While the top American distance runners get ready to compete in London, one of the bright young stars made a huge career decision. Former Oklahoma State All-American German Fernandez signed with agent Tom Ratcliffe and his KIMbia agency, then signed a contract with Nike, while deciding to join Jerry Schumacher and his training group.

Schumacher’s growing group includes six 2012 Olympians in Shalane Flanagan, Evan Jager, Kara Goucher, Matt Tegenkamp, Lisa Uhl and Lopez Lomong. Other notable athletes include Chris Solinsky, Canadian Simon Bairu, Andrew Bumbolough, Tim Nelson and newcomer Elliott Heath.

While Fernandez joins Team Schumacher, adding his incredible talent and potential to an already dominant group, his addition could mean a few shifts in the tide both for Fernandez as a runner and for Schumacher’s stable of athletes.

Fernandez Moves Up in Distance

Schumacher doesn’t seem to mind shifting his athletes into different events, especially if he believes they’ll succeed at a much higher level. Evan Jager’s switch to the steeplechase is the perfect example. Jager was a very good 5k runner, but Schumacher saw his potential in the steeple and decided he should take his Olympic shot in that event, which has obviously paid off regardless of what happens in London.

Fernandez spent the majority of his college career focusing on the 1,500m. Despite injury, he still made quite an impact in the event. While it’s been reported that he’ll focus on the 1,500m and 3,000m in European racing this summer, it would not be at all surprising if he shifts gears in his training this fall/winter, jumping up to become a 5,000m specialist. Schumacher obviously knows how to coach the 5k, with so much success with Tegenkamp and Solinsky, but if Fernandez can stay healthy, he can thrive in the 5k.

Team Schumacher Gets Younger

When Schumacher moved his pro group out to Portland, it included Tegenkamp, Solinsky, Bairu, Nelson and Jager. While Jager will still under 21, all of the other athletes were post-collegiate runners. That group has matured, and even while expanding the group with Flanagan, Goucher, Lomong, etc., it’s still a group of experienced post-collegiate athletes.

Fernandez, as well as Heath, gives Team Schumacher a shot of youth, injecting youthful enthusiasm and more speed into the group. This is an important part to a group maintaining success and Fernandez still holds a certain cache amongst collegians, which could be a recruiting tool for bringing on more top freshly graduated athletes (Chris Derrick anyone?).

It’s Time to Get Healthy

We’re all well aware of Fernandez’ health issues ever since he was in high school. The injury bug has bitten him for years, having few seasons of completely injury-free training and racing. Now that Fernandez is a pro, it’s time for him to take the time to get fully healthy, slowly progress in his training and for Team Schumacher’s medical staff to help Fernandez figure out and work on staying injury free.

A healthy Fernandez, with a strong training base behind him, will raise the bar for all of Team Schumacher. Fernandez has proven he can be one of the best distance runners in the country when healthy. Add a healthy Fernandez to the already strong 5k/10k group and the entire group could be pushed to even high levels of success.

German Fernandez joining Jerry Schumacher’s group is important. There is little risk and great reward. Fernandez has the talent, he has tremendous experience, he’s shown he is a team player and can be one of the exceptional American distance running standouts as long as he can stay healthy.