New Balance Nationals Indoor Boys Event-By-Event Preview
New Balance Nationals Indoor Boys Event-By-Event Preview
Boys preview of New Balance Nationals Indoor
By: Robert Kellert for MileSplit
Armory, NYC - History is waiting to be made at New Balance National Indoors this weekend, and the entries definitely have the stuff to make their mark. Whether it is a record chaser, a final showdown between two top contenders, or an entire final's race to the line we have it. Check out what to keep an eye out for in each event below.
The 60 meter hurdles national record holder Trey Cunningham of Winfield City HS comes to town looking for his first New Balance National title, and he has put himself in great position to do so. Cunningham broke the national standard back in January at the Last Chance Invitational when he posted a 7.49. He'll be matching up with other big names such as Damion Thomas of Northeast HS in Florida US#2 at 7.75, Joseph Anderson of Upland High California US#3 at 7.77, and New Jersey's Cory Poole of East Orange Campus who has a 55 meter hurdle time of 7.13 on the season. This final should push each other to some fast times and maybe even lower the national record some more.
This one is going to be a fight to the finish with all the top competitors coming in around the same range of times. Jeremy Jennings of Downingtown East is has certainly made a case for himself this season, running a US#4 time of 6.81 at the Pennsylvania state championships the last week of February. That tied the season best of Eric Harrison Jr of St. John's College HS in DC, and both of those athletes are only .01 ahead of Caleb Jolivette's US#7 ranked 6.82 out of Texas. That only previews the top entries with times recorded on the board this season as we have to mention the top returner from last year's final Tyrese Cooper, out of Florida, who finished fourth at Nationals in 2016 running 6.80.
Another one of those can't miss events. US#1 and #2 ready to do battle here with Florida's Tyrese Cooper 21.12, who has a busy weekend, and Texas standout Champion Allison 21.19. The top returner entered from last year's final is ranked US#9 on the season at 21.44, Khance Myers of Michigan who finished third as a junior in 2016 running 21.59. Terrance Laird of Pennsylvania 21.31 US#5 and Eric Allen Jr of Maryland 21.33 US#7 also contenders in what is shaping up to be a very quick final.
We finally reach the premiere event for Tyrese Cooper with the 400 meter championships, he will also be competing in the 55 and 200 meter dash. Cooper is US#2 all-time in the event clocked at 46.01, just .09 off the national record of 45.92 held by Elzie Coleman since 2004. Cooper has already set the 300 meter indoor record at 32.87 and he'll have a loaded field there to push him for yet another national standard. US#2 Brian Herron of Georgia coming in at 47.13 and the top returner from last year's final Chantz Sawyers currently US#3 at 47.16 will be up to the challenge competing for the title.
The third and fourth place finishers from last year's Nationals meet return, and this time the national record of 1:49.21 held by New Jersey's Robby Andrews since 2009 is in jeopardy. Cameron Cooper of Oak Park Michigan comes in ranked second all-time in US high school history at 1:49.82. He'll have Brandon McGorty of Chantilly Virginia there to push for the standard, McGorty has a US#2 1:50.85 under his belt this season. If those two need any help up front look out for Ryne Bevan of Georgia 1:51.56 US#3 and Rey Rivera of New Jersey 1:52.18 US#4.
The defending 2016 Indoor champion Reed Brown returns to defend his throne, he is currently ranked US#2 this season with a 4:06.40. Dalton Hengst of Maryland and Pennsylvania's Josh Hoey are the only other two athletes entered who have gone under 4:10 this season. They are followed by quite a few sub-4:15 milers all looking to push the pace for some PRs and a chance at national glory on Sunday.
This is all about the showdown between D.J. Principe and Noah Affolder, two distance stars who are capable of big time sub-9 minute performances especially if they choose to use each other to push the pace. Principe was fourth as a junior last indoor when he ran 8:59.99 and he has a 4:00.97 mile time on his record this season. And don't count out Brodey Hasty either, had a great XC season placing third at NXN and has been running strong so far indoors with a 4:08.04 mile and 9:18.85 two mile.
