German Fernandez sets National 2-Mile Record

The event that was touted the most anticipated High School race ever, lived up to its billing and a whole lot more Friday night at Nike Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina. The last attempt of the Summer at the National 2-mile record took place, and in its wake only one prep athlete was left standing. After months of discussions and gutsy performances out on the track German Fernandez put all doubts to rest as he kicked his way to a record setting performance of 8.34.40, shattering the previous record of 8.36.3 held since 1979 by Jeff Nelson.

The fans guided Fernandez around the track as the PA announcer begged the crowd to be a part of history with their enthusiasm. This was the featured event of Nike Outdoor Nationals that many believe had more talent than had ever been seen before. Many of German's family and friends made the cross-country treck to Greensboro, North Carolina to see the record setting attempt.

Worn out and completely exhausted, the grateful Fernandez went over for an interview in front of the stadium. He immediately thanked the crowd for their support and added had they not been behind him from the start, the record would not have fallen.

When asked what was next for Fernandez, he replied "I've got a National Championship to win at Oklahoma State next year." Is there any doubt that the same competitor who put on the most impressive single-day showing ever at the CIF State Track and Field Championships last month can't do it?

Video

Below you can watch the entire race from start to finish with Flotrack and MileSplit US commentary as it took place live, Friday June 20, 2008.

Unofficial Splits for the National 2-Mile Record set by Fernandez:

400 SPLITS / ACCRUED TIME
64.2
65.8 2:10.0
65.0 3:14.9
64.5 4:19.4 (1 mile)

63.9 5:23.3
64.7 6:28.0
63.3 7:31.3
63.1 8:34.40 (2 mile)

800 SPLITS
2:10 / 2:09.4 / 2:08.6 / 2:06.4

MILE SPLITS
4:19.4 / 4:15.0

Full Results:

Finals                                                          
  1 Fernandez, German         08 Riverbank, CA          8:34.40S
  2 Puskedra, Luke            08 Ogden, UT              8:47.06O
  3 Lowe, Colby               08 Southlake, TX          8:47.07O
  4 Finnerty, Robert          08 Burnsville, MN         8:50.96F
  5 Williams, Kevin           08 Lakewood, CO           8:51.30F
  6 Darling, Maverick         08 Ovid, MI               8:57.80F
  7 Aprill, Bobby             08 Dexter, MI             8:59.50F
  8 Unterreiner, Miles        08 Gig Harbor, WA         9:02.48F
  9 Kaulbach, Max             08 Philadelphia, PA       9:06.44 
 10 Keveren, Sean             08 Brentwood, TN          9:06.59 
 11 Medrano, Francisco        08 Lafayette, IN          9:06.75 
 12 Hill, Ryan                08 Hickory, NC            9:07.36 
 13 Haile, Solomon            09 Silver Spring, MD      9:07.66 
 14 Abdalla, Mohamed          08 San Jose, CA           9:08.61 
 15 Smith, Douglas            09 Succasunna, NJ         9:11.48 
 16 Bazell, Graham            09 Columbia, MD           9:13.06 
 17 Lovelace, Luke            08 Chapin, SC             9:18.61 
 18 Krause, Elliot            08 Appleton, WI           9:19.00 
 19 Springer, Andrew          09 Westerly, RI           9:21.13 
 20 Nicolls, Bobby            09 Parker, CO             9:23.42 
 21 Bodary, Chris             08 Downingtown, PA        9:23.45 
 22 O'Donnell, MacLean        08 Oak Ridge, TN          9:25.15 
 23 Udland, Tyler             10 Short Hills, NJ        9:25.80 
 24 Lachowitzer, Kevin        08 Perham, MN             9:26.62 
 25 Bosshard, Joe             08 Crested Butte, CO      9:36.33 
 26 Hernandez, Francis        10 Windham, NH            9:41.53 
 -- DelBene, Colby            08 Patterson, NY              DNF 
 -- Beabout, Ryan             08 Wheeling, WV               DNS 
 -- Sheinbaum, Julian         08 Scarsdale, NY              DNS