Wes Santee
- Category : Sports-Track-and-Field
- Type : GE
- Profile : 2/4 - Hermit / Opportunist
- Definition : Triple Split
- Incarnation Cross : RAX Service 1
Biography
American athlete, a record-setting track and field champion In the 1950s he set records for running a mile in just a stitch over 4 minutes and for running 1500 meters in just under 4 minutes (June 4, 1954). He was suspended for accepting too much expense money. Controversy surrounded him for breaking training at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, a charge he denied, just as he denied being overly reimbursed for expenses.
The son of an abusive ranch-hand, Santee ran the five-mile route to school and back. In 1949 he won an athletic college scholarship to the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in physical education. He joined the Marine Corps to fulfill his military obligation and after his discharge, he stayed on in the Marine Reserves. He ran an insurance agency after his running career ended.
In 2005, he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
His three marriages produced three children. He died of cancer on November 14, 2010 at his home in Eureka, KS.