Throwback: Sean Torpy's Fastest High School Mile In 2016

* The 2016 Elite Boys Field at the Magis Miles

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In 2016, two weeks removed from his first Illinois Class 3A state title in the 1,600m in June of that year, Sandburg High School senior Sean Torpy found himself on the line with a chance for a major PR in the mile.  

He had nothing to lose.

Beside him, of course, was his brother Chris, who, like Sean, had also claimed a state title in Illinois those few weeks prior, setting a then-PR in the 800m. The pair had helped Sandburg set a Class 3A state record in the 4x800 that season, going 7:37.36. 

The duo both found themselves in a good position, in large part because their objective wasn't to win but to chase. Collegiates like Jake Campbell, a 2012 graduate of Edina (MN) High School and a St. Olaf College senior, and Eric Delvo, a 2011 graduate of Sacred-Heart Griffin (IL) and Bradley University athlete, had been fit enough to attempt a sub-4. 

And so that gave the Torpy's all the incentive they needed: Just stay close enough to the top two and see where the chips fall. 

So in 2016, just two years into a race that would become an llinois post-season tradition, those in attendance would witness (one of) the fastest high school field(s) ever. 

Sean Torpy would end the night with the fastest overall 1,600m (en route) in the country and the 10th best mile from that season. Since then, no high school boy has run faster at the Magis Miles -- though many have tried. 

Here's how it went down. 

At 550 meters ... Sean and Chris ran conservatively over the first quarter -- a smart decision -- slotting in sixth and seventh, respectively. 

By 800 meters ... however, the brothers made a move, choosing to move up and run with more flexibility behind Campbell, away from the pack. 

That ultimately proved to be a good decision. 

By 1,000 meters ... both Sean and Chris were running side-by-side in second and third, respectively, forcing Devlo (in the white) to make a late move to pass. 

At 1350 meters ... while Delvo eventually passed both Torpy's in the final lap, it may have done just enough to keep him off of Campbell's heels. 

Sean came through the 1,400m mark at 3:35, needing just a 30-second last 200 meters to close. 

Campbell would go on to finish with the all-time fastest mile ever recorded at the Magis Miles, going 4:02.05, while Delvo wasn't far behind in second, recording the second-fastest effort in 4:03.39. 

The Torpy's held on for fourth and fifth, with Sean posting an overall high school mile best of 4:05.10. Chris was fifth in 4:05.40. 

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All-Time Magis Mile Men's Record

High School Boys Magis Mile Results Through The Years

Retrospective: Sean finished the season with the No. 1 time in the country for 1,600m meters in 4:03.42, and 10th best in the mile. The brothers would continue their track and field careers at Miami University of Ohio, where Sean recorded three impressive times in 2019: An 800m best of 1:48.44; a 1,500m best of 3:44.24; and a 5K personal record of 14:01.02. That same season, he reached the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 800m, going out in the rounds. Chris also scored overall PRs just three seasons later with Miami, posting PRs of 1:49.60 in the 800m, 4:03.40 in the mile, 8:56.08 in the 3K and14:42.08 in the 5K. Interestingly enough, Sean would circle back with the Magis Miles in 2018 and bettered his mark, entering the all-time rankings, ninth overall in 4:05.06.

Related Links: 

• Retro Moments series page