Feb 23, 2014

Dan Curts runs US #1 8:23.85 for 3k, Maine all-time best

Ellsworth senior Dan Curts won the 4x800m relay & 2 mile at the Class B states on Monday, but finished is week off in record breaking fashion as he finished 2nd in the Open New England 3k held at Harvard. Curts ran a personal best and US #1 time for 3000 meters, 8:23.85. His time is the fastest ever 3k for a Maine HS boy, and converted his time is superior to the all time best for 3200m & 2 miles. In the same race Josef Holt-Andrews of Telstar ran 8:30.20, he will be teammates with Curts next fall at Iowa State

"I've been waiting for a good one and that one helps for sure", Dan said about his fast race and what it will do for his confidence heading into the New England meet.

The 8:23.85 for 3k, converts to 9:00.88 for 3200m and 9:04.01 for 2 miles. The current 3200m all-time state best is 9:05.09 held by former Ellsworth standout Louie Luchini, while the state 2 mile record is 9:09.5 held by former Lawrence star and Olympian Bruce Bickford. Curt's current indoor 2 mile personal best is 9:19.22 from 2013,

Curts will next run in the New England Championship 2 mile next Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Center. A year ago Dan finished 4th overall in the meet as he won the slower section in 9:23.38. He will have his sights on winning the fast section this year, but the competition will be stiff including NE #1 Christian Alvardo who ran 9:07.63 for 3200m last week to win the Connecticut State Open title.