Indiana University Athletics
Jefferson Runs Lifetime Best at KBC Night of Athletics
7/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
July 24, 2006
HEUSDEN, Belgium - Former Indiana All-American and NCAA runner-up John Jefferson ran a lifetime best of 3:39.70 in the 1,500-meter run against a top international field at the KBC Night of Athletics (Grand Prix II) meet in Heusden, Belgium on July 22.
Jefferson, who recently signed a contract to run professionally with Nike, placed fifth in his section of 1,500, recording his personal best by nearly two full seconds. His time makes him just the seventh IU runner to break 3:40 in the 1,500 in his career. Three of the seven, Mark Deady, Bob Kennedy and Jim Spivey, have made Olympic teams in either the 1,500 or 5,000-meter races.
"It is great that John could start his first summer as a professional by running a solid performance," Robert Chapman, IU men's cross country and distance coach said. "The 2007 and 2008 seasons are going to be very important for John, and being able to make this sort of breakthrough this summer will set things up well."
Jefferson's twin brother, Sean, also ran in Belgium, finishing fourth in the morning section of the 1,500 with a time of 3:43.11.
