Perkins graduate Cory Leslie broke the Ohio State school record in the mile with his first-place time of 3:57.97 on Saturday at the PSU National, an NCAA automatic qualifier and the second-best mile performance in the nation so far this season.

Leslie ran a blistering time of 3:57.97 in the mile at the Penn State National Invitational, shattering the Ohio State school record on his way to a first-place finish for the 23rd-ranked Ohio State men’s track and field team.

In addition to breaking his own personal record and the OSU school record, Leslie also bettered the National Invitational meet record and Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track record time (previously 3:59.15).

"Performance of the day undoubtedly goes to Cory Leslie," Ohio State head coach Robert Gary said after the meet. "He was outstanding today in running an auto qualifier and breaking the Buckeye record. I am very proud of Cory — I have been disappointed in my coaching (of him), but it seems we are now on to the right recipe."
Leslie’s sub-four minute performance earned the Buckeye junior the mile title ahead of former Ohio State All-American Jeff See (second, 3:58.15), Penn State All-American Ryan Foster (third, 3:58.15), and teammate Chris Fallon, who set a PR with his fourth-place time of 4:05.71.

swalker@MorningJournal.com