MileSplit NY - Have you had time to catch your breath yet? We still are catching up on all the records broken last night, from Section, to High School, to American. And if one thing was clear, New York was ready to represent, retaking two National leading times, and lowering two more, in addition to a new nation leading high jump from Section 5 earlier in the day. Oh, and Mary Cain ran fast as well, breaking four total records in the width of under 5-minutes. First, she lowered her career best in the full mile to 4:28.25, which breaks the American High School record, as well as the US Junior record. Likewise, Cain took out the 1500m record en route, after she split 4:11.72, which also takes down both the 1500m Indoor High School and US Junior records as well. Shockingly, the split was very close to the Outdoor record Cain had set at 4:11.01 last year, before entering the tutelage of Alberto Salazar. Crazy to think what the junior may be capable of this spring, as she looks to have only one more Indoor meet left on the docket, out in Albuquerque.
Cain was not the only High School Miler running to fame last night. The PSAL returned the title of Millrose Mile champ back to the city after a 27-year hiatus, as Sabrina Southerland (Benjamin Cardozo) used her national leading kick to win in a quick, second half 4:51.91. After a slow start led by PA junior Kennedy Weisner, there was a solid pack of 7 runners with three laps to go, all with credentials that made them medal threats. Laura Leff (West Genesee) and Bella Burda (Arlington) were within striking distance, and Kristianne Width (UNis) was in 2nd place, using her tall frame and long stride to clear the pack. But it would be Southerland who would have the legs to carry her to victory, opening up a lead that others couldn't respond to, winning.
While the girls may have played into the hands of the tactical, the boys mile went off blazing, as the opening 150m were an all-out sprint as the favorites jockeyed for position. Chris Marco of NJ led the race for the early laps, but senior Eric Holt (Carmel) pushed his way forward, and led with two laps to go. However, in the pack behind was Ben Malone (Pascack Valley) who possesses 1:48 800m speed. Malone had been biding his time, and with the lap count decreasing, he shot out to the lead. In the last bend, a flash of blue emerged behind him, as reigning state champ in the 3200m, Kris Moran (North Babylon) was sprinting past the crowd as well. Malone and Moran would finish 1-2, and Moran would set a new NY State leading of 4:13.86, a welcomed PR behind Malone's 4:12.63. Jay Navin of Saratoga would take third, lowering his SB to 4:15.8. When Malone stepped off the line of his Millrose win, last year's Millrose Champ Zavon Watkins (Liverpool) was there to shake his hand (pics below).
While it may not be NY related, Edward Cheserek (St. Benedict's Prep) had an accomplishment all his own worth recognition. Mere hours after choosing the University of Oregon as his College Choice, the senior from New Jersey took down the longest standing high school boys record: Gerry Lindgren's 2-mile record. Cheserek crossed the line just a three quarters a second under the previous record, clocking 8:39.15, giving credence to how powerful the original record was, set back in 1964.
Other Videos to Check Out
 Elmont (NY)  Medgar Evers NY girls |
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Tim St. Lawrence on HS PV 
Kellenberg NY 7:48.37
Coach Ray from Benjamin Cardozo On Southerland's RunNew State Leaders
Chaminade and Kellenberg battled in the last laps of the fabled CHSAA Boys 4x800. Kellenberg would win, just .01 seconds over the National Leader
Mary Cain leading a pack of top Collegiates and Professionals
Cheserek, en route to his American HS Record. He ran much of the race on his own, almost as a time trial.
Holy Names and Warwick battled in the girls 4x800m. In an event that looked week in the early season, times have been flying of late.
Elmont reclaims US #1 in the 4x400m, clocking 3:18.34.
Maria Gorecki of Somers was the lone high school participant in the Women's One Mile Racewalk.
Kadecia Baird anchors her 4x400m from Medger Evers to a new US #1 3:47.29
Northport would push the pace in the Eastern's 4x800
Emma Gallagher of Garden City would run the professional 600m, but would run alone to a 1:32.10
Finish Line Snapshots
Leah Triller pulls away in the 4x800, setting a State Leading 9:09.01
St. Anthony's steals the race at the line, winning the CHSAA Boys 4x200m
Southerland's clear lead on the field at the conclusion of the mile.
Cheserek, after looking up to the scoreboard to notice his accomplishment.
Medger Evers lowers their US #1 4x200m to a striking 1:38.44
Winners Circle
Ben Malone meets with 2012 Millrose Mile winner Zavon Watkins.
The Suffern girls set a new Section 1 record, and a new Millrose Meet Record, clocking NY #2 3:50.41
Holy Names is all smiles after their relay win.
Elmont has a very good balance of speed among its' four relay members.
St. Anthony's may have been the most elated relay to come off the track last night.
CBA, after their 4x800m victory.
Snapshots of the Pro's
Only invited to the event three days prior, Erik Sowinksi steal the race from the headliners, in a new American Record.
Bernard Lagat, Evan Jager, and Cam Levins en route to Lagat's New American Record.
Lopez Lomong outkicks Matt Centrowitz to the line of the Mile. Lomong is a native of Tully, NY
All smiles for Sowinski