Green rallies from sixth on the final lap to secure second mile victory in consecutive days in different states; Saia adds 5,000 title to 4xmile relay championship for Real Training, with Bogdan, Orr and Truchon also victorious and New Jersey teams sweeping 1,600 sprint medley and DMR crowns

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor/Photos by Becky Holbrook

EUGENE, Ore. – Even when the prospect of a sub-4 mile was already gone and with the potential for winning two elite races in consecutive days in separate states appearing to become less likely with each passing lap Saturday at The Outdoor Nationals, presented by Nike, Nathan Green just kept reminding himself that he could close in 55 seconds.

He had done it running 4:00.97 in a mile in early June, and the graduate of Borah High in Idaho had demonstrated it again the day before by winning the Brooks PR Invitational in Washington in 4:01.76.

The University of Washington signee had also produced a 55-second final lap in his 8:53.47 effort in the 3,200 at the Idaho state meet in May, along with his 5:56.62 performance in the 2,000-meter steeplechase in April.

So with Green running in sixth place with a lap remaining, he relied on his grit and summoned his exceptional closing speed one last time as a prep athlete and rallied to win in 4:03.30, highlighted by a 55.48 final 400.

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Zane Bergen of Niwot High in Colorado, representing Real Training, placed second in 4:03.90, with Gavin Sherry of Conard High in Connecticut taking third in 4:07.20.

Green became the first Idaho male athlete to win a national title in any track event in meet history.

As he exited the track holding the finish line tape, the proud YMCA Team Idaho representative said, “Who would have thought? Not me. Hayward Magic, that’s what that is, Hayward Magic. Wow!”

Simon Saia, already a teammate with Bergen on the 4xmile relay national title Friday for Real Training, added a 5,000 championship Saturday in 14:30.66, achieving the No. 3 performance in Colorado prep history.

Micah Wilson of St. Charles East High in Illinois finished second in 14:38.06, holding off third-place Aidan Cox of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy in New Hampshire (14:38.75).

Joshua Truchon of West Allis Nathan Hale High captured the 2-mile championship in 8:54.14, securing the first national track title by any male athlete from Wisconsin.

A pair of Connecticut athletes finished second and third, as Nicholas Bendtsen of Wolcott clocked 9:00.91 and Aidan Puffer of Manchester ran 9:01.17.

Following several runner-up finishes against Austin Klingler of West Jordan High throughout the season, Jake Orr of Corner Canyon High in Utah not only prevailed in the final meet of the year, but also captured the 800 national championship by edging Miles Brown of Novi High in Michigan by a 1:50.92 to 1:50.95 margin.

Klingler won the final heat in 1:52.45, but placed fourth overall, as Orr, Brown and Adam Mason of Manvel High in Texas, who ran 1:51.60, all competed in the penultimate section.

Matthew Bogdan of Colts Neck High in New Jersey improved his personal best in the 2,000 steeplechase by 18 seconds to win the national title in 5:49.94, well ahead of Peter Fogarty of Saranac Lake High in New York, who finished in 5:58.83.

Ridgefield won an all-New Jersey battle in the distance medley relay, as Charlie King produced a 4:08.25 anchor split to lift the quartet to victory in 10:01.72, securing the team’s first DMR national title since 2016. Liam Carcich, Amit Markos and Benjamin Mickool ran the opening three legs for Ridgefield, with King receiving the baton in fifth place.

Valley Project Track Club, representing Ridge High, was second in 10:02.46 and Union Catholic took third in 10:02.86.

Valley Project had already repeated Friday as 4x800 national champions.

Saint Peter’s Prep added another national title for New Jersey with its performance in the 1,600 sprint medley relay, with Fitzroy Ledgister, Samuel Slade, Joseph Morrone and Edwin Klanke emerging victorious in 3:24.40.

Millford Mill Track Club of Maryland placed second in 3:28.10 and Cathedral High of Los Angeles, the 800-meter sprint medley relay national champions, took third in 3:29.53.