After setting the national high school mile record in 1934, Louis Zamperini received a track scholarship to run at the University of Southern California. Zamperini's prowess on the track continued into his college years. In 1936, he traveled to New York City to compete in the 5,000-meter Olympic trials. After qualifying, he traveled to Berlin for the 1936 games, in which he finished in eighth place.
Upon returning back to college, Zamperini continued to have success on the track. In 1938, Zamperini set the collegiate mile record when he ran a blistering 4:08 mile. This record would stand for a full 15 years. For more than a decade, Zamperini held both the high school and collegiate records. Zamperini graduated from USC in 1940, but was unable to compete again in the Olympics due to the outbreak of World War II.
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