Arguably the most talented prep distance runner in the nation brings his considerable skills to Track Town, USA. Established a high school record in the two miles (8:29.46) and became just the fifth runner all-time to break the 4:00 barrier in the mile as a prep (3:59.71). Two-mile record came during the 2011 Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field. Won five national championships his senior year. A two-time national Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year.
2011-12: Cross Country - One of five freshmen to factor in the scoring at the Pac-12 championships with his 23rd-place finish in 23:55 (8,000 meters). Was the Ducks' No. 4 scorer. Made his Oregon debut at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational, where he finished 62nd in a deep and large field (24:35.4/8,000 meters).
Prep: Accumulated accolades, honors, records and national titles at a mind-boggling pace his final year in high school. Became the first high school runner ever to sweep both national cross country titles at the two major prep events in December of 2010. Won the individual 5,000-meter title at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland on Dec. 4 with a time of 15:59.2. A week later at the Foot Locker national championships in San Diego, became the first repeat champion since Dathan Ritzenhein in 1999-00. Ran 14:59 (5,000 meters) to win by more than 11 seconds. That served as a precursor to his track season. Indoors, became the first person ever to accomplish an almost-inconceivable triple victory at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. Opened the meet by winning the 5,000 meters in an indoor prep record 14:06.78, to break his own national mark. That time is the third-best all-conditions 5K in prep history. Followed that the next day by taking the two miles in 8:40.70 and the mile in 4:10.67. Outdoor season featured a sub-4:00 mile and high school record at two miles. Set the two-mile mark in front of a sold-out Hayward Field at the Prefontaine Classic. Crossed the line in 8:29.46 to beat German Fernandez's 2008 time of 8:34. A week later, became just the fifth high schooler to go under 4:00 in the mile, and the first in a decade, when he won the race in 3:59.71 at the adidas Grand Prix. That was the fourth-best mile ever by a prep runner. Was also a two-time Illinois Class 3A state cross country champion for Carl Sandburg High School where he was twice named the national Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year. He ran a personal-best 13:54.00 in winning the 2010 three-mile Illinois cross country state title. Led the nation in the mile among high schoolers in 2010 with a time of 4:04.38. Initially set the national high school indoor record in the 5,000 meters, 14:18.42, in 2009 at the Nike Indoor National meet in Boston. Graduated early, having skipped his junior year on an accelerated academic program. High School Bests: Mile - 3:59.71, 2011; Two Miles - 8:29.46, 2011; 5,000 Meters - 14:06.78 (i), 2011.
Personal: Major is political science. Native of Kaunas, Lithuania, moved to the United States when he was eight.
Personal Bests
Mile - 3:59.71,
adidas Grand Prix,
New York, N.Y., 6/11/11
5,000 Meters - 14:06.78 (i),
New Balance Indoor Nationals,
New York, N.Y., 3/11/11
Pac-12 Cross Country Championships
2011 - 23rd, 23:55