Year In Review: Culpepper Comes Oh So Close To Breaking 4

Not once, but twice, did Cruz Culpepper threaten the 4-minute mile barrier in 2020.

Before the outdoor season had arrived and been canceled, the Niwot senior flirted with the most coveted barrier in track during the indoor season. 

Culpepper ran the fastest mile by a Colorado runner ever, running 4:01.65, then 4:00.10 indoors - both Washington's 300-meter Dempsey Track among collegiate competition.

His 4:00.10 was only behind Drew Hunter's 3:57.81, Alan Webb's 3:59.86, and Brodey Hasty's 4:00.05. 

While COVID-19 washed away most of his chances of cracking the mark outdoors, Culpepper's 4:00.10 was the No. 1 time in the country during the 2020 indoor season. Additionally, he did go on to run 1:48.50 at the Desert Dream Last Hurrah in June, which is the fastest 800 ever run by a Colorado boy. For his efforts, he's is tied for the No. 3 story of 2020.

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