605 Sports Staff

EUGENE, Oregon — Rapid City Stevens graduate Simeon Birnbaum finished second in the 800-meter run at the USATF Outdoor Championships and USATF U20 Championships.

Birnbaum, who is set to run for the University of Oregon this fall, crossed the line in a personal best time of 1:47.96. The winner of the race, Tinoda Matsatsa, finished just ahead of Birnbaum (1:47.76).

Birbaum ran comfortably in the back of the field while Matsasa opened with a 53.5 first 400 meters. Birnbaum moved to fifth place entering the final 100 meters then passed three runners in the final stretch for his second place effort. 

The 1:47.96 takes almost two seconds off of Birnbaum’s 800-meter run personal best.