Prep notes: Corbin Coombs records sub 4-minute mile

Corbin Coombs twice already had broken New Mexico’s prep record in the mile run during the winter. He broke it once in New York City, once in Philadelphia, both at indoor meets.

The graduating Organ Mountain senior has lowered the standard yet again, this time in the great outdoors.

And he broke a cherished threshold in the process.

Coombs ran a time of 3 minutes, 59.23 seconds at Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday night at the RunningLanes Track Championships in the Championship division.

“Super special,” Coombs told the Journal on Tuesday. “It’s something that was, like, in the back of my mind. It was special to finally hit (a sub 4-minute mark.)”

The Alabama track was a regular 400-meter track; the two indoor tracks on the East Coast were both 200 meters long.

Coombs the previous weekend had impressively swept the three distance races at the Class 5A state meet at the University of New Mexico. A week later, he was beginning his offseason schedule with this memorable appearance in Alabama.

“When I had 200 meters to go, I knew I only needed a 31-second close to break (four minutes),” Coombs said. “At that point, I was very confident.”

There was only one mini asterisk for Coombs.

“When I finally crossed the line, it was super special, but it was also a little bittersweet, because I got passed right before I hit the line,” he said.

Michigan’s TJ Hansen won in a time of 3:59.02.

Coombs displayed a ferocious kick late in all three of his victories at the state meet, and showcased it again on Saturday.

“That closing (ability) has developed through a great season,” he said.

Coombs has signed to run with Wake Forest, but he told the Journal he won’t be competing for the Demon Deacons until the fall of 2027. He said he is going on a mission in Salem, Oregon, for two years, starting later this year.

His running schedule will be active in the upcoming weeks. He is competing June 5 in St. Louis, and then three days later he’ll be in Seattle for another meet.

Later in June, he’ll be running at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon.

SIGNINGS: Albuquerque Academy and Bernalillo have had some athletes sign to compete at the next level.

For Academy: Matt Delaney (baseball; Pima Community College in Tucson); Jackson Richards (fencing; Haveford College, Pennsylvania); Ryan Ramirez (football; Calvin University, Michigan); Grady Gilchrist (soccer; Rhodes College, Tennessee); Townes Richardson (soccer; Pomona-Pitzer, California); Melissa Purcella (softball; Rider University, New Jersey); Cindy Fan (swimming; Harvey Mudd College, California); Jack Yu (swimming; California Institute of Technology); Pierce McShane (swimming; Claremont McKenna College, California); Michelle Deng (tennis; Whitman College, Washington); Shay Villegas (tennis; Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania); Emanee Cerda (flag football; Mars Hill University, North Carolina).

Bernalillo’s outstanding quarterback and baseball player Uriel Castro has signed with Eastern New Mexico to play baseball. Gabriel Trujillo signed with Salt River Junior College in Arizona to play football.

HARPER DUNN: Corona High’s 6-foot-6 talent, Harper Dunn, one of the most highly rated basketball recruits in the Class of 2027, last weekend was in Colorado Springs, an invited attendee as USA Women’s Basketball was looking to put together its U16 squad.

Dunn made the first cut, but did not make the final cut of 12, which was announced Sunday night.

“Such an awesome experience!” she posted on X. “... Can’t wait to start work to grow as a player and try this again next year!”

THIS AND THAT: Cibola High School has hired Wesley Malcolm to take over the Cougars volleyball program; Malcolm was the Atrisco Heritage coach last season. … Rio Grande High has hired Joseph Lopez to be the Ravens’ new head girls basketball coach. … Class 5A state champion Centennial was up two spots, to No. 22, in the latest MaxPreps nationwide top 25 softball poll.