Casey Wonnenberg

No one in South Dakota has ever run the mile in under four minutes. Brad Lowery, however, a senior SDSU Physics major and Math minor, intends to change that this upcoming year.

“I believe he definitely could run the mile in under four minutes. He’s very persistent and intelligent,” said SDSU’s new cross country coach Rod DeHaven about Lowery, who currently runs the mile in 4:03 and the 1500 in 3:42.

Lowery has been named an All American six times. He was named the co-North Central Conference Men’s Indoor Track Outstanding Athlete of the Year by the league’s coaches for the 2003-04 season. At the Indoor Track NCC Championships in February, Lowery claimed the mile and 3,000-meter titles. Furthermore, he was named the NCC Outstanding Runner for the 2003 cross country season. Yet, when asked what his biggest accomplishment was thus far, he said, “Well, I haven’t really accomplished anything yet.”

Lowery, originally from Pierre, South Dakota, initiated his running career at the Hershey Track Meets when he was only five. This past summer in California he crossed the finish line in the 1500 meters only one second short of qualifying for the Olympic Trials.

“It was hard to deal with because I based my whole season on qualifying for the Olympic Trials. However, it was encouraging because I feel I can improve and be competitive with some of the best runners in the country,” Lowery said.

Lowery has realized that he has more time left to compte for a spot on the Olympic team.

“It calmed my nerves,” Lowery said, “I probably have two more shots left.”

Lowery is aiming to run the 1500 in the 2008 Olympics in Bejing, China.

Lowery has reached these heights of greatness through hard-work and dedication. Lowery runs around eighty miles a week during the fall. In ten years, Brad would like to still run competitively while maintaining a professional career.

“Brad is everything you could ever want in a student athlete. He’s an exceptional student, performer, and team player,” said DeHaven.

This year Lowery is redshirting in cross country but will continue to lead the SDSU indoor and outdoor track teams.

“I would like to compete in both the Indoor and Outdoor track US Championships this year,” said Lowery.

#1.886113:3407159707.jpg:BradLowery.jpg:SDSU runner, Brad Lowery, runs around eighty miles a week during his fall training. :