Torn Achilles and possible career ender, Fernandez feared, lying on the ground. On the course, Smith heard reports that Fernandez's tendon had torn and rolled into a ball. His thought: "I've ruined the best distance runner in the United States in three months."

Fortunately their fears were not realized. The injury was to the plantaris muscle and, after a short recovery, Fernandez embarked on an impressive indoor season, twice lowering the world junior indoor mile record with his 3:55.02 also establishing an NCAA mark.