Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. — George Couttie clocked 4:57.81 in the 2,000 meters to shatter the previous collegiate record by more than seven seconds, becoming the first collegiate athlete to break five minutes in the event.
Competing at the Hokie Invitational last week, Couttie was the top collegiate finisher in the 2,000 meters, setting the new all-time collegiate best. His performance came just one week after representing Great Britain at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, where he placed seventh in the mixed relay (23:11). In December, Couttie opened his collegiate indoor season with a career-best 7:36.74 in the 3,000 meters at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
He currently leads both the ACC and NCAA in the 2,000 meters this season. The time ranks ninth on the NCAA all-time list and established a new Virginia Tech program record.