Former Pitt runner sets world record

A former Pitt track athlete is now a world record holder.

Brycen Spratling, who finished his senior season last spring, set a new standard in the indoor 500-meter event of 1:00.06 while competing at the Millrose Games in New York City on Saturday.

As the only unsponsored athlete in his event, Spratling defeated five other runners, including four Americans and one Belgian.

He has a history of success at the distance and venue, the Fort Washington Avenue Armory, having set the discipline’s current American collegiate record of 1:00.63 there back in February 2012 as a sophomore at Big East Championships.

This recent achievement as a professional builds off a college career that was full of individual accomplishments: Spratling was a one-time first team outdoor All-American, as well as a one-time second and two-time first team indoor All-American.