One was even historic. Lukas Verzbicas, of Orland Park, Ill., became only the fifth athlete in U.S. high school history to run a sub-4 minute mile when he won the adidas Boys’ Dream Mile in 3:59.71.

“If I hadn’t broken four, my high school career wouldn’t have been complete,” said an elated but composed Verzbicas, who was congratulated at the finish line by Jim Ryun, the first high schooler to break 4 minutes when he did it in 1964.

Considered perhaps the best high school runner ever in the U.S., Verzbicas broke the national high school record for 2 miles just last week, but called this his most impressive race. Going through 800 meters in 2:01.97 with Jantzen Oshier in the lead, Verzbicas had his work cut out for him, but made his move soon after. With about 80 meters to go, he got a good look at the clock and put the hammer down.

The men’s 100 meters saw the two fastest men in the world for 2011, Gay (9.79) and Mullings (9.80) face off, and while the conditions – including a -3.4 headwind – didn’t bode well for fast times, they didn’t prevent a thrilling race. Far from it.

After the rarity of three false starts, Gay and Mullings took off with identical reaction times, but then Gay stalled while Mullings flew.

“It just took me awhile to get going,” Gay said.

With about 50 meters remaining, Gay began to gain steadily on Mullings, and the two hit the finish line in the identical time of 10.26. The electronic finish-line photo showed Mullings handing Gay his first loss at 100 meters since Brussels on Sept. 4, 2009.

“I know Tyson has a strong finish,” said Mullings. “I just have to get out of the blocks strong. I knew Tyson was going to be coming so I was just holding on for my life.”

It was not the only close race of the damp afternoon. In the women’s 200 meters, a race featuring four of the six fastest women in the world for 2010 as well as 100-meter specialists Carmelita Jeter of the U.S. and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, it was an American sweep of 200-meter mavens. Allyson Felix, who took command early, held off a late charge by Bianca Knight to win in 22.92, with Shalonda Solomon not far behind in 23.03.

In the men’s 400 hurdles, world leader LJ van Zyl of South Africa was in control in the early going, but began to fade as American Bershawn Jackson took the lead on the final hurdle before Javier Culson, of Puerto Rico, put in a massive final effort at the line to win in 48.50, just five hundredths of a second ahead, before sprawling to the track.

“I knew Culson was going to be there,” said Jackson. “He’s a phenomenal athlete.”

Jeremy Wariner returned to winning form in the men’s 400 meters, although he had to fend off a strong challenge from Grenada’s Rondell Bartholomew, the fastest man in the world this year, who led off the final turn before Wariner prevailed  in 45.13. Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica edged Bartholomew for second, 45.16 to 45.17. “It would have been something like 44-mid in better conditions,” Wariner said, pleased with his race given the conditions.

In fifth place was Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. Known as the “Blade Runner,” Pistorius is seeking to meet the Olympic “A” qualifying standard of 45.25 seconds and pronounced himself more than satisfied with a time of 45.69 considering the weather. “I’m unbelievably happy,” he said. “I’m very confident that if we have the right conditions, a good lane and competition like we had here today, the times are definitely going to come this year.”

In the men’s 5000 meters, Tariku Bekele moved at the bell, with fellow Ethiopian Dejen Gebremeskel right on his shoulder and American Record-holder Bernard Lagat giving chase. Lagat launched his famed kick with about 100 meters to go, easily passing Bekele, but may have left it a bit too late as Gebremeskel held on for the victory in 13:05.22. Lagat was second in 13:05.46, with Bekele third, 13:06.06.

Abubaker Kaki was looking strong in the men’s 800-meters, but suddenly clutched his left leg and slumped to the track coming around the third turn on the first lap with what was later diagnosed as a hamstring strain. Alfred Yego took the win in 1:46.57.

In the women’s 100-meter hurdles, Danielle Carruthers of the U.S. surprised a field that included Americans Kellie Wells, the 2011 world leader, and Lolo Jones, the reigning World Indoor Champion, along with Jamaica’s Bridgitte Foster-Hylton, the 2009 World Champion. Her winning time was 13.04.

Enjoying an outstanding season is Jamaica’s Kenia Sinclair, who was in fourth place coming off the last turn but stormed past Gelete Burka, Morgan Uceny and finally Kalkidan Gezehegne for the win at 1500 meters in 4:08.06. Just last week, Sinclair posted a big victory at 800 meters in the Prefontaine Classic.

Milcah Chemos of Kenya remained unbeaten this season in the 3000-meter steeplechase but had to fend off Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa, 9:27.29 to 9:27.37, to keep the streak alive. In the men’s 1500 meters, Olympic silver medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand was surprised by American David Torrence, 3:36.15 to 3:36.46, and in the women’s 100 meters, Marshevet Myers continued her fine season with a win in 11.36, into a -3.9m/s wind.

In the adidas Boys’ Dream 100, Marvin Bracy won in 10.47, while Octavious Freeman took the adidas Girls’ Dream 100 in 11.78. The adidas Girls’ Dream Mile saw Camille Chapus win in 4:42.71, edging Eleanor Fulton, and the nine fastest high school times run in the nation this season.

The wind took its toll in the field events, with a crosswind vexing both the men’s and women’s pole vaulters. World #1 Renaud Lavillenie was unable to record a mark, and fell to fellow Frenchman Romain Mesnil. Both Mesnil and American Brad Walker vaulted 5.52 meters/18 feet, 1.25 inches, but Mesnil took the victory on fewer misses. In the women’s vault, Lacy Janson won in 4.27 meters/14 feet, 0 inches

World Champion Phillips Idowu was pleased with his win in the triple jump at 16.67m/54 feet, 8.25 inches, with Christian Olsson runner-up in 16.29m/53 feet, 5.50 inches. Teddy Tamgho went out early, managing a jump of only 15.55m/51 feet, 0.25 inches thanks to a -4.4 headwind. Funmi Jimoh took the women’s long jump in 6.48m/21 feet, 3.25 inches over countrywomen Janay Deloach and Brittney Reese, while 2008 Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton was victorious in the women’s discus with a throw of 62.94m/206 feet, 6 inches, and Germany’s Christina Obergföll won the javelin throw in 64.43m/211 feet, 4 inches.

The biggest upset of the day, however, was in the women’s high jump, where superstar Blanka Vlašić, undefeated in nine Diamond League appearances over two seasons, lost to Emma Green Tregaro of Sweden. “I just couldn’t get in a rhythm,” said an obviously disappointed Vlašić, who jumped 1.90m/6 feet, 2.75 inches to Green Tregaro’s 1.94m/6 feet, 4.25 inches.