HOME PAGE -- RANKINGS
No. 12: Simeon Birnbaum
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School: Rapid City Stevens (SD)
Year: Senior, Class of 2023
2021-22 Notable Finishes: Eighth at Team Nationals Heartland Regional in a 5k PR of 15:16.60; First at the South Dakota State Cross Country Championships. Clocked 3:59.40 in the mile at Brooks PR to become the fifth high school boy during outdoor to break the four-minute mile barrier.
Analysis: Birnbaum made national news at the end of outdoor track in June by becoming the fifth high schooler during the spring season to break four minutes in the mile - and it took many people by surprise. The Rapid City Stevens (SD) star's 3:59.51 one-mile race at Brooks PR not only put him on the map, but shows that he has much more in the tank for improvement in cross country this fall.
As a senior in 2022, Birnbaum could look to bring a similar wow-factor to the cross country course like he did out on the track a few months ago.
Last season, Birnbaum ran his fastest 5k to date at the Team Nationals Heartland Regional, crossing the line 15:16.60 to finish eighth among other regional talents. Birnbaum doesn't necessarily enter cross country with the fastest cross country PR in the nation, but his sub-four mile and additional track success shows that he could have a breakout senior cross country season. Beyond the eye-catching mile at Brooks PR, Birnbaum ran personal bests of 8:55.22 for 3,200m and 1:51.03 in the 800m to highlight his successful junior outdoor campaign.
Birnbaum could become the most intriguing athlete to watch this season in terms of tracking his development, keeping in mind the fitness he displayed during the track season. 2022 could truly be the year we see Birnbaum surge into contention for a top nationals finish in cross country.
MileSplit50 Boys Individual National Rankings Countdown
RANK | DATE-NAME |
|---|---|
| 25 | Aug. 25 -- Noah Breker (Robbinsdale Armstrong, MN) -- Page 2 |
| 24 | Aug. 25 -- Aidan Ross (Uxbridge, MA) -- Page 3 |
| 23 | Aug. 25 -- Connor Ackley (Hilliard Davidson, OH) -- Page 4 |
| 22 | Aug. 25 -- Wesley Shipsey (Central Catholic, OR) -- Page 5 |
| 21 | Aug. 25 -- Jacob Nenow (Jesuit, OR) -- Page 6 |
| 20 | Aug. 26 -- Hunter Jones (Benzie Central, MI) - Page 7 |
| 19 | Aug. 27 -- Andrew Hauser (Rock Bridge, MO) -- Page 8 |
| 18 | Aug. 28 -- William Schneider (Bishop Blanchet, WA) -- Page 9 |
| 17 | Aug. 29 -- Rendon Kuykendall (Hope Christian, NM) -- Page 10 |
| 16 | Aug. 30 -- Zack Munson (Sehome, WA) -- Page 11 |
| 15 | Aug. 31 -- Keegan Smith (Knoxville Catholic, TN) -- Page 12 |
| 14 | Sept. 1 -- Jimmy Wischusen (Union Catholic, NJ) -- Page 13 |
| 13 | Sept. 2 -- Devan Kipyego (St. Raphael Academy, RI) -- Page 14 |
| 12 | Sept. 3 -- Simeon Birnbaum (Rapid City Stevens, SD) -- Page 15 |
| 11 | Sept. 4 -- Kevin Sanchez (Austin Vandegrift), TX -- Page 16 |
| 10 | Sept. 5 -- Tayson Echohawk (Orem, UT) -- Page 17 |
| 9 | Sept. 6 -- Christopher Caudillo (Clovis, CA) -- Page 18 |
| 8 | Sept. 7 -- Rocky Hansen (Christ School, NC) -- Page 19 |
| 7 | Sept. 8 -- Connor Burns (Southern Boone County, MO) -- Page 20 |
| 6 | Sept. 9 -- Aidan Cox (Coe Brown Academy, NH) -- Page 21 |
| 5 | Sept. 9 -- Kole Mathison (Carmel, IN) -- Page 22 |
| 4 | Sept. 9 -- Tyrone Gorze (Crater, OR) -- Page 23 |
| 3 | Sept. 9 -- Aaron Sahlman (Newbury Park, CA) -- Page 24 |
| 2 | Sept. 9 -- Leo Young (Newbury Park, CA) -- Page 25 |
| 1 | Sept. 9 -- Lex Young (Newbury Park, CA) -- Page 26 |