Poly Alum Breaks Four-Minute Mile

Reported by Head Cross Country Coach, Rick Caragher

On February 26, Xian Shively ’18 achieved the unthinkable: with a strong closing lap, he ran a sub-four minute mile clocking in at 3:59.74. Representing Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Xian competed in the Boston University Last Chance Invite Mile Run. Xian finished fourth in the indoor track race that featured elite collegians. As the newest member of the Roger Bannister Club, Xian shared, "I was so happy when I found out my time," which was a three-second improvement over his previous personal best. As Xian etches his name in Poly distance lore, we believe he becomes the first Panther and Prep League runner to break the four-minute barrier. Xian joins Cal Poly teammate Aidan McCarthy (who also went sub-four that day) as the first Mustangs in school history to achieve this epic accomplishment. 
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