3. Cooper Teare explodes with an epic performance in the Texas Distance Festival 5K, going 14:13 to net the best high school boys 5K since 2013
It wasn't the best all-time high school boys 5K ever, nor did it even stack up in the top 15, but make no mistake, the Texas Distance Festival's elite boys 5K was legit.
St. Joseph Notre Dame (Ca.) High's Cooper Teare raised the stakes in the 5K by going 14:13.26 on Saturday at Southlake Carroll. Nine runners crossed the finish in under 14:38 and three went under 14:20.
Teare ran the fastest 5K since 2013 and opened the door for comparable performances in the future.
Will it create the kind of interest that will pave the road for more athletes compete at top levels? The last memorable big-time performance in the event took place in 2011, when Ammar Moussa went 14:05.79 to break the top 15, and it's been nearly 10 years since someone has broken the 14-minute barrier.
Neuqua Valley (Il.) High's Chris Derrick was the last to do it in 2008.
Will Teare's performance open the door for someone to do it later this year?