Sub 4 in Sub 4: Sam Penzenstadler

With the help of a special guest host who gives us some insights into the days before he was a star, we've got another edition of the Sub 4 in Sub 4 series for all you track fans! Today's story features the breakout race that launched Sam Penzenstadler (Oshkosh West '11) onto the national scene. As a prep in Wisconsin, Sam finished 4th at the state cross meet in one of the closest years in recent memory (top 5 all within 5 seconds). On the track, he graduated with personal bests of 1:57 and 4:18, the latter from his 6th place finish at State. 

Penz entered the 2014 Meyo Mile at Notre Dame with modest credentials and a coach with tremendous faith in him. After a massive PR, Sam would go on to earn a pair of NCAA All-Americans that spring, including a 3rd place finish in the 1500m behind Lawi Lalang & Mac Fleet. He would go on to run professionally with The District Track Club in Washington, DC, including a victory at the 2016 Penn Relays. 

*One note that Sam sent us after his recording: Sam lists the decimals from this race as 3:58. 05, which is his overall PR from the following year. The official time on his first-ever Sub 4 was 3:58.21*