Newbury Park Boys CRUSH IT In New York; Colin Sahlman Breaks 4:00 (3:58.81) as Lex Young Runs 7:57.06 and Aaron Sahlman 8:01.72

by Robert Johnson
February 5, 2022

In the fall, the Newbury Park boys showed they were the greatest US boys high school cross country squad in history. Today, they showed their success isn’t limited to the grass as at the Dr. Sander Columbia Challenge at the Armory in New York they ran some historically good track times.

First up were HS juniors Lex Young and Aaron Sahlman in the 3000. Running in a race eventually won by Binghamton University’s Dan Schaffer in 7:53.74, Young went out in 4:15.97 for 1600 and Sahlman wasn’t too far behind in 4:16.78. The US high school national record hunt (7:56.97) was on. In the end, Lex just missed breaking his big brother Nico’s national record as after closing in a quick 28.68 he ran 7:57.06, good for #2 on the US and Newbury Park HS indoor list. Sahlman ran 8:01.72 which places him #4 on the all-time US HS indoor list and #3 on his school’s list.

Top 5 Fastest US HS Boys Indoor 3000 Runners
Per Track and Field News

  1.  7:56.97 Nico Young (Newbury Park, California) 2020
  2.  7:57.06 Lex Young (Newbury Park, California) 2022
  3. 7:59.33 Drew Hunter (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia) 2016
  4. 8:01.72 Aaron Sahlman  (Newbury Park, California) 2022
  5. 8:05.46 Edward Cheserek’ (St. Benedict’s, Newark, New Jersey) 2013

Next up was Aaron’s older brother Colin Sahlman – the high school senior and Newbury Park #1 – in the mile. Running in a field that included professional Ryan Hill and Robby Andrews, Colin went out in 8th place at halfway in (2:01.30 for 809). At the bell (3:31.02), he was in 4th but his last lap was magnificent. He threw down a 27.79 to not only break 4:00 (he finished in 3:58.81)  but to also destroy the field as second place ended up being Eric Holt in 4:00.01.

3:58.81 makes Colin Sahlman the 3rd fastest US high schooler ever indoors according to TFN.

Top 5 Fastest US HS Boys Indoor Milers
Per Track and Field News

  1. 3:57.66 Hobbs Kessler (Skyline, Ann Arbor, Michigan) 2021
  2. 3:57.81 Drew Hunter (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia) 2016
  3. 3:58.81 Colin Sahlman (Newbury Park CA) 2022
  4. 3:59.86 Alan Webb (South Lakes, Reston, Virginia) 0221
  5. 4:00.05 Brodey Hasty (Brentwood, Tennessee) 2018

Full 3000 results splits are here. Full mile results and splits are here.

Article continues below player.

Post Race Interviews:

Colin Sahlman talks after breaking 4:00

Newbury Park coach Sean Brosnan talks to the media afterwards:

Talk about today’s Newbury Park results on our world-famous fan forum / messageboard below. Did you know we have a HS-only board?

  1. Colin Sahlman 3:58.81
  2. Does Colin Sahlman break 4 Saturday Night?
  3. 7:57i, 8:01i, & 3:58i, so I guess the track was short? SHUT UP about RunningLane!
  4. Aaron Sahlman > Colin and all the Youngs
  5. Lex Young 7:57, Aaron Sahlman 8:01
  6. Colin Sahlman is Lukas Verzbicas 2.0

Related: LRC The 2021 Newbury Park Boys Are the Greatest High School Cross Country Team in US History

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