MileSplit NY - It may be the calm before the storm in terms of meet coverage, but this spring looks packed with big stages for some big performances. If the Indoor season was any indication, prepare for one of the fastest springs ever. Here are ten places you'll want to keep your eyes on.
1. Pearl River Pirate Relays
A smaller meet in Section 1, this event brings together some of the bigger powers in Rockland County. It also makes its' way onto the list as the first meet we're covering this year.
2. Somers Lions' Club Invitational
Perennially garnering nearly 50 teams, this two day meet provides an opportunity for teams to try their hand at the 4xMile and the SMR events, which are then used as seeds times for New Balance Nationals. Last year, it also kicked off Mary Cain's drastic descent into sub-4:20 territory in the 1500m run.
3. The Loucks Games
Held at the state of the art facility in White Plains, the Loucks Games has always been able to pull together Elite fields for their invitational events. Last year, four of the top five 800m times in the state came from this event, marks withstanding both the state and national meet.
4. adidas Grand Prix
This meet may only have two high school events, but the quality and caliber of the fields makes it one to watch. The Grand Prix is home to both the Dream Mile, and the Dream 100m dash, which invites the top competitors in their discipline nationwide, to chase the 4-minute mile, and other golden standards.
5. Warwick Fast Times
The ongoing inside joke that the Warwick track is both short-measured, and banked on the terms may not be entirely true, but the rumor is birthed from the times that live up to the meets name. A great way to peak for your state qualifier, teams from around the tri-state attend in search of a victory.
6. Penn Relays
There really is nothing quite like it. Last years attendance hovered around 117,346 people over three days, and the excitement of the crowd is like no other. Coming home with a Penn Relays Gold Watch is arguably one of the hardest accomplishments many can acheive. We'll be there, will you?
7. New York Relays
This meet finds itself in a perfect spot on the calendar. Held at the newly refurbished Icahn Stadium, the meet serves as a great point in which fast times start to break out of the early season jitters. Stellar invite fields, and full array of throwing events always seem to bring the best out of people.
8. City Champs
It's never easy to get out of one of the states' hardest sections, and the times are not allowed to be slow. Serving as the New York City State Qualifier, the City Champs. Based off of how the indoor version of this event went, the girls team competition will be as tight as ever.
9. New York State Meet
For many teams, this is the end game. The goal all year is to make it here, and many have given up things like Prom, graduations, and more to make it here. They won't leave without a fight, and some of the nations top times can be found right here.
10. New Balance Outdoor Nationals
For a select few, North Carolina is on the mind. With Nationals being in the south, you can expect all of the sprint races to be flying, as well as the distance events. However, New York represents well in their homegrown events like the Racewalk and Steeplechase. We've bought our tickets, we hope you do the same.