2017 New Balance Indoor Nationals Girls' Events Preview

State of the Action: What better way for Sammy Watson to close out her Indoor High School career than entering nationals at the one distance she hasn't set a National Record in.  In fact, it's the only distance Watson has been defeated at in the past three years, being nipped at the line in Boston last year after letting up too soon at the line.  But don't expect a repeat in 2017, as Watson has been on a tear ever since, setting records 600m and up.

Fittingly, she'll be facing off against Anna Kostarellis, who broke Watson's own 1500m Section 5 record with an exciting race at the New York State Meet.  Expect that mark to go down en-route, as it promises to be a fast final.  Watson's biggest competition will come from Hayley Jackson, US #1 at 4:47.21.  Watson ran just over that mark when she was beaten in Boston, and is now a superior athlete in both mind and body.  Expect that personal best to go down with ease.  The only other athlete under 4:5- is Abbe Goldstein, winner of the prestigious Millrose Mile.