The Nike Outdoor Nationals H.S. meet is this weekend, and that typically spells the end of the H.S. season (this year, the Olympic trials will have some high schoolers, too, so it's not exactly the end). Anyway, NON is the closest thing to a national championships to conclude the spring T&F season.
Always, anticipated, the two-mile races are especially interesting this year. The boys race will have German Fernandez (8:34 3200), Rob Finnerty (4:01 1M), Luke Puskedra (8:46 3200), Colby Lowe (8:50 2-mile), and others. The hope is for a fast time, a historic time, but the heat of Greensboro, North Carolina might preclude a shot at Jeff Nelson's 30-year old H.S. record in the deuce.
Chris Derrick, Gatorade National H.A. runner of the year and owner of a 13:55 5K time from earlier this spring, has written a brilliant preview of the race for DyeStat. Seriously, it is one of the best previews of an individual H.S. race I have ever read.
It's unfortunate that there isn't a similar preview of the girls race. Massachusetts multi-state champion Emily Jones is considered one of the favorites, and is one of three runners "profiled" in a kind of ridiculous "tale of the tape" on DyeStat.
I mean, isn't there something wrong when the the boys preview focuses on accomplishments and on the strategy and drama of the race itself, and the girls preview tells us what flavor ice cream the competitors like? Please. Even though Jordan Hasay is bypassing NON for the USATF Jr. Olympics, there are 13 girls with PRs of 10:33 or better for 3200. Give them more respect.
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2 comments:
Thanks Jon for your terrific blogging all year. I have learned a lot about the sport of running from your posts. You show great respect for the community of high school runners, and this has enhanced the fun of being a parent fan. The narrated videos are great!
AHL
Its too bad to see these elite girls treated like beauty pageant contestants. Why isnt there a real deal race preview of what might be the best women's race ever run in high school?
Good luck to Emily Jones by the way. I guess if she wins more girls will start eating mint chocolate chip ice cream.
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