Photos and quotes from Derek Veilleux of MileSplit US affiliate, MaineTrackXC.com
Connor McCullough smashes national record in weight throw!
Freshmen phenom Verzbicas makes Haile's 5K HSR short lived!
There were only two events held on Friday at the Reggie Lewis Center for the 2009 Nike Indoor Nationals and there were two national records. If the trend continues through Saturday and Sunday, there is going to be major revisions done to the national high school track record book.
Connor McCullough had shattered the national record in the weight throw one year ago in a victory at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships. The senior from California made his first trip to the East Coast this year for the weight throw competition on Friday at NIN. When he was finished, McCullough had bettered his old national record mark on two attempts with his final attempt making the new national record nearly five feet better than a year ago with a monster throw of 92'7.50". When asked if he thought he could throw as far as he did, "Not at all, I didn't expect to throw this far."
While McCullough became a national record holder as a junior, Lukas Verzbicas may be one of a kind in setting a national record holder as a freshmen. Verzbicas simply dominated a field of upperclassmen runners as the ninth grader from Lincoln-Way Central in Illinois won by a whopping 43 second margin of victory. The difference between himself and his competition was almost impressive as his final time. Foot Locker Nationals champion Solomon Haile had set a new high school indoor record in the 5K only hours earlier at NSIC, but Verzbicas made it extremly short lived as he crossed the line in a new national record time of 14:18.42. Verzbicas knew that Haile had set the record earlier in the day at 14:22, and his dad told him to shoot for 14:16 going into the race. Lukas talked about his desire to double back and win the 2 mile on Sunday. "I won't be going for the national record, I just want to win, I know it's going to be difficult." Also when asked about his plans for the outdoor season, he responded "I hope to run, but I will be focusing on the triathlon." If today was a glimpse at the future, it's certainly going to be a bright one for the youngster.
Their female counterparts did not set any national records, but US #1 performances were at least produced by Lauren Chambers of Georgia in the weight throw at 58'10.25" and Chelsea Oswald of Ohio in the 5000 meter run at 17:03.82. A freshmen national record was set by the race runner-up to Oswlald, Samantha Nadel from North Shore High School of New York in 17:15.38. Oswald executed her race plan to a T. She sat back early and let everyone else set the pace, and when it was time to go she had plenty left in the tank as she accelerated over the last mile to easily pull away from the field. Oswald said "I set a new PR. I didn't know I could run that fast."
Nike Indoor Nationals - Day 1 Results
Below are the performances entered for the meet that met the national silver standard.
128 National Elites.
Photos and quotes from Derek Veilleux of MileSplit US affiliate, MaineTrackXC.com