By Rich Gonzalez, DyeStat/DyeStatCal
       (WALNUT) -- A.J. Acosta isn't (so far) a prep 4-minute miler. However, he might indeed be a collegiate 8:30's steeplechaser.
       In his much-anticipated bid to become America's fifth prep Sub Four miler on Saturday night, the brash Southern Californian came up a few ticks short of meeting the feat, but nonetheless proved his uncanny mettle for strength with a superb clocking under less-than-ideal circumstances.
       Acosta brushed aside problematic pacing in the middle laps to briefly forge into the lead, then battled Jacques Sallberg for as long as he was able before being overmatched in a battle of stamina.
       Sallberg, national class steeplechaser on the open circuit, won the mile in 4:01.50, with a weary Acosta bounding across the beam for second in 4:03.96, a lifetime best and a new nation-leading high school mark for 2006. No others in the 10-person field bettered 4:10.
       Acosta's gutsy effort also moved him to third place on the all-time California mile list (behind Tim Danielson and Richard Kimball) and 19th place on the all-time U.S. prep list.
       Former California prep sprint phenom Obea Moore led the opening lap in 59.1 to bring the field across. But by then, Acosta was already in bad position, clearly gapped by 10 meters and in fifth place less than 100 meters into the race. From there, reigning California state 800m champion Cory Primm took over and the pace continued steady, but almost a second off pace another second and a half behind. Bolota Asmeron, a veteran post-collegian being counted on heavily as one of the race rabbits, was never a factor and dropped out at 700 meters. Josephat Keino, a collegiate All-American, was another clear disappointment in relation to his rabbiting duties.
       "Overall, I was happy," said Acosta hours afterward, once having time to reflect. "With about 650 meters to go, I gave a hard effort to take the lead because the pace was slowing. I really felt it in my legs on the last 100, but in the end I knew I gave it my all."
       Shortly after the race, Acosta made his way to a quiet section of the grassy infeld to lay sprawling on his back, staring skyward as his body yearned for recovery and thoughts raced through his mind. After earning those moments of privacy, a few young admirers came over seeking his autograph, to which he gladly obliged. A few minutes later, Acosta was interviewed for his post-race perspective, an exercise halted on three occasions while he turned, doubled over, and gave back his pre-race meal onto the grass.
      "That's the first time ever I've thrown up after a race," he admitted. "I didn't hold back.
      "Jacques really made the race... When he passed me I needed that because everyone else was falling off and it was too early for me to do all the work."
       Sallberg, a 31-year-old whose career has been infused with a second wind in recent seasons, arrived here as the hottest entrant after a big 8:28.18 personal best to place fourth in the 3,000m steeplechase at last weekend's USATF National Championships. Sallberg gave the youngster an encouraging patt on the butt with and quick verbal directive to hang tough as about 750 meters remained, then took the lead soon thereafter and never relinquished it. Acosta was never challenged for the runner-up spot along the final lap.
       According to one second-hand report, one onlooker impressed with Acosta's strength and tenacity was former UCLA coach Bob Larsen, who is Sallberg's coach and also mentors Meb Keflezighi. Larsen reportedly opined that Acosta might make a very fine steepler in college, in the small chance he pursued that event.
       It turns out the chance isn't so small after all. When we approached Acosta's coach, Tom Kloos, about the possibility in an informal chat back in January, he stated he felt Acosta had the tools for it and would make a solid steepler.
       "It's definitely a strong possibility," the University of Oregon-bound Acosta admitted late Saturday night. "My coach did some hurdle drills with me to introuduce me (to the steeple) and I liked it. If not, there's always the 15(00) or the 5000. ... We'll see how I do in both of those, but I definitely like the thought of the steeple."
        That event requires strength and stamina, a perfect fit for a runner like Acosta, who harnesses a tremendous endurance base and is as tough as a billy goat on hills thanks to his leg strength. Also, his core strength in highly impressive for a teenage distance runner. It was at 3 in the morning in the hotel lobby after his two-mile win at NON that Acosta chatted with this reporter (writing a story at that hour) while hammering out set after set of crunches and push-ups. The steeplechase is not for anyone weak of mind or body - making it a perfect match for Acosta.
        Kloos, who has seemingly done everything right in developing his start pupil in recent years, has recently stated he would defer to Oregon's coaches after this weekend's Sub-Four bid. Acosta, who leaves Wednesday for Puerto Rico as part of a 28-person American contingent for a low-key international meet, said he plans to take the next few days off and might alter his plans of running the 800 at that meet.
        "I'm tired, maybe not ready for an all-out 800," he shared. "I might do a longer distance, like 5k if they have it."
         The meet's longest distance is the 3k steeple, but Acosta surely would need to have a lengthy recovery before being able to run fast in any steeple endeavor. Then there's the World Juniors meet in Beijing in mid-August at which he'll compete in the 1500 meters after much-needed rest.
         Recent taxing wins at the California state meet, the Nike Outdoor Nationals and the USATF Junior Nationals preceded his 4:03.96 clocking here, closing out a physically grueling 30-day stretch.
          And what an amazing stretch it has been.
          Will there be another Sub-Four bid for Acosta later this summer?
          "Right now I just need some time off," he reiterated. "Everyone else is done with their season right now and I have no one to train with. It's hard to find the motivation. Maybe I will think about it later, after a few days to recover. Maybe not. We'll just see."