Your In-Depth New Balance Nationals Indoor Girls Preview

BOSTON, Mass. -- It's the moment we've all been waiting for.

New Balance Nationals Indoor in Boston is here and we've prepared stories, schedules and more ahead of the national championships.

Which athletes have opportunities to run away with the title? Which athletes and teams could set new records? 

Below are some of MileSplit's thoughts. We will have full coverage on the ground at the TRACK at New Balance this weekend, so stay tuned for the content to come over the weekend.

Four Girls, One Title

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The 60m

The girls 60m is absolutely loaded with the top girls in the nation. 

Four girls easily come to mind as heavy favorites for the title. With the level of talent that presents itself, there has a possibility that the national high school record continue to drop.

The New Balance Nationals Indoor reigning champion Avery Lewis of Friends' Central (PA) is back and has been putting the pieces together late in the indoor season.

Honestly, that's a good thing.

Every time she's stepped onto the track straightaway, she's improved her time. The junior goes into the meet with a 7.22 personal best, which she ran two weekends ago at the PTFCA Indoor State Championships; she's the third-fastest girl this indoor season. 

However, she will face the national-record holder Shawnti Jackson of South Granville (NC). The Arkansas signee left her stamp this season by lowering her previous record to a 7.16 at the Millrose Games in February against a professional field. 

For the first time this season, both Lewis and Jackson will face the dynamic duo from Montverde Academy (FL). Micayah Holland and Adaejah Hodge have consistently proved they can be title winners this weekend. These teammates ran four sub-7.30 this season in the 60m and are ranked No. 2 and No. 4 respectively. 

There are four girls and there's only one title. Arguably, this is one of the favorite matchups of the weekend. 

The Most Anticipated Girls Relay

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4x800m

The girls 4x800m is going to be an exciting one as it features one of the top distance programs in the nation.

We're on national record watch here, too.

Cuthbertson (NC) is the lead candidate. In a tune-up race for nationals, Justine Preisano, Stella Kermes, Charlotte Bell, and Alyssa Preisano collectively clocked an 8:48 on the outdoor oval. This equals a No. 5 all-time outdoor performance.

This indoor season, Cuthbertson has the No. 1 time in the nation of 8:57.98 from the VA Showcase, which equals the No. 7 all-time mark.

But's it's not just Cuthberston to watch out for. The defending champions Ann Arbor Pioneer, Chelsea, Bolles, IMG Academy, and Union Catholic, which owns the second-fastest time in the nation with a 9:04, will put up a fight. 

The time to beat would be Ann Arbor Pioneer's (MI) national record of 8:51.93, which was set at last year's New Balance Nationals Indoor. 

There's so much more talent in this field which includes Gillian Bushee, Ciara O'Shea, Bethany Michalak, Alyssa Sauro, Leah Stephens, Zariel Macchia, Karrie Baloga, and more. 

Who To Look For In the Jumps

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Field Events

Look no further than Juliette Laracuente-Huebner. She'll be a great triple threat at nationals.

The jumper is ranked U.S. No. 4 in the high and long jump, and U.S. No. 5 in the triple. This weekend, she's going for three wins in these jumps -- while she also strives to make the finals in the championship 60mH.

She's coming off a strong state performance as she won the team title in a solo effort with 40 points as she swept the jumps and the hurdles. 

Jameesia Ford, Jack Britt (NC): The South Carolina signee will start and finish her indoor season at nationals. Last spring, Ford clocked the third-fastest time in the nation in the 400m.

Sadie Engelhardt, Ventura (CA): Engelhardt is one of the favorites going into the girls mile. She's run a 4:40.59 season's best and holds the second-fastest time in the country at this distance. Last year at this meet, she finished second with a lifetime best of 4:37.40. 

Skyye Lee, Parkway Central (MO): Earlier in January, Lee hurdled to the second-fastest time in the nation with an 8.30. This year alone, she sprinted to four-sub 8.50 in this event. 

Camryn Cole, Webster Schroeder (NY): There have only been two girls this indoor season who cleared over 6-0 in the high jump. Cole is one of them. She is the second--best high jumper this indoor season with her 6-0 clearance at the NY Sectional Championships. She will also contest in the long jump championships. 

India Alix, Klein (TX): The best long and triple jumper in the nation will look to add her first set of New Balance Indoor National championship gold medals to her collection. The Florida signee leaped personal bests this season with 20-11.75 and 42-6. 

Jillian Leahy, Lincoln (RI): Over the last two months, Leahy threw over 50 feet four times in the girls weight throw. Her best throw came within her most recent performance as she won the RIIL State Indoor Championship title with a personal best of 53-3.5 to move up to US No. 3.