Above Laila Campbell (Hip 5) looks back after Dominating Victory (Photo by KyleSplit)
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PHILADELPHIA - As two of the finest and fastest sprinters in state history,
Avery Lewis and Laila Campbell have been no strangers to one another over the
past several years, meeting in eastern Pennsylvania invitationals, indoor state
meets and post-season events.
On Saturday at Franklin Field, the two standouts met again in the 100-meter dash, this time finishing 1-2 in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor final. Campbell got the better of Lewis, as her winning time of 11.42 seconds into a slight headwind of 0.5 m/s was a meet record. The runner-up crossed in 11.52.
Campbell led the way in qualifying, running a wind-aided 11.44 to lead the eight finalists. Avery's run in the prelims was 11.61, worth No. 4 heading into the finale.
Campbell and Lewis were back in action today on the fourth and final day at Franklin Field, with Lewis one of the favorites in the final flight of the long jump and both having advanced to the 200 final. Campbell ran the 5th fastest time in the 200 prelims at 23.41, and Lewis grabbed the 7th spot at 23.61, with both chasing Shawnti Jackson and her meet record 22.84 on Saturday.
Sunday's half-lap final saw Campbell, the owner of the fastest 100 in state history, improve to 23.26 for third. The performance was just .02 off her PR.
Lewis finished 5th in 23.43, also just several hundredths off her lifetime best.