Galen Rupp created the buzz. Andrew Wheating delivered the goods.

With a crowd of 6,875 rising to its feet, the inaugural Oregon Relays came to a rousing close at Hayward Field on Saturday with Wheating, the lanky 6-foot-5 sophomore, stealing the men’s mile with a time of 3 minutes, 58.16 seconds.

Besides taking his place as the 11th-fastest miler in UO history, the native of Vermont also became the first person from that state to break four minutes in the mile.

“That was the biggest accomplishment for me,” said Wheating, who came to Oregon after running only one season of track at Kimball Union Academy in Norwich, Vt. “I wanted to be that first guy. Vermont doesn’t get much attention, so I’m glad I can do that.”

Wheating, who has set a personal best in each of his three races this season, said he was nervous when he stepped to the starting line, especially when the crowd saved its loudest ovation for the introduction of Galen Rupp, a late entry into the field.