Redshirt senior Aidan McCarthy made history in Boston, running the fastest 800-meter by an American in collegiate history.
It also marks the first time in 52 years, Cal Poly has a qualifier for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on the men’s side.
McCarthy’s official time of 1:45.19 is an NCAA lead this season, and the third best all-time. He sits behind Paul Ereng and Michael Saruni, both from Kenya.
McCarthy’s record-breaking race, which took place at the Last Chance National Qualifier hosted by Boston University on Sunday, March 2, shatters his previous best by over a full second. It’s also a Boston University facility record.
McCarthy will be the only Mustang competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 14-15 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. The indoor season is over for the rest of the team.
He’ll also be the first male athlete to represent Cal Poly at the NCAA Indoor Championships since 1973. The last athlete to qualify for the championships on the men’s side was Reynaldo Brown for men’s high jump.
Overall, he’ll be the first Mustang, male or female, to qualify for the Indoor Championships in 17 years. The last athlete on the women’s side was Sharon Day-Monroe in 2008 for the high jump.
After his historic feat, McCarthy will have just under two weeks to rest and prepare for the championships in Virginia.