* Sloan Wasserman went back to back at the Loucks Games running a US#1 2K Steeple in 6:41.07
Photo Credit: Laurel Wassner/MileSplit
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Class of 2026
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Bontrager was the first sub-4 minute miler this year when the senior ran 3:59.48 winning the Mile at New Balance Indoor Nationals. He had run 4:02.48 and 8:41.28 this season outdoors, and with all he's accomplished it seemed tough to run something much more impressive prior to the postseason. But last Saturday at the Northeast Indiana Middle Distance Showcase Bontrager showed off how talented he is.
He was set to battle against a strong field including two time 800m National Champion in Caleb Winders (Bloomington North) who holds a 1:46.85 personal best. He'd also have Baylor Miller (Northridge), Jace Trevino (Homestead) and Caden Cassada (Mt. Vernon HS (Fortville)) who each had personal best in the 1:51 or 1:52s ahead of Bontrager's 1:53.58 PR that was certain to go down against this field.
As expected, Winders would take out the pace going through in 400m in 51.72 with Bontrager a second behind in 52.98. Bontrager bided his time over the final 400m as Winders held a slight lead on him. With 100m to go Winders looked strong, but so did Bontrager who moved to his outside over the final stretch. The two were side by side approaching the finish line and Bontrager was able to take the win by just .01 seconds as both leaned across the finish line. The Indiana duo ran the two fastest times in the country in 1:47.86 and 1:47.87. Baylor Miller would take 3rd in a new US#5 mark of 1:49.49 as well.
Watch Sloan Wasserman run a National lead in the 2000m Steeplechase at the Loucks Games
Class of 2026
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The Boston College commit Sloan Wasserman won her second straight Loucks Games 2000m Steeplechase title in 6:41.07 setting a new personal best and US#1 mark on the year. The national lead was held by Caitlin Kasten (Marvin Ridge, NC) of 6:43.99.
Wasserman held a personal best from last years Loucks Games win of 6:46.00 and was debuting in the 2K steeple for the first time in 2026. Early on she let Anna Furman (Tri-Valley) set the pace, but would move into the lead on the second lap. Once she got out front she gapped Furman and only extended her lead from there. She'd go on to win by 10 seconds with Furman taking 2nd in 6:51.99.
Wasserman was 13th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in the Steeple as she doubled back from the 5000m the night before. 6:41.07 would have placed her 3rd in last years event only behind Lillie Bogdan (Frontier, NY) and Brooke Chapman (Olen. Orange, OH) who ran 6:32.78 and 6:36.96. She'll be in the mix for the NYSPHSAA State Title in New York first before eyeing some hardware on the national stage the following week.
Note:
This is a series that will run every week on MileSplit. We will be naming our COROS Distance Athlete Of The Week each week as we finish out the indoor and season and move into outdoor.
Related Links:
The COROS Distance Athlete Of The Week
