Lukas Verzbicas, 18, New Lenox, IL

Lukas Verzbicas, 18
  • Born in Lithuania, 1993; emigrated to U.S. with family in 2002
  • Won 5000m, mile and 2 mile at 2011 New Balance Indoor Nationals. 14:06.78 in 5000m is U.S. high school and Junior record, besting his own previous mark
  • 2010 Nike Cross Nationals champion in 15:59.2
  • Defended Foot Locker XC title in 2010 with his winning 14:59; link to post-race video interview with him from that race
  • Graduated early from high school to enter college at University of Oregon in fall 2011; announced he was leaving program in Nov. 2011 to concentrate on triathlon leading up to the 2012 Olympics
  • Set U.S. high school 5000m record with a solo 14:18.42 (he also won the two mile in 8:57.44) at the Nike High School Indoor Nationals
  • Won the 2010 Jim Ryun High School Dream Mile in 4:04.38 at the adidas Grand Prix meet
  • At the adidas high school Dream Mile on June 11, 2011, Lukas runs 3:59.71 (1:57 last half) to become only the fifth U.S. high schooler to break the 4-minute barrier, joining Jim Ryun (1964), Tim Danielson (1966), Marty Liquori (1967) and Alan Webb (2001), and only Jim Ryun (1965) has also done it at a high school competition.
  • Two mile in 8:43.24 (#3 U.S. high school all-time) at 2011 NYRR Saturday Night at the Armory
  • Attends Lincoln Way High School in New Lenox, Illinois
  • Won the Foot Locker Cross Country Championship in December 2009; first sophomore boy to win HS harrier title
  • Also a triathlete, named to U.S. team for Pan American Junior Games, 2009
  • Won 2010 Nike Cross Country Mid-West Regional in 14:53.1
  • Runner-up in men's professional race at 2011 B.A.A. Invitational Mile in 4:16.8
  • U.S. high school 2 mile record, 8:29.46, 2011 Pre Classic
  • Link to article about him from Running Times Magazine

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