Sub-15:00 for 5,000 meters

Last week, I sent out several emails to past athletes and coaches, in an effort to come up with a comprehensive (complete) list of all men’s track athletes in school history who have broken 15:00 for 5,000 meters – either indoors or outdoors.

Below is the list of athletes that I am aware of, since these performances have occurred in the past 16 years, when I was fortunate enough to have witnessed them first-hand. UPDATE: Thanks to former teammate and Marist alum Steve Pierie for reminding me of Pete Pazik's 14:35, which stood as the indoor SR for 22 years before Girma broke it.

Note that several of the athletes listed broke 15:00 on several occasions. Only their personal-best times are listed.

Also see the asterisk note about 2009/2010 graduate Girma Segni, who owns both the indoor and outdoor school record in the event. Several runners have noted that Girma’s outdoor record is “weak,” but to date it remains the fastest. So, in that regard, it remains “strong.”

Again, to review: At the time of his graduation (as an undergrad and graduate student), Girma held (and still holds) the school record at 5km indoors and outdoors, 10km outdoors (30:22), and the Van Cortlandt Park 8km/5 mile all-time best (25:01). Obviously, current runners are aiming to take some of those numbers down, but it’s a tribute to his consistency and longevity that he was able to achieve those marks in his wonderful time here in Poughkeepsie.

Anyway, here’s the list, with current team members in boldface.

If anyone has additions or corrections to the list, please email me at runhed246@hotmail.com.

Girma Segni, 14:18.42, 2009*
Adam Vess, 14:33.41, 2008
Peter Pazik, 14:35.84, 1986
Matt Flint, 14:37.45, 2010
Michael Melfi, 14:42.36, 1998
Justin Harris, 14:42.88, 2007
David Raucci, 14:42.92, 2006
Arquimedes DelaCruz, 14:43.79, 2011
Michael Nehr, 14:45.61, 2001
Will Griffin, 14:47.86, 2010
David Swift, 14:50.24, 1995
Kirk Dornton, 14:50.89, 2002
Nick Webster, 14:52.54, 2009
Conor Shelley, 14:52.67, 2008
Greg Salamone, 14:55.79, 2000
Tim Keegan, 14:56.45, 2009

*holds both indoor (14:18.42) and outdoor (14:32.65) school records