Akeem Bloomfield, the Jamaican junior national record-holder
(44.93 PR);
Keshun Reed, the 2016 New Balance Indoor Nationals
champion (45.75 PR);
Tyrese Cooper, the U.S. freshman national record-holder (45.94
PR).
If they each finish under
46 seconds on Saturday, it could be considered the fastest quarter-mile race in
the history of U.S. prep track and field. Although there have been races that
included up to two sub-46 performances, we couldn't find a meet with three finishers below that mark.
1995's Golden West Invitational came close. It included Obea Moore (U.S. No. 4 all-time), who narrowly
edged out Jerome Young (U.S. No. 2 all-time), 45.88 to 45.89, for the win. They
helped pull Desmond Johnson to third in 46.11.
In 2009, the Great Southwest Classic recorded two sub-45s by Tavaris Tate and Clayton Parros,
who finished in 45.48 and 45.71, respectively. Andre Carter followed in 47.08.
Together,
Bloomfield, Reed and Cooper might be the perfect storm--their proven talent, motivation
and momentum have set the stage for one of the best prep 400m showdowns of all
time.
Bloomfield, the perennial
Penn Relays star who helped Kingston College win the 4x100m relay
this year, boasts the fastest PR in the field with the only sub-45 clocking,
but hasn't come close to that mark since he set it in 2015. In fact, he hasn't even broken 46
seconds this year. But don't let that undersell his speed--Bloomfield ripped a
20.66-second 200m for a personal best in May. Expect him to bring the heat
against his American competitors.
Last year's Texas
state champion, Reed, wasn't able to defend his title this year. The senior opted
to only run in relays at the regional meet to help his team, but none of them
qualified. Two weeks ago, he returned to competition at the Texas Track &
Field Meet of Champions, where he protected his undefeated season by storming
to first in 46.11. The Louisiana
State commit will look for his first sub-46 mark of the season when he gets in
the blocks on Saturday.
In April, the
precocious Cooper set the standard for high school freshmen nationwide when he
ran 45.94 for a lap--the second-fastest time among U.S. preps this year.
Later, he claimed the Florida state championship and anchored his 4x400m relay
to the fastest time in the country this year at Flo Golden South. He's also undefeated
on the season, so don't expect him to bend to seniority in this race.
If these three push
each other to their potential, it's safe to say history could be made in
Albuquerque this weekend.
