SCOUTING REPORT| South Dakota's NCAA champ, Aberdeen's white robin, eating cats, Rushmore's Washington

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South Dakota’s Simeon Birnbaum continues his blaze to glory, winning the NCAA national title in the outdoor 1,500-meter race. The performance put the University of Oregon sophomore into the “annals” of the school’s vaunted distance running heritage, according to a release from the school’s track team.

The national title came two months after the Rapid City Stevens graduate set a collegiate record in the 1,500. And it came after a “furious finishing kick.” He finished in 3:36.05, five seconds slower than his record-setting time set in April.

Despite being the record holder, Birnbaum admitted to being nervous ahead of the nationals, which were held in Eugene, Ore. He said he barely slept the night before the race, fearing he might put in a disappointing performance.