker national cross country championships and one of seven high school runners to break the four-minute mile barrier. Collegiately, Fisher attended Stanford, earning 12 All-America honors, a national title in the 5,000 meters, and a runner-up finish in national cross country championships.

Turning professional in 2020, Fisher joined the Bowerman Track Club in Eugene, Oregon. He qualified for his first Olympics in 2021, finishing fifth in the 10,000 meters and ninth in the 5,000 meters in Tokyo. In 2023, Fisher left Bowerman to train in Park City, Utah, under Scannell once again.

During this period, Scannell also took charge of Hamilton High School’s cross country program in Chandler, significantly improving the teams’ state championship performances. Scannell documented their training journey in Utah on social media, showcasing Fisher’s determination and solo training sessions to achieve his goals.

Scannell celebrated Fisher’s victory at the US Olympic Trials in June and shared insights into what sets Fisher apart on social media, emphasizing consistent progress and a dream-driven mindset.

After Friday’s triumph, Scannell was seen celebrating into the early hours of Saturday in Paris. “The adrenaline kept me going,” he commented. “This achievement feels great after months of preparation.”

With another Olympic race on the horizon, Fisher aims to add to his medal tally in the men’s 5,000 meters on August 10. For now, Scannell is savoring Friday’s victory and offers words of motivation to aspiring athletes: “Stay the course and let your dreams drive your motivation.”

12News journalist Luke Lyddon contributed to this story.

Arizona sports

Phoenix hosts major professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium, while the Suns and Mercury are based at the Footprint Center. The Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League make their home at Desert Diamond Arena, and the USL’s Phoenix Rising FC plays at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium.

The Valley also hosts major sporting events yearly, such as the Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl, WM Phoenix Open, NASCAR Championship Weekend, and Cactus League Spring Training for MLB teams.

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