Northwest Missouri State University celebrated a historic feat on Jan. 17, 2026, at the Coach Richard Alsup Open held at Hughes Fieldhouse in Maryville, Mo. A trio of Bearcat runners—Maxime Touron, Aziz Mohammed, and Grant Bradley—achieved the remarkable milestone of completing the mile in under four minutes.

Touron and Bradley participated as unattached runners, with Touron securing first place with a time of 3:59.395. Aziz Mohammed, competing as a Bearcat, finished second with a time of 3:59.757, which stands as the 17th fastest mark in NCAA Division II indoor history. Grant Bradley rounded out the top three with a time of 3:59.955, earning third-place honors.

The achievement highlights a significant moment for the Northwest Missouri State track program, as breaking the four-minute barrier in the mile is a renowned benchmark in the sport. This accomplishment underscores the dedication and talent of the athletes and the coaching staff.

Reflecting on this milestone, Bearcat cross country and assistant track & field coach Wick Cunningham remarked, "It was truly a remarkable performance to have three competitors in a collegiate meet break the four-minute mile."

"Three sub four-minute milers is crazy and even more amazing in the same race on the same team," Bearcat head coach Brandon Masters said.

This achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the athletes and sets a new standard for excellence within the program.