1977-78
A pioneer of the sport, Lynn Jennings (Bromfield School, MA) took on the professional ranks first at the Millrose Games. She would do it once as a junior, placing fifth, then would improve her own national record in the event one year later, taking fourth overall, one position better than Kathy Mills (Fayetteville-Manlius -'75), who is considered one of the trailblazers for females competing in high school track. Jennings would go on to unofficially complete the Boston Marathon later that year, in an alleged 2:46, before heading to Princeton University the next fall.
1978 27 Jan 1. Jan Merrill 4:19.7 2. Francie Larrieu 4:19.8 3. Cindy Bremser 4:22.8 4. Lynn Jennings 4:24.7 5. Kathy Mills 4:30.1 1977 28 Jan 1. Francie Larrieu 4:15.8 2. Cyndy Poor 4:20.4 3. Jan Merrill 4:24.1 4. Doreen Ennis 4:28.0 5. Joan Benoit 4:28.0 6. Lynn Jennings 4:29.0