Road to NBNI: Girls' Two Mile

Who are the best RI athletes that will be competing at the New Balance Nationals Indoor (NBNI) Championships, March 11-13? Leading up to the nationals at the New Balance Armory in New York City, MileSplit RI will feature what we consider the top athletes from the Ocean State in their respective events.



Girls' Two Mile Run

Emerging Elite, March 11, 10:35 a.m.

Championship, March 13, 1:11 p.m.

The overwhelming favorite in this race would have to be Foot Locker National winner Kelati Weini of  Virginia's Heritage, who has did 9:19 for 3K last month. There's also fellow state rival Kate Murphy of Lake Braddock (VA), who was second to North Carolina's Ryen Frazier in 2015 with an all-time best of 10:20 for two miles. Hannah DeBalsi of Staples (CT), who certainly has run her fair share of elite races throughout her career, is coming off a leisurely 10:29 win at the New England Championships last weekend. She should contend up front, too. Rhode Island's best hope for a podium finish lies in Eliza Rego. The La Salle Academy senior hasn't raced the longer distance (3K/two mile) that much this season, concentrating on the mile and 1,000-meter run this winter. But she did clock a 9:51 for the 3K distance at the Sweeney-Headley Last-Chance Qualifier in early February, a time that computes to a 10:38 for two miles. With the quality of the field, Rego could be pushed to a time in the low 10:30 range or below, an effort that could place her among the top six. She also has momentum on her side, coming off her second straight New England title in the mile. La Salle's Karina Tavares and North Kingstown's Bethany Nunnery, who both have dipped under 11 minutes this season, have potential for quality showings at NBNI, too.