Distance - Top Names That Would Have Appeared At NBNI
Tyler Shue (Ephrata) - 800 meters
Shue, the defending outdoor national 800 meter champion, likely entered the weekend with a lot of motivation after third place finish at the indoor state meet. He ran a 1:52.88 against college competition a week before states, so the fitness was there for Shue to still be in the hunt for an indoor national title to add to his outdoor one. Juniata's Garrett Baublitz (the indoor state champion in the mile) was entered in the second heat, while other strong half milers -- Central Bucks East's Holden Emery and Garnet Valley's Eric Albright -- were entered in the first heat. Each would have had a shot at a quick time.
Keara Seasholtz (Radnor) - 800 meters
The senior UVA recruit rose to the occasion at the indoor state meet and threw down a PA No. 1 time of 2:10.88 to win the title at Penn State. That time puts her at US No. 13 entering NBNI. The girls 800 set for nationals was set to be one -- if not the -- greatest races over the distance in high school history with the likes of Roisin Willis, Athing Mu, Sophia Gorriaran, and national leader Juliette Whittaker, among others entered. Seasholtz, out of the third of four heats in the Championship section, would still have a good shot to place high, particularly if the hot heat were to get tactical. Neumann Goretti's Kami Joi Hickson and Friends' Central's Micah Trusty, out of the first of those four heats, were a pair of other PA girls to keep an eye on in the field.
Robert DiDonato (Germantown Academy) - Mile
DiDonato, like the aforementioned Shue, would also seemingly have a lot of motivation coming into the weekend. The junior focused on the 3K at indoor states, and after pacing the pack early on, ended up eighth. But DiDonato has been a terrific miler this winter. He ran his best at the New Balance Games, winning in 4:15.78, a current US No. 15 time. Hungry to end his indoor season on a high note, DiDonato would have been one to watch out of the second of three heats in a loaded boys' mile field.
Taryn Parks (Greencastle-Antrim) - Mile
Last year produced one of the most memorable races in Pennsylvania history, as Parks outdueled Marlee Starliper to the line in a race that saw both girls clock times of 4:39.05, the two fastest in PA state history. There would be no rematch between the two this year with Starliper entered in only the 2 mile, but Parks was still ready to defend her state title. The senior UNC signee didn't bring any golds home from Penn State at the indoor state meet, but she has run 4:44.98, a US No. 3 time that makes her the top seeded girl in the field. Parks would certainly be in the mix for a second straight national title and perhaps another sub-4:40. Lydia Russell of Friends' Central was also in the field after running 4:51.07 (US No. 12).
Marlee Starliper (Northern) - 2 Mile
Starliper was ready for a special performance and perhaps her first indoor national title on Sunday, coming in fresh to the 2 mile. The senior and future NC State harrier was in arguably the best shape of her career on the heels of a winter season that saw her run all-time PA bests of 4:37.76 in the mile and 9:07.14 in the 3K, both national leaders. The meet record of 9:51 held by Katelyn Tuohy was in some serious danger and with the shape that Starliper was in, the high school national record of 9:38.68 held by Mary Cain should have also seen a strong challenge. We're left wondering what could have been in what was a tremendous indoor campaign from Starliper.
Emily Carter (Bethel Park) - 5K
Carter proved her abilities in the 5K on the track last outdoor season when she dropped a 16:32.48 on the track at New Balance Nationals Outdoor. Now the junior was entered in the 5K at indoor nationals with a great shot at a high finish. Carter had a standout XC distance, running a best of 17:19 over the distance. She had a successful indoor season that saw her take third in the mile and second in the 3K at indoor states.