Competing at the Timpanogos Relays in Orem, Utah, the American Fork boys ran 17:01.26 in the 4x1600 meter relay. Splits, provided by American Fork, were as following: Joe Simmons 4:25.3, Patrick Parker 4:13.8, Mckay Johns 4:13.9, Casey Clinger 4:08.2. That makes them the second fastest team in the United States this year behind national record holders Great Oak.
Now, let's do some math. First, the uncontroversial math--that converts to 17:07.22 for a 4x mile, which is #4 all time behind only this year's Great Oak team, the 1976 South Eugene team, and the 2014 Christian Brothers Academy team. Second, the more controversial math--altitude conversions. The NCAA altitude converter would chop roughly eighteen seconds off that time because Timpanogos is at 4700 feet. That would put the Cavemen in the mid-16:40s. Is American Fork better than Great Oak?
There's only one way to find out: there's a 4x1600 at New Balance Nationals Outdoor. AF anchor Casey Clinger said after the race that he was unsure of his team's future relay plans.
The Cavemen won the race by 54 seconds over hosts and rivals Timpanogos.
| BOYS 4X1600 METER RELAY FINALS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLACE | TEAM | RESULT | H# | |||
| 1 | American Fork | 17:01.26 | 1 | |||
| 2 | Timpanogos | 17:55.33 | 1 | |||