If you're looking for an exciting race to watch this weekend, look no further than the girl's 1 mile at New Balance Nationals Indoor.
Five of PA's top milers are entered in the race, with three ranked nationally. It would take a big upset for any of them to pull off the win over top-seeded athletes such as Sadie Engelhardt (US No.2 from Ventura (SS), California) or Tatum David (US No.3 from Olney, Illinois). Still, First Team All-American status (top-eight finish) isn't out of the question.
Logan St. John Kletter (Mount Lebanon) shows much promise to podium. Kletter has been having a solid season, winning the mile at the PTFCA Indoor State Championship in 4:53.21. This performance ranks her 22nd in the country, putting her in the fifth heat. We still like her odds of running well, as she's improved her personal best every time she's run the mile this season.
Logan St. John Kletter winning the PTFCA Indoor Mile State Title
Olivia Cieslak (Haverford Township HS) has been flying under the radar in the mile this year, but she's got the wicked potential to pull off something big. Cieslak's US No.5 1600m effort of 4:49.14 puts her in the sixth heat at the National Championship. This is comparable to Kletter's mile time, but the Cieslak's got a secret weapon in her arsenal that can't be overlooked. Cieslak is fresh off a state runner-up effort in the 800m, where she ran 2:11.85. This type of closing speed could make the difference in a championship race.
Ella Woehlcke (Mount Saint Joseph Academy) will be running out of the 5th heat with Kletter. Woehlcke has had a strong junior campaign running the US No.26 time of 4:53.82. She ran this at the Millrose Games, finishing in 6th. She also finished 3rd in the mile at the PTFCA Indoor State Championship. These top finishes at big races prove she has the race intelligence for an intense championship performance.
Keep an eye on the other sections as Natalie McLean (Pine-Richland) will run in heat three, and Marlee Kwasnica (State College Area) will run in heat two.
Let's face the facts. It will take considerable effort from Kletter, Cieslak, and Woehlcke to finish on top, no matter how tactical their races are. This is because they will be running out of heats five and six. Heat seven is the last heat, with 13 of the top girl milers in the country. These 13 runners will have the advantage of knowing the times to beat before stepping on the line.
However, counting the PA girls out from getting on that podium would be wrong. They all have shown great potential this season and will be looking to transition into outdoor on a high note. Don't forget, PA Don't Play!