Triangle Renaissance Man Qualifies for Olympics

RALEIGH — June 19, 1996 - 7:30 p.m. EDT

Dan Middleman is a novelist, a graduate student at North Carolina State University, and a teaching assistant at Powell Magnet School in Raleigh.

And, oh, by the way, he just qualified for a spot on the 1996 U.S. Olympic 10,000 meter racing team.

Middleman's biggest fans, his students and co-workers, watched a videotape of his qualifying heat Wednesday, cheered when it was over then watched it again.

Middleman had not revealed his lifelong dream of a shot at Olympic Gold to many, but talked about it at length to his special needs students. On Wednesday he illustrated a lesson he frequently teaches ... perseverance.

His students beamed with pride watching Middleman take the third available place in the 10,000 meter race category. They say they hope he'll come back to school in September carrying a medal.

Middleman will run in the 10,000 meter race on July 6, 1996 in the new Olympic Stadium in Atlanta.