For the fastest 800m girls in the nation, does considerable leg speed translate to similar success in the 5K?
At the very top of this year's 800m class, the two variables seem to be at odds with one another. The fastest female with combined results between the 800m and 5K, Caitlin Collier, recorded the 61st fastest 5K nationally. Gabrielle Wilkinson, who sits at No. 2 with a combined 800m-5K performance, is 258th in the 5K.
Montana's Annie Hill has the most balance between races, ranking 15th in the 800m (2:09.27) and 20th in the 5K (17:22.20) nationally. Oregon native Kelly Makin also factors into the discussion with a combination of 2:09.07-17:26.70 speed -- though in this discussion, she doesn't have a 1600m time (Oregon runs the 1500).
The top 5K runner with a combined performance, Claudia Lane, is just 356th best time in the 800m. Texas' London Culbreath, meanwhile, is No. 2 in the 5K with a combined performance and 76th in the 800m.
It's an interesting debate. Check out the full ...