* Roisin Willis ran the nation's fastest 800m at the Trials of Miles NYC Qualifier
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Since the calendar year turned to 2021, Roisin Willis of Stevens Point (WI) has been focused on hitting the U.S. Olympic Trials women's 800m qualifier of 2:02.50.
She's been inches away.
Since January, she has run a handful of 2:04 and a 2:03 performances, including her outdoor debut of 2:03.85 in February at the Trials of Miles in Texas.
In March, confusion reigned as a tremendous performance was nixed by an official's error. Two weeks ago, she was beaten in the 800m by a talented freshman.
On Friday, though, Willis left no doubt.
She finally had the breakthrough moment she's been striving for all year at the Trials of Miles NYC Qualifier, dropping a major personal best and winning time of 2:00.78.
That effort is fourth all-time in high school history, behind Mary Cain (1:59.51), Kim Gallagher (2:00.07) and Sammy Watson (2:00.65). It's tied for the fourth-fastest 800m performance all-time, too.
She's now officially the third high school girl to hit the USATF Olympic Trials qualifier this year.
Mount De Sales (MD) junior Juliette Whittaker, who hit the standard at the VA Showcase in January, finished second in 2:01.34.
Moses Brown sophomore Sophia Gorriaran crossed the finish line in third with a 2:02.93. Gorriaran ran a personal best of 2:02.44 at the American Track League #3 in February to hit the qualifying standard -- she's been competing separately in lacrosse for the past few weeks, too.
Willis was just off Mary Cain's national record of 1:59.51, which was set back in 2013 at the Prefontaine Classic.
Rank Athlete Time
1 Roisin Willis 2:00.78
2 Julia Rizk 2:01.24
3 Juliette Whittaker 2:01.34
4 Mariela Real 2:01.93
5 Sophia Gorriaran 2:02.93
6 Emily Richards 2:03.87
7 Brenna Detra 2:04.16
8 Michelle Howell 2:04.54
