Reed Brown the 10th prep to break four minutes in mile

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Reed Brown of Southlake Carroll TX became the 10th U.S. high school athlete to break the four-minute barrier in the mile Thursday at the Festival of Miles in St. Louis. RESULTS

Running against a pro field, Brown ran 3:59.30 to dip under the magical standard. That vaulted him all the way up to No. 4 all-time and slightly ahead of both Grant Fisher and Matthew Maton (both ran 3:59.38 in 2015). He is also the first Texan to make the list.

Brown, an Oregon signee, also became the third consecutive Foot Locker cross country champion to break the barrier, joining Fisher and Drew Hunter. 

"I'm so happy for him," Southlake Carroll coach Justin Leonard said. "He set this goal last year at the end of track season. That's what he's been working for. He's put in a lot of hard work and it's paid off. It's been really special to be a part of it."

Brown, who graduates on Friday night, is the first miler to break four minutes this spring, but others are close. David Principe Jr has been within a second twice and Cooper Teare, Sam Worley and Casey Clinger all seem to be on the cusp.

Also, Caitlin Collier of The Bolles School, a junior, broke a 41-year-old all-time Florida state best in the 800 meters by winning the women's 800 in 2:03.32. She clipped a long-held Florida best held by Robin Campbell of Oak Hall in 1976 (2:04.6).

Freshman Brandon Miller of John Burroughs MO, who won the Missouri Class 3 title last weekend, ran 1:52.42 to win the boys 800. 

Brodey Hasty of Brentwood TN, the high school indoor 2-mile national champion, ran 4:06.81 to win the high school boys mile race. 

Madison Mooney of Broomfield CO came down from altitude to win the girls mile in 4:50.66.

All-Time High School Mile List

1. Alan Webb, 2001, 3:53.43

2. Jim Ryun, 1965, 3:55.3

3. Andrew Hunter, 2016, 3:57.81 (indoors)

4. Reed Brown, 2017, 3:59.30

5. Matthew Maton, 2015, 3:59.38

(tie) Grant Fisher, 2015, 3:59.38

7. Tim Danielson, 1966, 3:59.4

8. Michael Slagowski, 2016, 3:59.53

9. Lukas Verzbicas, 2011, 3:59.71

10. Marty Liquori, 1967, 3:59.8