The 4-minute mile is a mark all distance runners aspire to. For high school athletes, it is a rare feat. Only nine runners in U.S. history have done it.

Until Thursday.

Oregon track and field signee Reed Brown from Southlake Carroll (Tex.) became the tenth high schooler in history to break the coveted time barrier as he crossed the finish line at the Festival of Miles in St. Louis at 3:59.30, the fourth fastest time by a high school athlete ever.

Brown entered Thursday’s pro event with a PR of 4:03.23 set in April. Duck Sports Authority spoke with him prior to the Festival of Miles to get his thoughts. Going into the race, he knew he had a shot at the mark.

“There are a couple guys in the St. Louis race that have gotten 3:56 before and a couple others under 4,” said Brown. “So there will be guys with me and in front of me which will help a lot.”

He turned out to be exactly right. Despite being the center of attention after the race, he actually came in third behind professional milers Morgan McDonald (3:57.52) and Rorey Hunter (3:58.59).

“I was definitely going after sub-4,” Brown told the crowd post-race. “It was one of my biggest goals this year and coming to this race was a great opportunity to grab it. That’s why I came here. Everyone ran pretty great and helped me get it.”

And talk about mental toughness. According to MileSplit, Brown posted a blistering 56.8 seconds in the final 400 meters in order to achieve the incredible mark. His body paid the predictable price.

“I couldn’t stand up or walk,” said Brown of his post-race condition. “It was a little rough, but that’s kind of how you got to feel if you want to run that fast. You’ve got to give up a little to get a little.”

Oregon track and field will now be bringing to Eugene the nation’s top two high school milers with their Class of 2017. Brown will be joined by fellow high school distance superstar Cooper Teare from Alameda (Calif.) St. Joseph. Teare ran a 4:00.16 to win the Mt. SAC Relays invitational mile in April, the 11th fastest high school mark of all-time.

Duck Sports Authority would like to extend its congratulations to Reed Brown on his remarkable feat of speed and determination.