Which is why I have said that only 2 athletes, Ryun and Gerry Lindgren, really belong in the conversation about the greatest high school middle distance or distance runner. The fact that both of them still rank very high on the all-time HS lists in their respective events Is an indication of just how otherworldly they were. Lex Young ran 13:44 for 5000 m with modern tracks, super shoes and modern training methods. Lindgren ran the same almost 60 years ago with none of that.
To add another perspective, when Lindgren ran 13:44 the world record was 13:35.
Which is why I have said that only 2 athletes, Ryun and Gerry Lindgren, really belong in the conversation about the greatest high school middle distance or distance runner. The fact that both of them still rank very high on the all-time HS lists in their respective events Is an indication of just how otherworldly they were. Lex Young ran 13:44 for 5000 m with modern tracks, super shoes and modern training methods. Lindgren ran the same almost 60 years ago with none of that.
To add another perspective, when Lindgren ran 13:44 the world record was 13:35.
i actually had to look this up because i was like, there is no way, but you are right. so an american high schooler was just 9 sec off the world record. that’s wild!