Prefontaine Classic – VERZBICAS CONFIRMED FOR PRE CLASSIC 2-MILE

            Eugene, Oregon—America’s best high school distance runner, Lukas Verzbicas, is confirmed for the Prefontaine Classic 2-Mile on June 4^th at Hayward Field. Verzbicas is considered the prime candidate to break the High School Record of 8:34.40, set by German Fernandez three years ago.

            The 18-year-old Verzbicas has been running very well since he set the prep sophomore mile record of 4:04.38 two years ago, a personal best he has since lowered to 4:03.88 indoors. This past fall and winter, Lukas has been on a tear. In the space of six months, the resident of New Lenox, Illinois has won the Nike Cross and Foot Locker Championships in cross country, set an indoor 5k HSR of 14:06.78, and finished second in the Shamrock Shuffle 8k and BAA Road Mile against open competitors. In fact, the native of Lithuania recorded an amazing triple indoors this year with his 5k record on March 11^th, followed by an 8:40.70 2-Mile and 4:10.67 mile on March 13^th.

            Verzbicas, a commit to the University of Oregon next year, announced his Prefontaine participation in the 2-Mile on his Twitter account today. The entire field for the Prefontaine Classic 2-Mile will be announced next Monday, May 16^th and it will feature many of the top professional athletes from around the world.

            Tickets for the 37^th Annual Prefontaine Classic are on sale at www.goducks.com, from 1-800-WEBFOOT, or at the University of Oregon Athletic Department ticket office. The NIKE Prefontaine Classic will be televised live on NBC from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. on June 4^th.