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It's no surprise that Sadie Engelhardt made her outdoor track debut in a record-setting fashion.
On Friday evening at the Don Green Invitational in Moorpark, the Ventura's (CA) underclassman distance star ran a solo 9:51.49 effort and cruised to a win under the lights.
That also breaks the previous California state sophomore record of 9:57.52 set by Foot Locker XC champion Claudia Lane in 2017 and ranks as the third-best 3,200m performance by a 10th-grader in U.S. history.
Engelhardt now holds two of the five fastest 3,200m marks in CA history, having produced a freshman record last season of 9:50.69. She sits just two seconds back of the 9:48.59 true 3,200-meter California best from Kim Mortensen, a record that's stood for nearly 30 years. Dalia Frias of Mira Costa HS set the national two-mile record last summer at 9:50.70 which converts to a CA all-time best of 9:47.28 for 3,200.
But maybe what is surprising about Engelhardt's performance is that it comes as simply a tune-up for New Balance Nationals Indoor next weekend where she will look to win a mile title and potentially lower her US No. 2 mark of 4:40.59.
Related Links:
Who's Entered At NBNI? Here Are The Preliminary Lists
Don Green Invitational meet coverage