Girls' Distance Preview
800 Meters
The 800 will be one of the meet's most interesting and stacked races on the day. There's no national record holder in the field, as New York's Sammy Watson has opted for the mile. Instead, this race becomes wide open with plenty of strong entries. The top PA entry is US#2 Terri Turner of Penn Wood. Turner won the state title in a fast 2:08.58 and we should see her up near the front in this race.
Cardinal O'Hara's Olivia Arizin was second to Turner at states. She sits at US#5. But the field is loaded. Virginia's Rachel McArthur beat Kate Murphy to win the VA state title in the 1K. A pair of NY runners, Kaitlin Ryan (US#5 1K) and Hannah Reale should also be in the mix.
1 Mile
This one will be interesting, too. As noted, Sammy Watson will be contesting the mile. She's fresh off a fourth place finish in the 1K at the USATF Indoor Championships. The 800 national record will move up in distance this week and it should be interesting.
Germantown Academy's Abbe Goldstein leads the way for PA in this race. Goldstein has had a dream season, winning at Millrose and then doubling in the mile and 3K at states and winning both. She enters with a best of 4:49.06. Virginia's Rachel McArthur and Maryland's Hayley Jackson will also be up there. One of two freshman in the championship field is Northern's Marlee Starliper. Starliper ran 4:56.67 to take fifth at states.
Photo by Ethan Rissell
2 Mile
GA's Abbe Goldstein is also entered in the 2 mile this weekend. Last year, Goldstein ran 10:20 to take fifth in this event and she should have her eyes on lowering that time on Sunday. Also in the this field from PA are the other two top finishers in the 3K from the PA state meet. North Allegheny's Clara Savchik was second to Goldstein and should be line for a fast race. Cheltenham's MaryGrace Rittler will also be on the hunt for a fast time.
Leading this field is NXN champion Brie Oakley, making the trip to NYC from Colorado. Others to watch in this field include Rebecca Story of Tennessee and Allie Schadler from Arizona. Plenty of other notable northeastern talent is in this field, too.
5000 Meters
Conestoga's Dominique Shultz will move up in distance and contest the 5K on Friday night at NBNI. 18:15 is her PR in the event from the XC season, which she ran at Paul Short. Brie Oakley, the NXN champ, who we mentioned is also racing the 2 mile, will go after the 5K win here as the favorite.