As the commentators introduce the Girls 1500m Federation Final, "They are not messing around, my friend!"
And they weren't! Saratoga Springs freshman Kelsey Chmiel took the pace out in approximately 67.3 for the opening quarter and 2:21.1 for the 800m with the full field not far behind.
At the bell lap, eighth-grader Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland took the lead with U.S. No. 1 800m runner Sammy Watson and New York state 800m champion Sage Hurta right with her.
When Watson, the IAAF World Youth champion for 800m, made her signature move at 250m to go, Tuohy did not back down! Watch the race video above to see the young phenom match strides with Watson, who was unable to shake her until the final straightaway.
Watson crossed the line first to defend her state title in U.S. No. 5 4:22.09. Tuohy took second in U.S. No. 7 4:24.36, a new national record for eighth-graders. Hurta held on for third in U.S. No. 8 4:25.29 as Sam Peterman (US #13 4:28.19) and Katherine Lee (US #15 4:28.96) both broke 4:30. Early leader Chmiel would finish sixth in 4:30.02.
Kyle Brazeil of NY MileSplit talked to two-time champion Watson after the race: