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VIDEO - Rapid City Stevens' Simeon Birnbaum set for senior season after representing South Dakota on national stage
Simeon Birnbaum will be looking for a second consecutive state cross country championship this fall.
(Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

VIDEO - Rapid City Stevens' Simeon Birnbaum set for senior season after representing South Dakota on national stage

Aug 20, 2022
  

By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Long before breaking South Dakota records, and breaking the four-minute barrier in the mile run, Simeon Birnbaum took down a family record in March.

Running in Rapid City on March 26, in his first outdoor race of the season, Birnbaum clocked a 9:13 in the 3,200 meters breaking his father Jim's high school record by almost 15 seconds.

“That was probably my toughest race of the year,” said Birnbaum, a Rapid City Stevens senior. “It was definitely the most effort I expended in any race last year.”

Birnbaum used that March platform to propel himself to one of the best long distance running campaigns South Dakota has ever seen. He broke state records in the 800, 1,600 meter run, 3,200 meter run, won four state titles at the South Dakota state track meet and broke the four-minute barrier in the mile (3:59.51) at the prestigious Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Washington. 


Birnbaum was named the 2021-22 Gatorade South Dakota boys track and field and cross-country athletes of the year. A relative unknown prior to the season, college coaches from all parts of the country are now familiar with Simeon's talents.

“I'm glad this happened my junior year and I'm blessed to have the opportunities I have now,” he said. 

With a new season comes new goals for this talented runner who is proud to represent his home state at the national level.

“All of my personal bests except the two-mile happened out of South Dakota,” he said. “When you get on a fast track at sea level with competition around you will run way faster. You have to train in those types of conditions to get noticed nationally and it isn't fair to kids in South Dakota so I'm proud to represent the state and the distance runners from here.”

Birnbaum, who also captured last season’s Class AA cross-country title, will start his 2022 campaign at the Douglas Early Bird on Aug. 26 at Prairie Ridge Golf Course.

Simeon Birnbaum holds state track records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs along with the 1,600 meter medley relay. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

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