Top 100 Irish America's Finest In Sport "What we talk about is great effort outstanding preparat

In 2000 Ryan was diagnosed withpancreatic cancer and is now in remission. Ryan told UVA about her brush with the disease and how it affected her. "I've learned to reach out to other people in this same position, and to families who have loved ones in this position. It's been a friend to me because I think that as much as an enemy it is, it's made me a better person, a better coach and a better mentor."

As well as continuing her quest for her first NCAA title, in 2004 Ryan coached the women's basketball team at the Pan-American Games, where they won the silver medal.

Alan Webb

At only 25, Alan Webb holds the American record for the mile at three minutes and 46.91 seconds, and ended the 2007 season as the fastest miler in the world. In September he won the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York over the defending champion, Kevin Sullivan.

Webb is one of several American runners represented by former Irish mile great Ray Flynn (89 sub-4:00 miles) who now owns and operates Flynn Sports Management.

Webb's mile record makes him the eighth fastest man in history. In addition to his mile triumph, he is also the world record holder for the 1500-meter run, at three minutes and thirty seconds. Coached by Scott Raczko, Webb gained valuable experience competing at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Ever improving, if he stays injury free and maintains this form, he will be a big threat at the Olympics in Beijing later this summer. Alan was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, today he resides in Reston, Virginia. He is continuing his college education at George Mason University. His Irish roots are from Co. Antrim where his ancestors lived in the early 1800s. His relative Joseph Antrim Webb immigrated to Philadelphia in the 19th century.

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