MileSplit NY - The three day track extraganza we call New Balance Outdoor Nationals may have shifted backwards a day, but competition will be no less fierce.. We'll be there with the best coverage around, including live webcasts, constantly flowing tweets, interviews, and pictures. Accept no substitutes as we bring you up to speed on what may be the best races of the day. Below, you will find some of the races we find to be the most interesting, as well as the final lane assignments for the event.
Lane Assignments
Girls Highlights
400m - Kadecia Baird (Medger Evers) will be matched up against Olivia Baker (Columbia NJ) once more, after suffering a close defeat over 400m at Loucks. Should be a great matchup, with several other contenders from around the country as well.
2 Mile - Three state champs from NY will be contesting for the win here, as Eileen O'Hara (Spring, 1500m), Katie Lembo (Spring, 3000m), and Bella Burda (Winter, 3000m) look to round out a field. However, they will face some tough out of state competition, with National talent's like Dream Mile Winner Wesley Frazier (Ravenscroft, NC), former Indoor 5k National Record holder Erin Finn (West Bloomfield, MI), and US #2 All-Time for Freshmen over 3200m, Hannah Delbalsi (Staples, CT).
100m Hurdles - Only Ashley Wiggins finds herself in the competition, but if she wants a shot at a title, she'll have to better her US #47 mark by getting under 14.0.
2000m Steeplechase - This looks to be a repeat of the State Championship, with all the major contenders returning. Will Valerie Palermo (Webster Schroeder) walk away with a National Title as well, or will defending All-American Keelin Hollowood (Saratoga) lead an attack on the lead?
Racewalk - Always a very New York centric event, all of the top seeds are in attendance, minus a notable Ji-Won Kang and Katie Michta. Look for Annica Penn (Westhampton Beach) to be your top seeded athlete.
4x1 Mile - An interesting showing from the Empire State, as every member of the squads from Westhill, Monroe-Woodbury, Sweet Home, and Connetquot all have a healthy mix of underclassmen competing, which should be a good preview for next years XC
4x800m - Top seeded Suffern has made themselves a rough schedule, entered in the 4x400m, the 4x800m, the SMR, the DMR, and a leg coming off the Steeple chase. If the legs are tired, look for Warwick to make an impressive push, as well as Penn Relays' standouts Columbia, NJ.
Field Events - Lauren Hudson is out looking for redemption in the high jump, as will Briyah Brown in the shotput. State Champ Tara Belinsky will also be in the shot put to challenge for a title. McKyla Brooks and Anisa Toppin, the two state leading jumpers, are both also entered in their respective disciplines over at the pits. The Pole Vault will include Karmen Auble, who didn't make it to states, but lies as the state leader.
Boys Highlights
100m - Only Winston Lee (Hudson) has made the trip for the short sprints, and it will be interesting to see how the senior caps off his one, (and last) ever track season dash.
400m - A state final that featured two spectacular sophomores won't be repeated, but the State Champ Izaiah Brown (Amsterdam) was awarded a free trip and entry after his performance at the Eddy Games. Look for him to try and improve his impressive 47.20 mark.
Boys 2 Mile - It seems as the New York's distance runners decided to go for the longer run, as Stephen Shine (Briarcliff), Eric Holt (Carmel), Mickey Burke (Rush-Henrietta), and Ryan Udvadia (Shoreham-Wading River) are all very capable of sub-9 performances. With Bernie Montoya and Sean McGorty both in the race, in pursuit of the 8:45 marks they had seen prior in the season, expect the race to go out fast.
110m Hurdles - JJ Stallworth (Connetquot) went US #29 in winning the state title, but Jay Hebert (Ticonderoga) was right behind him. Look for the two to try and improve their standings here in North Carolina.
2000m Steeple - Two and a half laps shorter may make a huge difference in the race outcome, but look for the top three from states to be leading the pack, as Brennan Root (National Leader from Rush-Henrietta), Tyler Ranke (Hilton), and Brian Cook (Pearl River) are all entered.
4x 1 Mile - Northport is bring back it's big guns, which on paper could challenge Fayetteville-Manlius' state record. They'll be racing event regulars like Saratoga, CBA NJ, and West Chester Henderson PA, and it should make for a great race.
4x800m - A loaded field like no other, this relay race may be the highlight of the meet. Chaminade and Syosset had a crazy battle at the state meet, and Kellenberg brings back a very strong squad as well. The 7:40 barrier will be challenged by multiple squads.
DMR - Many of the 2-Mile Contestants will return for the DMR with the rest of their squad, as Rush-Henrietta and Carmel are two of the top seeds. However, Arlington will be coming in fresh, and Syosset will be saving some for the relay as well. Should be a great race to watch.
Field Events - We have the perfect field for New Yorkers, as the state leader in every field event in NY is entered into competition, many of which are just coming off a state title. Be sure to look for Mike McCann (High Jump), Justin Farrenkopf (Pole Vault), Desmond Mobley (Long Jump), Thomas Johnson (Triple Jump), Ben Bonhurst (Shot Put), Noah White (Discus), Rudy Winkler (Hammer Throw), and Michael Goldstock (Javelin).