BOSTON, Mass. – Simeon Birnbaum, a standout distance runner from Rapid City, South Dakota, broke the University of Oregon indoor men’s 3,000-meter record on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
Birnbaum, a sophomore, finished the race in 7 minutes, 39.65 seconds, topping the previous Oregon school record of 7:40.51 set by Edward Cheserek in 2016. The time makes Birnbaum the first Oregon man to run under 7:40 in the event.
The performance continues a remarkable athletic career for the Rapid City native. Before joining the Ducks, Birnbaum was a track and cross-country star at Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota. His high school career included 13 South Dakota state championships and setting multiple national records, including the second-fastest U.S. high school time ever in the two-mile run.
Birnbaum’s collegiate success highlights the elite level of running talent emerging from the state of South Dakota. He is now etched into the Oregon track and field program’s history as a record holder in the 3,000m.
