NBON Friday Preview: 12.5 blistering laps and Relay fury, Swedish style highlight day 1!

Girls 5000 Meter Run Championship

The girls 5000m race should be incredibly exciting, even for those used to 1-2 laps of the track, so TUNE IN!  Indoor Erin Finn, the national record holder in the event, started ripping off fast laps just after a mile into the race and seemed well on her way to a national title and a time that would break her own record.  That was not to be as Wesley Frazier, who had been biding her time, slowly moved up and closed on Finn with every turn of the oval.  Despite her efforts, it seemed as though the race was over with 1 lap (200m) to go, and Finn was declared champion in the eyes of many.  But shockingly Frazier turned on the jets and roared to the finish line, eclipsing Finn by the narrowest of margins (16:18.01 t0 16:18.02) as both broke the old record.  

With both athletes in the field this year no quarter should be drawn and the race should go down to the wire if everyone is feeling good.  But that's not all folks, there is plenty of talent beyond the first two.  Bethanie Brown ran a ME record of 10:13.0 all by herself over a month ago and is still fit entering this weekend.  Claire Howlett should also be in the mix as she has run quick for 3200m this season.  A whole host of other athletes should be able to put themselves in the mix based on sub-10:25 3200m times including Danielle Anderson, Tessa Barrett, Mackenzie Barry, Megan Curham, Maria Hauger and Courtney Smith.             

 

Boys 5000 Meter Run Championship

This race could likely come down to a kick with many strong competitors under 9 flat for 3200m, but the strongest competitors have to be Jack Keelan and Jacob Leingang, both of whom ran well under 9 flat at the Arcadia Invite for 3200m.  Keelan and Leingang also have strong kicks but likely won't let a 5000m race go that late.  If they do, Leingang has recently run 4:07.16 and Keelan has recently run 4:07.50 for the full mile, making both of them fully capable of finishing fast off of any pace that is set.  If that is what happens, look for some fireworks worth watching as the last 200m could be more thrilling than the 100m dash!  

Kyle Levermore and Sam Wharton have also both dipped well under 9 flat late in the season, showing strong hopes for a top finish.  Wharton clearly has endurance in abundance as he won NXN on a muddy course last fall.  Other competitors who could be in it at the end include Tanner Anderson, Mickey Burke, Jimmy Daniels and Stephen Shine.  

 

Boys Octathlon Championship

The boys octathlon is always an exciting competition as the athletes don't often have experience competing in the multi events.  Below is the list of starting competitors for tomorrows opening events.

  1   2281 Ashley, Hayden                16 Tulsa, OK                   

  2   3224 Bale, Philip                  13 Hockessin, DE               

  3   2469 Bonfilio, Adam                13 Burlington, MA              

  4   1127 Cummings, Michael             13 Hackensack, NJ              

  5   2928 Fern, Austin                  13 Summit, NJ                  

  6   2454 Greene, Benjamin              14 Glen Allen, VA              

  7   2370 Gross, Daniel                 14 Port Jefferson,             

  8   2889 Hollis, Matthew               14 Old Field, NY               

  9   3509 Ronac Giannone, Miro          14 Valhalla, NY                

 10   2607 Shattuck, Dion                14 Santa Cruz, CA              

 11   3597 Williams, Harrison            14 Memphis, TN       

 

Girls 1000 Sprint Medley Swedish Relay Championship

Such a tricky relay to predict, but really only one squad in the pool has a chance of it if they are on their game.  Wakefield girls have a 4x400m best of 3:43.71 and a 46.86 clocking for 4x100m, therefore the strength at the end of this relay really play into their favor as the events go from 100m to 200m and then 300m with a 400m anchor.  Despite who goes the fastest, it should still provide excitement as it is not an oft run relay.  

 

Boys 1000 Sprint Medley Swedish Relay Championship

The boys relay should be as exciting as the first, as it is a relay not often run and hard to predict.  However, fans should be privy to an exciting battle up front as Union Catholic from New Jersey and Western Branch from Virginia both have excellent speed.  Union Catholic boasts a 3:14.00 best in the 4x400 and Western Branch boasts a 3:14.43 for the 4x400m.

                              

Girls Heptathlon Championship

In the girls Heptathlon Brittany McGee and Summer Walter have the most experience competing in multi, however, with a wide open field anyone could step up and have a great day and surprise for the win or a top finish.  Below is the list of starting competitors for tomorrows opening events.  

  1   3785 Astarita, Emily               13 Setauket, NY                

  2   1378 Cassidy, Katie                13 Glenside, PA                

  3   3756 Collins, Amy                  13 Holden, MA                  

  4    632 Curbeam, Jada                 13 nashville, TN               

  5   2838 Fields, Jordan                16 jacksonville, FL            

  6   3389 Ghaffar, Aminah               13 Lumberton, NC               

  7   3606 Guo, Stephanie                13 Houston, TX                 

  8   2550 Jancewicz, Noel               13 Hamilton Square,            

  9   3520 LaFollette, Shay              14 Bradford, OH                

 10   1741 Martin, Jennifer              15 Lansdale, PA                

 11     43 McGee, Brittany               15 Brandon, FL                 

 12   3241 Morrison, Gillian             16 Parkland, FL                

 13   3646 Scott, Jonniece               15 North Chesterfie            

 14   1742 Serratore, Nicolette          15 Lansdale, PA                

 15    657 Smith, De'Nisha               13 Richmond, VA                

 16   1068 Thomas, Chanel                14 Gloversville, NY            

 17    198 Walter, Summer                13 Virginia Beach,             

 18   3960 Wright, Chelsea               13 Chesapeake, VA 

 

Girls 1 Mile Race Walk Championship

In a very technical event, where one foot must remain in contact with the track at all times, every step counts and the competitors must remain focused on their every move even while exhausted.  Annica Penn leads the girls field by a wide margin with a fast 1600m clocking of 7:29.19 from earlier this year.  Laura Turner and Kristi Licursi are also sub-8 with Kayla Gray just over 8 minutes for 1600m.  

 

Boys 1 Mile Race Walk Championship

Tyler Bard leads the boys field with a 7:07.61 clocking over 1600m.  Spencer Dunn is close behind with a 1600m best of 7:12.94 this season and Ian Marshall is also looking for a top finish with a 7:51.30 to his name.