We are now through the major invitationals of the indoor season, and almost all of the big names have dipped their feet into Indoor Track.
Millrose capped off those invitationals with some of the best matchups of the year, bringing about seven new National Records, but plenty happened elsewhere to keep the competition hot. Now we dig into qualification season, as athletes return home to prep for their local championships, in the final build-up to Indoor Nationals, and eventually, Spring Track.
Stay tuned as we continue to dive into the MileSplit50 Rankings and celebrate the incredible talent in girls' indoor track and field.
Below, you can find the individual rankings.
UPDATED:
---
A Closer Look at the COROS MS50 Rankings
Melanie Doggett (GA) - M50 #5
Sometimes, it's hard to make headlines when you don't win the race. But behind the new National Leader, and our new MileSplit50 #1, there is an 8th grader, who in any other year, could very well be the most heralded athlete on the circuit. Her name was not unknown heading into the race. As a 12-year-old last year, she broke the 6th grade National Record in the 100m, running 11.67 to win adidas Outdoor Nationals. Less than a year later, she was just 0.01 seconds off the High School Record in the 60m, set by Shawnti Jackson. Her mark from Millrose, 7.17 as a 8th grader, would also rank 6th in the NCAA. Unheard of.
Dylan McElhinney (NY) - M50 #7
It's been a while since we've seen the Manhattanite strike on the Track. She is the reigning Indoor National Champion in both the 800m, and the mile, one of the first athletes to ever pull off that feat. However, she took the XC season relatively lightly, only competing at Foot Locker Regionals, and Nationals. On the track, it's been relatively calm, as well. But that didn't stop a wire-to-wire race at Millrose over the Mile, where she controlled the race from the gun, and never let the field have an inch. She's since gone on to go US #9 in the 600m, indicating her build-up for States and Nationals is right on track.
Jane Hedengren (UT) - M50 #4
Two spots have been reserved for athletes on the MileSplit 50, despite their lack of racing. Those are saved for the reigning champs from both Foot Locker and NXN. Well, over the weekend, the latter opened up her season, and it doesn't look like her fitness has gone anywhere. Hedengren opened Indoors with a 4:36.23 in the 1600m, an impressive time even without the extra 5000 feet of elevation. But when taking into account that impediment, it's one of the fastest miles ever run when adjusted to sea level. Roughly 4:30, it means Hedengren is setting herself up with a potential clash of the titans down the line, as Sadie Engelhardt rips up the track in the full mile. The worry may be the two shall not meet indoors, (Sadie has an NIL with New Balance, Jane with Nike), but it doesn't mean we won't see a duel at the top of the leaderboard.