Matt Grossman of Millburn, NJ was the third place finisher at Outdoor Nationals in 2016 with a time of 14:45.25 and leads the way into this indoor championship. Hunter Lucas of North Dakota was eighth in that race running 14:53.69 and looks to be Grossman's biggest threat among a talented field of athletes.
Ohio's Cameron Haught looks to win his third straight indoor national title and fourth overall in the mile race walk. With a career best of 6:15.77 set last year at this meet his eye is on the national record of 6:03.48 set in 2010 by Trevor Barron of Bethel Park, PA.
Three of the top five return from last year's indoor championship with William Henderson of Maryland leading the way ranked US#2 at 24-6.5. Noah Igbinoghene US#3 of Alabama and Jalen Seals US#6 are the other two top returners, Igbinoghene is also defending his national title in the triple jump. Keep an eye on US#4 Donovan Louis and US#5 Jahkwan Blackley as well, all over 23-8 this season.
US#1 ranked and defending national champion Noah Igbinoghene of Alabama returns to the Armory triple jump pit with a 50-03 PR in hand. The only athlete over 50 feet in the nation this season. He is trailed by Hasani Knight at US#2 with a 49-10 and Jalen Seals US#4 at 49-8.75.
New York's Daniel Claxton comes in ranked US#2 with a 7-0 clearance this season, returning from a sixth place 6-09 finish in 2016 he's already set to out perform that jump. There are plenty of jumpers just below him that are on the verge of clearing seven feet as well such as Kyle Garland of Pennsylvania US#3 at 6-10.75 and Alabama's JuVaughn Blake US#4 at 6-10.25. Can't count out returners from the top four at last year's championship either, Rahman Minor was third and Qayyim Ali fourth both at 6-09.
Pennsylvania's Jordan Geist has his eye on the national record as he goes in to defend his national title from 2016. Geist currently ranks second all-time at 76-10.5, behind Ryan Crouser's mark of 77-02.75 in 2011. He is joined by the only other boy to throw over 70 feet this season and that is Adrian Piperi of Texas, currently US#2 at 72-5. Piperi was second to Geist at last year's championship by just over two feet, however these two have a history of great match-ups going either way.
Three of the top five finishers return from last year and they are all in the mix once again. Jacob Wickey out of Ohio has the national lead at 78-07, he was third last year. Nick Lane 74-8 US#4 and Brent Fairbanks 75-6 US#3 were fourth and fifth in 2016 and remain among the top contenders. Jordan Geist who looks to be the favorite in the shot put enters this meet ranked US#2 at 76-6, could we see a double winner?
Potential history here as junior Mondo Duplantis of Lafayette HS out of Louisiana, the national record holder at 18-10.25, seeks to clear the 19 foot bar. If he does clear a height over 19-0.25 he sets the new world record for athletes under 20 years old, not only that but he'd then pass his dad's career best which would become useful during any family conversation.
There are four others over 17 feet this season including Riley Richards, KC Lightfoot, Matt Peare, and Peyton Weissmann.
With US#1 ranked Bullis 1:27.17 clearly leading the way, and US#3 Western Branch 1:27.61 and US#4 East Orange 1:27.80 also in contention these squads are all set to go for gold as well as fast times in the 4x200 meter. They are the only teams entered to run under 1:28 this season.
East Orange Campus, a team of Kishaen Richardson, Immyouri Etienne, Cory Poole, and Akeem Lindo, is currently second in the nation at 3:17.45 and is the top seed heading into this showdown. Bullis School 3:17.68 US#5 and Pickerington Central 3:18.25 US#5 finish off the only entries under 3:19 before the championship weekend.
With Carlisle US#1, who is going after the DMR, and Old Bridge US#3 not in the mix for the championship race Germantown Friends finds themselves the only entry under 7:50. With their 7:47.81 run at the Pennsylvania state championships they rank US#2 and just under three seconds ahead of the next ranked entry who is US#4 Thomas Worthington at 7:50.32.
