DJ Principe couldn't have ended 2016 any better.
Racing against collegiate and open runners at the Boston University Mini Meet Saturday morning, the La Salle Academy senior clocked the nation's top time in the mile with a winning effort of 4 minutes, 4.47 seconds, a new state and New England record.
Principe's time broke the existing R.I. record of 4:08.33 by former La Salle teammate Jack Salisbury from the Junior Mile of the 2016 New Balance Grand Prix. He also dips under the NE mark of 4:06.92 by Concord-Carlisle (MA) grad Thomas Ratcliffe from the MIAA All State Meet last February. Principe's time ranks No. 7 all-time indoors among all U.S. high-schoolers.
Head coach Vin McGinn and assistant coach Bill Myers witnessed the race trackside. McGinn admitted Principe's 4:04 was a surprise at this point in the season, despite his star runner's success so far his senior year.
"To be honest, Billy and I went down with the intentions of a sub 4:10, maybe a little faster," he said. "To run 4:04, is beyond our expectations."
Principe was focused from the start of his record run. He covered his opening 800m at 2:03 and ran negative splits the last half of the race with a 59-second final 400m.
"He looked so natural, so effortless," McGinn said. "The race itself shows all the hard work he has put in. It's just amazing at this level. I really think he will make his mark as one of the greatest distance runners the state has ever had."
As to how fast he feels Principe can run by season's end, McGinn wouldn't commit to a time. He just believes the sky's the limit for the Stanford-bound runner.
"I think he has already left his mark," he said. "Nothing that he does would surprise me."
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Next up for the La Salle runner is the Dartmouth Relays this coming weekend (Jan. 6-7). Principe will compete in the open 1,000m and as a member of the distance medley and 4x800m relays.
Below, former Ram teammate and all-stater Matt Bouthillette interviews DJ after breaking former teammate Jack Salisbury's indoor mile record by nearly four seconds!
