Former Cardinal Newman star J.K. Withers served as a rabbit, a track term for pace-setter, as the University of Oregon’s four-by-mile relay team set an NCAA record in the seldom-run event Saturday at the Oregon Twilight Meet in Eugene, Ore.

The Ducks finished in 16 minutes, 3.24 seconds, breaking the mark of 16:04.54 set in 2005 by Michigan.

Withers, a senior, helped set the pace for the first three laps of the 16-lap race before stepping off the track.

Withers graduated from Cardinal Newman as the Empire’s record-holder in the 1,600 meters, a mark that has since been broken.