This one is up for grabs between a few different squads. You have Virginia's Western Branch who's posted a wicked fast 29.46, they'll be running out of Section 8 facing off with Archbishop Molloy of NY. Then two New Jersey squads who battled all relay season will once again go at it in Section 9, that being West Essex at 29.72 and East Orange Campus who has Cory Poole running 29.89.
Top ranked Motor City TC will have their eyes on the national record of 3:24.02 set last year at this meet by Chantilly. Motor City currently has a 3:31.83 under their belt and at full power with the top 800 meter runner in the country, Cameron Cooper, they look pretty solid heading in. If that isn't enough they'll have the help to improve that time with a strong field behind them. Danbury US#2 at 3:32.75 and five other teams under 3:35 including Oxon, Fordham Prep, Trenton Central, Panther Creek, and Rancocas Valley will all be competing for the title this weekend.
Many of the top teams in the nation will square off in distance battle royale. They are led by Carlisle US#1 at 10:13.12, who will have a squad consisting of Sam and Noah Affolder, Issac Kole, and Jared Griffie. Toeing the line with them is CBA 10:19.20 US#2, Princeton 10:19.73 US#3, Germantown Friends US#4, McNair Academic US#5, and Brentwood US#6. Plenty of teams who have room to improve now that the big dance is upon us.
This one looks to be between Christian Brothers Academy (who yes has two teams entered), and Colts Neck, both out of New Jersey. CBA set the national record of 17:07.17 at this meet in 2014. The two fastest milers on each team this season - Jordan Brannan of Colts Neck 4:17.12 (1600m) and Colin Trigani of CBA 4:18.25 (1600m).
Top returner from last year's championship is junior Kyle Garland our Germantown Friends School, he placed second with 3699 points. The national leader heading in this season is Danny Renwick of Old Rochester Regional who scored 3,553 points at a meet in December, Sam Rusak of Scarborough also looking strong US#2 with 3,540.
Armory, NYC - History is waiting to be made at New Balance National Indoors this weekend, and the entries definitely have the stuff to make their mark. Whether it is a record chaser, a final showdown between two top contenders, or an entire final's race to the line we have it. Check out what to keep an eye out for in each event below.
Boys 60m Hurdles
The 60 meter hurdles national record holder Trey Cunningham of Winfield City HS comes to town looking for his first New Balance National title, and he has put himself in great position to do so. Cunningham broke the national standard back in January at the Last Chance Invitational when he posted a 7.49. He'll be matching up with other big names such as Damion Thomas of Northeast HS in Florida US#2 at 7.75, Joseph Anderson of Upland High California US#3 at 7.77, and New Jersey's Cory Poole of East Orange Campus who has a 55 meter hurdle time of 7.13 on the season. This final should push each other to some fast times and maybe even lower the national record some more.
Boys 60m
This one is going to be a fight to the finish with all the top competitors coming in around the same range of times. Jeremy Jennings of Downingtown East is has certainly made a case for himself this season, running a US#4 time of 6.81 at the Pennsylvania state championships the last week of February. That tied the season best of Eric Harrison Jr of St. John's College HS in DC, and both of those athletes are only .01 ahead of Caleb Jolivette's US#7 ranked 6.82 out of Texas. That only previews the top entries with times recorded on the board this season as we have to mention the top returner from last year's final Tyrese Cooper, out of Florida, who finished fourth at Nationals in 2016 running 6.80.
Boys 200m
Another one of those can't miss events. US#1 and #2 ready to do battle here with Florida's Tyrese Cooper 21.12, who has a busy weekend, and Texas standout Champion Allison 21.19. The top returner entered from last year's final is ranked US#9 on the season at 21.44, Khance Myers of Michigan who finished third as a junior in 2016 running 21.59. Terrance Laird of Pennsylvania 21.31 US#5 and Eric Allen Jr of Maryland 21.33 US#7 also contenders in what is shaping up to be a very quick final.
