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

A hallmark of the Bullis School's girls indoor season thus far has been consistency. 

And true to form, the squad remained as consistent as ever on Saturday, earning its first national title of the weekend, and a new national record, in the 4x55m shuttle hurdle relays at New Balance Nationals Indoor.

Trailing Western Branch (VA) until the third leg, Bullis took over in the final stretches, finishing in a record time of 30.44 seconds. Western Branch's 'A' team was second in 31.94, while its 'B' team scored a third-place from the seventh of eight sections in 32.34 seconds. 

This marked the second straight year the SHR national record was broken and the third time in five seasons. Bullis earned the first of what could be five championships over New Balance, and efforts remain in the 4x200, 4x400, SMR, and the mixed relay. 

Western Branch took a sizable lead over the first two legs -- and was on pace to break the national record for the second straight year -- though a miscommunication on the third exchange led to a late start and allowed Bullis to take over. 

Cierra Pyles anchored the Bullis squad to their victory. The squad also included Lauryn Harris, Masai Russell and Leah Phillips.


Finals                                                                    
  1 Bull Tc-Md                                            30.44N  8       
     1) Harris, Lauryn 19               2) Russell, Masai 18              
     3) Phillips, Leah 20               4) Pyles, Cierra 18               
  2 W Branch Tc-Va                                        31.94   8       
     1) Ballard, Shadajah 21            2) Tilmon, Jazmine 18             
     3) Shockley, Adriana 19            4) Ballard, Na'Taja 21            
  3 W Branch Tc-Va  'B'                                   32.34   7       
     1) Warren, Keishayla 19            2) Tucker, Jessica 18             
     3) Hudson, Destiny 20              4) Gaston, Imani 19               
  4 Fia Lions Tc-Va                                       32.82   3       
     1) Arnold, Tamia 19                2) Conklin, Deziree 21            
     3) Dunbar, Tania 19                4) Taylor, Kylia 20               
  5 5 Star Penn Tc-Va                                     33.19   1       
     1) McMillan, Faith 18              2) Boyke-Johnson, Carolyn 21      
     3) Aklin, Nijae 19                 4) Blunt, Taylynn 18              
  6 Union Catholic Tc-Nj                                  33.63   7       
     1) Ewing, Brianna 18               2) Quainoo, Felicia 20            
     3) Williams, Angelique 19          4) Jordan, Avery 21               
  7 Newton North Tc-Ma                                    34.03   5       
     1) Boyer, Dee 18                   2) Marshall, Natalie 18           
     3) Bonilla, Andrea 20              4) Lapa, Yahni 19                 
  8 High Intensity Track-NJ                               34.16   3       
     1) Canzinero, Zoe 19               2) Kosker, Emily 18               
     3) Wilson, Carlie 18               4) Macones, Gianna 18