MileSplit Best of 2008
For us here at MileSplit and hopefully the rest of the prep X-C and track and field world, 2008 was a year like no other. It was an Olympic year. A historic year. Simply an amazing 365 days.
It was a year in which we not only saw the prep stars that we cover on a daily basis qualify for the Olympic Trials, but one in which they announced their presence with authority.
It was a year in which we witnessed five new national standards on the track; six more all-time No. 2 performances were also recorded.
Pictured right in photo by Margot Kelly, Elijah Greer (OR) winning the 800 meters in a stunning 1:47.68, U.S. #4 all-time
It was a year where several cross country teams and athletes competed for the moniker of best ever; not to mention a myriad of other truly mind-boggling performances.
As the year draws to a close, we will be counting down what we felt were the 10 best performances of 2008.
Today we relive the moment voted #9 by our staff and webmasters.
#9
May 31, 2008 - Woodbridge (CA) senior Christine Babcock runs the US #2 all-time 1600/Mile, winning the 1600 at the CIF Championships in 4:33.82
On a day that many consider the greatest distance day in prep history, Woodbridge (CA) senior Christine Babcock etched her name prominently in the record books.
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Shortly after German Fernandez methodically clicked off 30-second splits en route to a 4-flat 1,600, part of an unbelievable double for Fernandez that needs no further explanation, Babcock kept the crowd on its feet, ripping the fastest 1600m ever with her winning time of 4:33.82.
When converted it ranks her as the second fastest miler in prep history. Polly Plumer of University (Irvine) set the mark of 4:35.24 for one mile in 1982.
A week earlier, chasing after the National Federation record of 4:38.15 set by Alex Kosinski in 2007, Babcock clocked 4:36.57.
The question remained, would she let it rip two straight weeks?
Jetting through the opening 200 meters in 31 seconds and the quarter in 65, Babcock put everyone on alert that another assault of the all-time record was on. The impressive performance continued with Babcock running all alone through 800 meters in 2:16. The Woodbridge senior reached 1200 meters in 3:27 - and the race against history and the clock was officially on.
The win was the third 1600 meter state title for Babcock, who shattered her own state meet record of 4:38.85 in the process. The effort came on the heels of her top-10 all-time performance in the 3200 at the Arcadia Invitational a month earlier.
Babcock closed out her incredible 2008 as a key member of University of Washington's NCAA Cross Country Championship run.
Girls 1600 Meter Run
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National: * 4:38.15 5/12/2007 Alex Kosinski (Oak Ridge)
State Meet: & 4:38.85 6/2/2007 Christine Babcock (Woodbridge)
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
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1 Babcock, Christine 12 Woodbridg/ss 4:53.67 4:33.82* 10
2 Taylor, Jacque 10 Casa Grnd/nc 4:57.14 4:49.63 8
3 Collison, Claire 12 Cres. Vly/ss 4:56.50 4:52.55 6
4 Billmeyer, Alli 9 Torrey Pn/sd 4:57.37 4:52.70 4
5 Johnson, Taylor 12 S Lrnz V/Cc 4:57.31 4:53.17 2
6 Adams, Christine 10 Esperanza/ss 4:58.31 4:53.25 1
7 George, Diana 11 Livermore/nc 4:54.06 4:53.47
8 Hayes, Hillary 11 Edison(HB)ss 4:54.68 4:53.78
9 Lange, Rachel 12 Cres. Vly/ss 4:54.14 4:54.22
10 Ferrante, Marissa 10 Aptos/cc 4:54.26 4:57.03
11 Hancock, Vanessa 12 Brea Olnd/ss 4:58.26 5:01.28
12 Delaney, Katherine 9 S Margrta/ss 4:58.94 5:06.17
Read MileSplit's post-record run interview with Christine Babcock