Athletes to Watch at NBNI: Jessica Drop

Who are the best CT athletes that will be competing at the New Balance Nationals Indoor (NBNI) Championships this weekend. Leading up to the nationals at the New Balance Armory in NYC, MileSplit CT will feature what we consider the top athletes from the Nutmeg State in their respective events.


Jessica Drop, Coginchaug

Championship Mile, 2:29 p.m.

The clear-cut favorite in the mile is Millrose champion Kate Murphy of Lake Braddock (VA), who leads the nation with her 4:41 best. Two other runners - Idaho's Stephanie Jenks of Linn-Mar (4:47.48) and Massachusetts' Ariel Keklak of Lincoln-Sudbury (4:49.63) - have also broken 4:50. Drop goes into this weekend's race at the New Balance Armory with the fourth fastest time for the eight-lapper with her second-place finish to Murphy at Millrose where she was timed in 4:50.02. She was the Emerging Elite champion for the mile at the outdoor nationals. We're not predicting a victory here in the Championship race, especially with the likes of Murphy and Jenks, the New Balance Grand Prix Junior Mile winner, in the field. But if the Coginchaug standout can run similar to what she did at Millrose, which was also at the Armory,she does have a chance for an All-American top-six finish.