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Manhattan NY - This past weekend kicked off the start of an exciting time in the life of a track fan. It began the professional season of several athletes vying for London, solidified high school standouts as legends, and produced times never before seen. In the coming weeks, we'll have the US Open (1/28), The New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (2/4), and concluding with the Millrose Games in NYC (2/11). Check back in tomorrow, as we look at the stellar high school fields in the US Open Invitational High School Mile, and the signature High School Millrose Mile. In the meantime, check out some highlights from this weekend at the New Balance Games.
Laura Leff Shoots Away From Competition
"I knew my competition coming into the race," Leff told MileSplit. "We all met each other out at Foot Locker, so we all know eachother pretty well." That knowledge proved well, as Leff took off on the pack in the final two laps of the race. Trailing in third with 500 meters to go, Leff took off on a pace that rivaled her experience out in California during Foot Locker Nationals. Leff crossed the line in first, finishing in 4:48.96 . It would prove to be the 2nd fastest qualifying time, just .02 seconds faster than fellow sophomore qualifier Mary Cain.
Zavon Watkins Shows His Maturity
This wasn't the same Zavon we saw last year. "I felt much better this year," Watkins said. "I was sitting behind (Mike Marsella) the whole race, just waiting to kick. When he gave me my space, I just opened up and went away with it." These tactics proved fruitful for Watkins, as he would finish first in 4:14.52. This would make him the fastest qualifier in the race to set off at Millrose, followed by Mike Marsella of Chariho (RI), who finished behind Watkins in 4:14.52. Third fastest qualifier would have been Chaminade's Thomas Awad, but Awad has chosen to pass on the invitation, and to focus on other upcoming big races.
Cheserek Runs Away with the Race
Inclement weather may have slowed down Edward Chesereks only other high school competitor in the Men's Elite Mens Mile, that of Morocco's Mohammed Abid, but that just left all eyes on Edward. Paced by the stars of the new documentary, The British Milers, Cheserek's opening leg of 60.7 was nothing like that of his performance at the early season Bishop Louglin games. Cheserek would finish 7th in a field of 13, with a time of 4:02.21. That amazing time is good enough for 2nd fastest ever indoors, and the Junior Class record nationally. Congrats. For those expecting to see Cheserek flirt with the 4-min mile at Millrose, he has chosen to run the 5k against Lagat instead. An amazing match-up.
Medger Evers Winning Streak Not Forever
Medger Evers has been on a roll lately. Anchor leg in the Girls 4x200m, Kadecia Baird, has been on top of the US list in both the 300m and 400m for the past month. Their 4x200, who has run 1:41.07, which is currently US #2, has been undefeated all season. Both those streaks have fallen this week. Kyle Plante of Colonie, competing at the Yale Classic, ran 55.16 in the 400m, the new national leading time. Also, their 4x200 saw their first place finish after Mt. Vernon caught them by a foot at the finish line at New Balance. Don't expect these new challengers to go unanswered, as Medger Evers still looks like the team to beat in the upcoming meets.
A Rematch is Settled
Najee Glass vs. Strymar Livingston. Last year, the win went to Livingston on a technicality. Glass had stepped out of his lane, and his then National record was thrown out. This year, everyone knew it would take a National record to win the race. And exactly that occurred, as Strymar Livingston of Christopher Columbus out-edged Najee Glass of St. Peter's Prep (NJ) to win the Invitational 500m. Both athletes broke the National Record, but it was Livingston's 1:01.7 that now stands as the national record. "My coach said I could run this fast, but I didn't really believe him," Livingston said. "When I looked up at the time, not even I could believe I went that fast. I'm very happy."
