High schooler runs sub 4-minute mile

One week after breaking the high school two-mile record, Lukas Verzbicas further proved himself among the greatest American high school runners ever.

The Orland Park, Ill, senior ran 3:59.71 in the Dream Mile at the adidas Grand Prix meet at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island, becoming the fifth preps runner in history to break the 4-minute mile, and the first since Alan Webb in 2001.

"It's still unbelievable," Verzbicas said. "It was very tough, but I did it."

At last Saturday's Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., Verzbicas ran 8:29.46 to shatter the two-mile record by five seconds.

He also owns the indoor record at 5,000 meters, but for the Oregon-bound senior, breaking the 4-minute barrier ranks near the top of his accomplishments.

"It's a great honor," Verzbicas said. "The most impressive thing to me is that I'm not a short to middle-distance runner."

On a rainy, windy afternoon, the conditions were less than ideal for a run at history. With the lead pack coming through the half-mile at just under 2:02, Verzbicas knew he needed a speedy final half-mile to come in under the mark.

With about 700 meters remaining, he separated from the pack, but the magic number was anything but assured.

"I did not know until the last 50 meters, when I saw the clock," Verzbicas said.

After the race, Verzbicas said this would be his last race as a high school athlete. For the 18-year-old, he still has loftier goals, most notably a berth in the 5000-meters at the 2016 Olympics.

"I don't want to get too caught up in these moments," Verzbicas said.

But it was difficult for him not be awed by his surroundings. One of the first people to greet him when he finished was Jim Ryun, the former Kansas Congressman who broke the 4-minute mile five times as a high-schooler and is regarded as one of the greatest milers in American history.

Verzbicas, standing next to Ryun, had officially joined the sub-4 fraternity.

"I set this goal, I worked for it, and it came true," he said.