Top 10 Weekend Performances: National, Collegiate, Prep 800m Records Fall

Top 10 Weekend Performances: National, Collegiate, Prep 800m Records Fall

Between the national, collegiate and prep records that went down in the women's 800m and the many world leads that were set around the country.

Feb 13, 2017 by Taylor Dutch
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Between the national, collegiate and prep records that went down in the women's 800m and the many world leads that were set around the country, track and field was on fire this past weekend. Catch up on the top 10 best performances that went down between February 10-12.


Ajee Wilson, Sammy Watson light up the Millrose 800m


The women's 800m records went through an overhaul this weekend, highlighted by Ajee Wilson and Sammy Watson's breakthrough performances at the NYRR Millrose Games. Wilson, running effortlessly up front, broke the indoor American record with a victory in 1:58.27. The previous record of 1:58.71 was held by Nicole Teters since 2002. Charlene Lipsey also dipped under the record with a runner-up performance in 1:58.64.



In the same race, high school senior Sammy Watson continued her assault on the prep records with a sixth-place finish in 2:01.78, which broke Mary Decker's national high school and American junior record of 2:01.8 set in 1974. At the Armory Track Invitational one week earlier, Watson improved her own USA high school record in the 600m with a time of 1:27.13.



Jazmine Fray breaks the indoor collegiate record


The Texas A&M sophomore unleashed a massive personal best and indoor collegiate record when she won the 800m in 2:00.69 at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational. Fray's performance dipped under the previous record of 2:00.75 set by Nicole Cook in 2005. Prior to Saturday, Fray's all-conditions personal best in the 800m was 2:03.



Ronnie Baker blasts world leading 60m dash


At the International Copernicus Meeting in Poland, Ronnie Baker threw down a 60m victory in 6.46 seconds, which stands as the 24th best performance all-time, according to AllTimeAthletics.com. Baker now holds the world lead in the event as No. 2 performer and collegiate standout Christian Coleman ran 6.51 last weekend.


Fred Kerley runs fastest indoor 400m in the world for six years


The Texas A&M standout opened his indoor season by establishing the world lead in the indoor 400m. Kerley ran 45.02 at the Tiger Paw Invitational, which equals the fifth best time on the world all-time list. According to the IAAF, only Kerron Clement, Michael Johnson, Kirani James, and LaShawn Merritt have run faster than Kerley indoors.



Tyrese Cooper runs No. 2 400m all-time


In his latest breakthrough performance, high school sophomore Tyrese Cooper nearly broke another national record when he ran 46.01 to finish second in the 400m at the Tyson Invitational. The mark ranks No. 2 on the all-time prep list behind Elzie Coleman, who set the national record of 45.92 in 2004.


Hannah Cunliffe breaks all-conditions collegiate record


The Oregon sprint star threw down an all-conditions indoor collegiate record when she ran 7.07 in the 60m at the Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque. Cunliffe's performance broke the previous mark of 7.08 set by former Alabama standout Remona Burchell. In the same meet, Cunliffe won the 200m in 22.67, which stands as the second fastest mark on the NCAA indoor list.


Watch Cunliffe's record in Tasty Race Of The Week:


Edward Cheserek throws down world leading 5K


The 15-time NCAA champion notched the world lead in the 5K when he charged to victory at the Husky Classic on Friday night. Cheserek ran 13:32 to outlast Washington's Colby Gilbert who followed in 13:34. Cheserek's performance follows a dominant 7:46 3K victory at the Columbia East-West Challenge.


WATCH: Cheserek's 5K victory at Husky
 


Courtney Okolo breaks American record in 500m


The Olympic gold medalist threw down an American record in the indoor 500m when she charged to victory in 1:07.34 at the NYRR Millrose Games. Okolo's performance is the third-fastest all-time, only behind Russians Oleysa Krasnomovets and Olga Zaytseva.



Tara Davis breaks national record in long jump


Tara Davis lit up the crowd at Dunamis Sports Group Prep Classic when she leapt to a new high school national record in the long jump. The Agoura, Calif. native jumped 21'11'' to improve the previous record of 21'7.5'' set by Carol Lewis 36 years ago.



Sifan Hassan runs Millrose mile record, Kate Grace Nips Shannon Rowbury at the line


In an exciting women's Wannamaker Mile showdown, Sifan Hassan, Kate Grace and Shannon Rowbury engaged in a competitive front battle. Hassan closed for the win in 4:19.89, which broke the meet record. She also became the fourth woman ever to break 4:20 indoors. Behind her, Grace edged out Rowbury for second in 4:22.93. Grace's run makes her the sixth best performer on the U.S. all-time list.