The Scoop: Recapping A Massive Weekend Of Action At New Balance Nationals Indoor


With so many eyes watching Loudoun Valley (VA) High's potential attempt at breaking the national record in the boys DMR, Brentwood Track Club (TN) knew it could take advantage. 

And it did. 

Brentwood's boys were just 0.13 seconds away from tying the former national record and won a national title on Friday in 9:56.31, becoming just the fourth team to break 10 minutes all-time -- Saint Anthony's (NY), which finished second, was the fourth team to do so, finishing in 9:58.36. 

Loudoun Valley was third overall in 10:00.58. 

For Brentwood, each member of its team did a remarkable job keeping contact throughout -- the squad only took its first lead with 150 meters to go when senior Brodey Hasty, an Oregon signee, went around Sam Affolder on the backstretch and held strong toward the finish. 

Scott Thompson began the team's efforts in the 1200m, hanging tough for a 3:02.53 -- positioning the team roughly third after the first leg. He handed off to junior Dodger Vest, who joined the team just four days ago. 

But Vest had a heroic effort with the pole, going 50.87 seconds to keep within striking distance of the Vikings. Max Benson, debuting a spectacular mustache, continued on with the team's torrid stretch, keeping contact with Loudoun Valley's Connor Wells in the 800m and finished with a sterling 1:53.62, a time that on its own would qualify for his best had it been in an open race. 

All that led to the final stick.

And it gave Hasty, who had recorded three separate miles at 4:04 or faster throughout the indoor season -- including the fourth fastest time all time indoors at 4:00.05 -- as much confidence as he needed.

He received the stick on the final leg and knew he could make a run at the title. 

Trailing just a few meters from Affolder at the beginning of the leg, the future Duck waited to make his move until the final 300 meters. But he was denied by Affolder, who held strong on the inside. 

Hasty, though, continued to keep on pace and surged once more with 150 meters to go. 

Displaying unmatched closing speed, Hasty finished through the line in a split of 4:09.29, giving Brentwood its top time and a national title. 

Thompson still has an effort in the 1-mile on Sunday, while Hasty will vie for his second straight national title in the 2-mile.

Finals                                                                  
  1 Brentwood Tc-Tn                                     9:56.31   3     
     1) Thompson, Scott 18              2) Benson, Max 18               
     3) Vest, Dodger 19                 4) Hasty, Brodey 18             
     3:02.53 (3:02.53)         3:53.40 (50.87)       5:47.02 (1:53.62)  
     9:56.31 (4:09.29)                                                  
  2 St. Anthony's  Tc-Ny                                9:58.36   3     
     1) Payamps, Matthew 19             2) Barbaro-Barnett, Michael 19  
     3) Dearie, Brendan 19              4) Gatewood, Mason 18           
     3:00.68 (3:00.68)         3:51.74 (51.06)       5:50.59 (1:58.85)  
     9:58.36 (4:07.77)                                                  
  3 The Jungle Tc-Va                                   10:00.58   3     
     1) Bogucki, Colton 18              2) Simms, Akere 19              
     3) Wells, Connor 19                4) Affolder, Samuel 19          
     3:00.41 (3:00.41)         3:51.38 (50.97)       5:47.22 (1:55.84)  
    10:00.58 (4:13.36)                                                  
  4 Cow Harbor Tc-Ny                                   10:08.89   3     
     1) Claiborne, Elijah 18            2) Stehlik, Eric 18             
     3) O'Connor, Dan 18                4) Claiborne, Isaiah 18         
     3:01.69 (3:01.69)         3:54.29 (52.60)       5:50.43 (1:56.14)  
    10:08.89 (4:18.46)                                                  
  5 A2 Tc-Mi                                           10:11.25   3     
     1) Wallace, Jack 18                2) Burke, Travis 18             
     3) Paige, Netunji 18               4) Foster, Nick 19              
     3:11.99 (3:11.99)         4:04.55 (52.56)       6:04.57 (2:00.02)  
    10:11.26 (4:06.69)                                                  
  6 The Camp Tc-Ny                                     10:11.93   3     
     1) Boccia, Dom 18                  2) Politi, Michael 18           
     3) Carrera, Marc 18                4) Tierney, Ryan 18             
     3:07.45 (3:07.45)         4:00.55 (53.10)       5:58.51 (1:57.96)  
    10:11.93 (4:13.42)                                                  
  7 Corning Tc-Ny                                      10:12.35   3     
     1) Gahagan, Daniel 18              2) Spicer, Alex 18              
     3) Cleary, John 19                 4) Nicholson, Quinn 18          
     3:09.05 (3:09.05)         4:00.36 (51.31)       5:58.44 (1:58.08)  
    10:12.35 (4:13.91)                                                  
  8 Arlington Tc-Ma                                    10:15.23   1     
     1) Candell, Jeffrey 19             2) Elyounssi, Adam 18           
     3) Buckley, Roger 19               4) Oosting, Ryan 19             
     3:16.95 (3:16.95)         4:07.52 (50.57)       6:08.42 (2:00.90)  
    10:15.23 (4:06.81)