Boys 400m
We finally reach the premiere event for Tyrese Cooper with the 400 meter championships, he will also be competing in the 55 and 200 meter dash. Cooper is US#2 all-time in the event clocked at 46.01, just .09 off the national record of 45.92 held by Elzie Coleman since 2004. Cooper has already set the 300 meter indoor record at 32.87 and he'll have a loaded field there to push him for yet another national standard. US#2 Brian Herron of Georgia coming in at 47.13 and the top returner from last year's final Chantz Sawyers currently US#3 at 47.16 will be up to the challenge competing for the title.
Boys 800m
The third and fourth place finishers from last year's Nationals meet return, and this time the national record of 1:49.21 held by New Jersey's Robby Andrews since 2009 is in jeopardy. Cameron Cooper of Oak Park Michigan comes in ranked second all-time in US high school history at 1:49.82. He'll have Brandon McGorty of Chantilly Virginia there to push for the standard, McGorty has a US#2 1:50.85 under his belt this season. If those two need any help up front look out for Ryne Bevan of Georgia 1:51.56 US#3 and Rey Rivera of New Jersey 1:52.18 US#4.
Boys Mile
The defending 2016 Indoor champion Reed Brown returns to defend his throne, he is currently ranked US#2 this season with a 4:06.40. Dalton Hengst of Maryland and Pennsylvania's Josh Hoey are the only other two athletes entered who have gone under 4:10 this season. They are followed by quite a few sub-4:15 milers all looking to push the pace for some PRs and a chance at national glory on Sunday.
Boys 2 Mile
This is all about the showdown between D.J. Principe and Noah Affolder, two distance stars who are capable of big time sub-9 minute performances especially if they choose to use each other to push the pace. Principe was fourth as a junior last indoor when he ran 8:59.99 and he has a 4:00.97 mile time on his record this season. And don't count out Brodey Hasty either, had a great XC season placing third at NXN and has been running strong so far indoors with a 4:08.04 mile and 9:18.85 two mile.
Boys 5K
Matt Grossman of Millburn, NJ was the third place finisher at Outdoor Nationals in 2016 with a time of 14:45.25 and leads the way into this indoor championship. Hunter Lucas of North Dakota was eighth in that race running 14:53.69 and looks to be Grossman's biggest threat among a talented field of athletes.
Boys Mile Racewalk
Ohio's Cameron Haught looks to win his third straight indoor national title and fourth overall in the mile race walk. With a career best of 6:15.77 set last year at this meet his eye is on the national record of 6:03.48 set in 2010 by Trevor Barron of Bethel Park, PA.
Boys Long Jump
Three of the top five return from last year's indoor championship with William Henderson of Maryland leading the way ranked US#2 at 24-6.5. Noah Igbinoghene US#3 of Alabama and Jalen Seals US#6 are the other two top returners, Igbinoghene is also defending his national title in the triple jump. Keep an eye on US#4 Donovan Louis and US#5 Jahkwan Blackley as well, all over 23-8 this season.
Boys Triple Jump
US#1 ranked and defending national champion Noah Igbinoghene of Alabama returns to the Armory triple jump pit with a 50-03 PR in hand. The only athlete over 50 feet in the nation this season. He is trailed by Hasani Knight at US#2 with a 49-10 and Jalen Seals US#4 at 49-8.75.
Boys High Jump
New York's Daniel Claxton comes in ranked US#2 with a 7-0 clearance this season, returning from a sixth place 6-09 finish in 2016 he's already set to out perform that jump. There are plenty of jumpers just below him that are on the verge of clearing seven feet as well such as Kyle Garland of Pennsylvania US#3 at 6-10.75 and Alabama's JuVaughn Blake US#4 at 6-10.25. Can't count out returners from the top four at last year's championship either, Rahman Minor was third and Qayyim Ali fourth both at 6-09.
Boys Shot Put
Pennsylvania's Jordan Geist has his eye on the national record as he goes in to defend his national title from 2016. Geist currently ranks second all-time at 76-10.5, behind Ryan Crouser's mark of 77-02.75 in 2011. He is joined by the only other boy to throw over 70 feet this season and that is Adrian Piperi of Texas, currently US#2 at 72-5. Piperi was second to Geist at last year's championship by just over two feet, however these two have a history of great match-ups going either way.
