Less than a week after he finished his high school running career, Rapid City’s Simeon Birnbaum added another stamp to his already flourishing legacy.
On Thursday evening, the recent Stevens graduate competed in the HOKA Festival of Miles in St. Louis, Missouri. Birnbaum finished first in the mile run with a time of 3:57.53. Not only was this a career best for him in the event, but it’s the fourth fastest time in US history by a high school athlete.
Birnbaum is technically still labeled as a prep runner nationally, despite being a recent Stevens graduate.
In total, four runners at the HOKA Festival of Miles ran a sub four-minute mile on Thursday. Joining Birnbaum were Rocky Hansen (NC), Tinoda Matsatsa (MD), and Jackson Heidesch (IA).
The now former Stevens Raider also ran a sub-four-mile last June as well.
Birnbaum made headlines last week at the state high school track meet in Sioux Falls when he ran the 1600m with a time of 4:02.78, which broke the state record (4:09.8) in the event set by legendary long distance runner Rod DeHaven in 1984.
This fall, Birnbaum will attend the University of Oregon where he’ll run cross country and track for the Ducks.