Syracuse Runner Becomes 3rd West Virginian to Record Sub-4 Minute Mile

Drew Zundell joins elite company with historic feat at Boston meet

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Drew Zundell, a sophomore runner for the Syracuse Orange, became only the third person from West Virginia to ever record a sub-4 minute mile time. Zundell crossed the finish line in 3:59.04 at a meet in Boston, joining an exclusive club of Mountain State runners. The achievement was made even more special as former Syracuse coach Chris Fox, who helped build the program, was on hand to witness Zundell's historic feat.

Why it matters

Running a sub-4 minute mile is an incredible accomplishment, with only a handful of West Virginians ever achieving this milestone. Zundell's performance not only cements his place in state history, but also highlights the continued success of the Syracuse running program and the impact of coaches like Chris Fox in developing elite talent from the Mountain State.

The details

Zundell, a former state champion at University High School, has continued to excel at the Division I level for Syracuse. After running a 4:03 mile earlier this season, Zundell knew a sub-4 minute time was within reach. During the race in Boston, he crossed the finish line in 3:59.04, becoming only the third West Virginian to ever achieve this feat. Zundell was thrilled to join this exclusive club, especially with former coach Chris Fox in attendance to witness the historic moment.

  • Zundell ran a 4:03 mile earlier this season at Cornell.
  • Zundell recorded his sub-4 minute mile time on February 16, 2026 at a meet in Boston, Massachusetts.

The players

Drew Zundell

A sophomore runner for the Syracuse Orange and former state champion at University High School in West Virginia.

Chris Fox

Former head coach of the Syracuse track and field program, who helped build the Orange into a national powerhouse.

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What they’re saying

“I think that it's an honor to have something permanent in state history. Records get broken, and it really just becomes a matter of time before you're gone. But running sub-four makes me part of the list, and no matter who else comes or who does it next, I will always be on it. I will always be the third person to do it. The moment got so much more special when Chris Fox was there to see it, too. Coach Fox helped build Syracuse into what it is today, and helped put our state on the running scene. So for him to be there, and see it happen, it was for our state, and for me to do it for the program he built, just really felt like a full-circle moment for me.”

— Drew Zundell (yahoo.com)

What’s next

With the rest of the track season ahead, and two more seasons wearing the orange, Zundell says his time at Syracuse has already changed him for the better, both as an athlete and a person.

The takeaway

Zundell's historic sub-4 minute mile achievement not only cements his place in West Virginia running lore, but also highlights the continued success of the Syracuse track and field program in developing elite talent from the Mountain State.