Springer smashes RI state record in 3000

Andrew Springer of Westerly, R.I., smashed the state record in the 3,000-meter run and also ran the country’s fastest for the distance with a spectacular winning time of 8 minutes, 23.3 seconds at the annual Bishop Hendricken Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

In earning his victory, Springer eclipsed the three-year-old mark of 8:34.2 set by Hendricken’s Tom Webb.

The Georgetown-bound Springer, who now holds eight state records in distances ranging from the 1,000 to 5,000 meters, ascends to the top of the national rankings in the 3K, replacing Crestwood (Penn.) High senior Robert Micikas. Micikas moves down to No. 2 with his 8:23.85 effort he recorded at the Penn Relay Carnival last month.

The Nike Indoor National titlist in the mile run, Springer is also currently ranked No. 3 in the 1,600 based on his first-place 4:07.35 clocking at the Hartford (Conn.) Public Invitational on May 9.

Springer is back on the oval next June 6 when he concludes his prolific high school career at the R.I. Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Brown University.