In a terrific showdown between a pair of Pennsylvania's top distance talents, two top five national times were thrown down in the 2 mile at Sunday's action at the Ocean Breeze Invitational.
Friends' Central's Lydia Russell out-dueled West Chester Henderson's Jenna Mulhern, as the pair clocked fast times and pushed each other to the limit. Russell kicked to the win in 10:35.18, a PA No. 1 and US No. 3 time, while Mulhern was a very close second in a PA No. 2 and US No. 4 time of 10:35.93.
After the first 400 meters, Russell went to the front and led the way. Mulhern was nestled in the pack following Russell. Just before the mile, a gap formed and it was still Russell leading the way with Mulhern right on her tail.
Then Mulhern made her move to the lead as the gap extended between the two PA girls and the rest of the field. It stayed that way until the last lap. Around the final turn, Russell stayed right with Mulhern and made the pass back, kicking her way to the line first, edging out Mulhern.
It was a terrific matchup between two of the state's best and likely not the last time we see these two go head-to-head this indoor season. Watch the race above and check out interviews with both girls after the race below.