NAU Men, Notre Dame Women Post Historic Winning Times In DMR To Secure Spots In Competitive NCAA Field

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

John Nepolitan/DyeStat file photo

It seemed quite fitting that Drew Griffith’s historic and record-breaking indoor 2-mile performance came on his future home track. 

Saturday afternoon at the University of Notre Dame’s Alex Wilson Invitational, Griffith a senior at Butler Area High in Pennsylvania and future member of the Fighting Irish, won the men’s Golden Dome 2-mile race in a time of 8 minutes, 38.67 seconds — the fastest indoor 2-mile time in high school U.S. history.

RESULTS

Edward Cheserek has held the national record of 8:39.15 since in 2013. Before that, it was Gerry Lindgren's 8:40.0 back in 1964. 

“It was an awesome experience to be able to run at my future home track,” Griffith said. “It was a really fun time to get out there and get an experience on the track. I am super proud of this race and how fast I was able to run.”

Run on Notre Dame’s oversize track at The Loftus Center, Griffith’s time does not qualify as a national record, but it is the fastest all-time and all-conditions indoors. Right behind Griffith was future Notre Dame teammate Ryan Pajak of Ringgold High PA in a personal-best time of 8:47.16. The two currently have the fastest prep two mile times in the country.

Last fall, Griffith and Pajak went 1-2 at the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships with Griffith winning in 15:06.9. 

“It’s always a great honor to get to run with my friend and competitor Ryan,” Griffith said. “I’m excited to get to race with him even more and see what we can accomplish together before we toe the line in the same uniform next year.”

Will Conway of Floyd Central, IN was third in 8:48.18 five finished in under nine minutes. Colin Whitaker of Lampeter, PA, also an ND-commit, finished in seventh (9:02.66). 

While the boys 2-mile was one of the highlights, the Notre Dame women’s Distance Medley Relay team threw down a dominating performance, clocking 10:44.62, No. 3 all-time. Olivia Markezich anchored the Fighting Irish with a 4:22.31 split. 

And Northern Arizona snatched the No. 1 time in the men's DMR away from Washington by running 9:17.43. North Carolina also bumped ahead of the Huskies by placing second in 9:17.92. Michigan was third with 9:19.33.