Get Ready To Rewrite The National Record Book After The Armory Track Invite

State of the Action: The seeded section of this race (Heat 2) features the two top underclassmen of last year. Zola Golden (now unattached), was the fastest over 400m, while Syndey McLaughlin (Union Catholic, NJ) dominated anything with hurdles in between. The pair will return to the Armory Oval to give the world a preview of New Balance Nationals in March. Arianne Strunkey (Taft) is fresh off a US #2, run amongst pro's, and Anna Jefferson (Oak Park, MI) will be looking to breaking up the Northeast battle. It will take quite an improvement overall to tackle that national record, but we imagine the national leader will stay here throughout the season.

The unseeded section features several athletes who could surprise the field. We don't expect anyone in the field over 41secs, and many could break through the to medal stand.

State of the Action: There are many who believe the National Record would have gone down at the New Balance Games, if not for a mid-race collision. One half of that crash, Amanda Crawford (Paul Robeson), will return one week later with some extra fuel for that fire. She has to be considered the race favorite, although Sarah Walker (Germantown Friends, PA) could rival for that distinction. After winning the Yale Classic in 2:10 over 800m, Walker will be dropping down in distance for what could be one stellar race. Kaley Ciluffo (Pleasant Valley, IA) has to be considered a threat as well, coming down from 800m, while Johnyce Powell (Oak Park, MI) is moving up in distance from the 400m, like Crawford herself. The National Record is absolutely in jeopardy here.

State of the Action: Gabrielle Wilkinson (Friends' Central, PA) enters the race with the fastest personal best. but will need to shake off the rust from some of her early season efforts. Catherine Pagano (Northern Highlands, NJ) enters as the pre-race favorite, after going on a tear in the early season, before shutting down for some quality speed work. Her personal best is from this season, and is looking like she would exceed that on Friday. Sam Coletti (Whitman Hanson, MA) is currently US #4 in the event, and looks to be the biggest challenger in the field. However, Ursula Farrow (Oak Park, MI) finds herself at US #2 in the 800m, and is well suited for the extra lap. There are some unknown's as well. Canadian Erinn Stenman-Fahey came down for the same race last year, where she ran her personal best in 2:52. Could she be in similar shape? Then there is Eritrean Weini Kelati (Heritage, VA), whom has never attempted the distance, or any individual indoor race at that. And what of the three New Yorkers, who all have season's bests from the early season. Could one of the trip break through, and bring the leader back home? We shall see. The National Record looks safe from here, but sub-2:50 is not far out of the question.

Girls Weight Throw

State of the Action: Several key players will be in attendance for the Weight Throw. It's the first time that the event will be competed at States, so many will try to take advantage to grab a good seed time. Alva Hicks (Barrington, RI) enters as the top seed from that powerhouse program, and will lead the charge. However, we feel the National Record shouldn't fear just yet.

Tracking Shot

Top Athletes - Overall