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Sean O'Brien Smashes American University Mile Record
Junior Provisionally Qualifies for NCAA's

February 8, 2002

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- American University junior Sean O'Brien shattered the school
record in the mile tonight at the New York Road Runners Collegiate
Invitational. Running in the open division against nine professional runners
and only one other collegiate runner, O'Brien finished second in 4:02.00.

Breaking the school record held by teammate Sean Duffy by over seven
seconds, O'Brien qualified provisionally for the NCAA Indoor Championships
to be held in March. His time was only 1.3 seconds off of the automatic
qualifier and is the eighth fastest time in the nation prior to Saturday's
competitions.

O'Brien lowered his own indoor personal best by over 12 seconds in the race
and also bettered his fastest outdoor mile time by two seconds. The only
person to beat O'Brien in the race was Andrew Graffin of the adidas/New York
Athletic Club. He also defeated the other collegiate runner by nearly five
seconds.

O'Brien and the rest of the Eagles now prepare for their first indoor track
championships as part of the Patriot League. Competition begins on Saturday, February 16, in West Point, N.Y. and concludes Sunday afternoon.