The 3200m pack early in the race - Photo by ComstockPhotosandSuch
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In a genuinely historic clash, 11 girls broke 11 minutes at the AAA District 1 Championship in the 3200m run.
Leading the way, Claire Zubey (Owen J. Roberts) scorched a brilliant 10:40.17 in a tactical race. She positioned herself early before moving to the lead at the 2k mark. She never looked back and would eventually close with a blistering 72-second last lap.
Rustin's Ellie Keefer followed Zubey's parade through the pack but was a little late responding after Zubey jumped to the lead. She maintained the gap to Zubey and finished in 10:47.14, narrowly holding off Hannah Prokup (Strath Haven), who managed to close in a 75-second last quarter for a time of 10:47.593.
Prokup made up three spots in that final lap, going from sixth to third, passing Sienna Miller (Perkiomen Valley), Ruby Schwelm (Penncrest), and Kate Bradish (Neshaminy). They all finished faster than 10:48.5.
Lillian DiCola (7th), Zoe Margolies (8th), Kenzie Padilla (9th), Bailey Hall (10th), and Avery Lustgarten rounded out the Top-11.
Zoe Margolies, in eighth, was the final girl to punch her ticket to the states meet. Despite slipping from fourth to eighth on her final circuit, she was able to hold onto the coveted final transfer spot and hit the state qualifying standard.
Avery Lustgarten may not have qualified for states, but she did run the fastest time by a freshman this year. Her 10:59.64 is the 25th fastest time by a PA freshman all-time.