Gabrielle Wilkinson was waiting for her spot.
When she reached the backstretch with 300 meters to go, there was no stopping her.
The Friends' Central senior showed off her patented kick on Friday afternoon at the John Hay PA Distance Festival at West Chester Henderson. In the elite women's 1,500 meters, Wilkinson picked her spot to go at the 1,200 meter mark, exactly three laps in. Like a cannon she went and no one else in the field could respond.
From there, she was home free. Wilkinson's savvy race tactics were on display as she rolled to the win on Friday. The University of Florida recruit finished closed that final lap hard and crossed the line in 4:30.49, a US#12. Wilkinson's savvy race tactics were on display as she rolled to the win on Friday.
Wilkinson has had a relatively quiet outdoor season after a big winter that included a win in the Millrose mile. This spring she helped Friends' Central to both the Friends League and PAISAA team titles. But Friday was an indication that Wilkinson is gearing up for what could be a big summer.
Watch the race video from Henderson above and check out other meet links below.
Women 1500 Meter Run Elite
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Name Year School Seed Finals Points
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Finals
1 130 Wilkinson, Gabriel Unattached 4:25.04 4:30.49
2 128 Manning, Holly Unattached 4:25.00 4:33.91
3 289 Morris, Alex New Balance Pace 4:32.00 4:34.87
4 129 McGonigle, Alyson George Town Runn 4:34.00 4:38.00
5 288 Tawa, Liz New Balance Pace 4:45.61 
