Winning at the Armory is nothing new for the New Rochelle girls

They won four of the biggest invitationals in New York City.

Why would be any different at the same venue in the most important meet of them all?

New Rochelle, N.Y., held off a gutsy effort from the four members of Parkland, N.C., to capture the Championship 4x200-meter relay on Sunday during the final day of competition at the New Balance Nationals. The quartet of sophomore Symone Darius, senior Ashley Wiggins, sophomore Victoria Jones-Alleyne and senior Alicia Donaldson combined for a time of 1 minute, 38.49 seconds, just .18 ahead of Parkland.

Going into the final lap at The Armory it was anybody’s guess who would be the first to break the tape. Side-by-side during a tight exchange, Donaldson avoided a near collision by zipping by Parkland anchor Erin Morrison on the first turn and then holding off Morrison the final straightaway.

The finishing times by both schools, No. 1 and No. 2 in the country.  

“Going into the curve, we were supposed to do a different stick exchange, but it was too close, it was really risky,” said Donaldson, who was timed in 24.97 for her leg. “I just took off like I usually do and said, ‘You know what, I just got to use my elbows,’ because I do the 800 sometimes so I know the elbow using. I did that to kind of hold her off. I felt strong coming down the straightaway, which I usually don’t feel so it was a really good anchor for me. I am really glad that we are U.S. number one now.”

The win by New Rochelle adds to an impressive list that includes victories at the New Balance Armory Collegiate Invitational, the New Balance Games, the Hispanic Games and the high school race of the Millrose Games.

Wiggins and Donaldson are the only seniors on this year’s squad, a team that placed fifth at NBN in 2013.

“Basically it’s me and Alicia and we have two sophomores right here,” Wiggins said. “We really have been working hard at practice and everything to make sure by the time we graduate we have a national title.”

Championship Girls 4x200m (View Official Results)