Boys Weight Throw
Three of the top five finishers return from last year and they are all in the mix once again. Jacob Wickey out of Ohio has the national lead at 78-07, he was third last year. Nick Lane 74-8 US#4 and Brent Fairbanks 75-6 US#3 were fourth and fifth in 2016 and remain among the top contenders. Jordan Geist who looks to be the favorite in the shot put enters this meet ranked US#2 at 76-6, could we see a double winner?
Boys Pole Vault
Potential history here as junior Mondo Duplantis of Lafayette HS out of Louisiana, the national record holder at 18-10.25, seeks to clear the 19 foot bar. If he does clear a height over 19-0.25 he sets the new world record for athletes under 20 years old, not only that but he'd then pass his dad's career best which would become useful during any family conversation.
There are four others over 17 feet this season including Riley Richards, KC Lightfoot, Matt Peare, and Peyton Weissmann.
Boys 4x200m
With US#1 ranked Bullis 1:27.17 clearly leading the way, and US#3 Western Branch 1:27.61 and US#4 East Orange 1:27.80 also in contention these squads are all set to go for gold as well as fast times in the 4x200 meter. They are the only teams entered to run under 1:28 this season.
Boys 4x400m
East Orange Campus, a team of Kishaen Richardson, Immyouri Etienne, Cory Poole, and Akeem Lindo, is currently second in the nation at 3:17.45 and is the top seed heading into this showdown. Bullis School 3:17.68 US#5 and Pickerington Central 3:18.25 US#5 finish off the only entries under 3:19 before the championship weekend.
Boys 4x800m
With Carlisle US#1, who is going after the DMR, and Old Bridge US#3 not in the mix for the championship race Germantown Friends finds themselves the only entry under 7:50. With their 7:47.81 run at the Pennsylvania state championships they rank US#2 and just under three seconds ahead of the next ranked entry who is US#4 Thomas Worthington at 7:50.32.
Boys Shuttle Hurdle Relay
This one is up for grabs between a few different squads. You have Virginia's Western Branch who's posted a wicked fast 29.46, they'll be running out of Section 8 facing off with Archbishop Molloy of NY. Then two New Jersey squads who battled all relay season will once again go at it in Section 9, that being West Essex at 29.72 and East Orange Campus who has Cory Poole running 29.89.
Boys Sprint Medley Relay
Top ranked Motor City TC will have their eyes on the national record of 3:24.02 set last year at this meet by Chantilly. Motor City currently has a 3:31.83 under their belt and at full power with the top 800 meter runner in the country, Cameron Cooper, they look pretty solid heading in. If that isn't enough they'll have the help to improve that time with a strong field behind them. Danbury US#2 at 3:32.75 and five other teams under 3:35 including Oxon, Fordham Prep, Trenton Central, Panther Creek, and Rancocas Valley will all be competing for the title this weekend.
Boys Distance Medley Relay
Many of the top teams in the nation will square off in distance battle royale. They are led by Carlisle US#1 at 10:13.12, who will have a squad consisting of Sam and Noah Affolder, Issac Kole, and Jared Griffie. Toeing the line with them is CBA 10:19.20 US#2, Princeton 10:19.73 US#3, Germantown Friends US#4, McNair Academic US#5, and Brentwood US#6. Plenty of teams who have room to improve now that the big dance is upon us.
Boys 4xMile
This one looks to be between Christian Brothers Academy (who yes has two teams entered), and Colts Neck, both out of New Jersey. CBA set the national record of 17:07.17 at this meet in 2014. The two fastest milers on each team this season - Jordan Brannan of Colts Neck 4:17.12 (1600m) and Colin Trigani of CBA 4:18.25 (1600m).
Boys Pentathlon
Top returner from last year's championship is junior Kyle Garland our Germantown Friends School, he placed second with 3699 points. The national leader heading in this season is Danny Renwick of Old Rochester Regional who scored 3,553 points at a meet in December, Sam Rusak of Scarborough also looking strong US#2 with 3,540.
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