For years, New Balance Nationals has consistently been one of the most competitive and entertaining national postseason meets in the country. 

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From World Record holders to Olympic gold medalists, there's no shortage of world-class athletes who first made a name for themselves amongst the high school ranks. 

Here are four of the top storylines to keep an eye on at this year's edition of New Balance Nationals Outdoor.

Sadie Engelhardt Chasing National Titles Before Joining Wolfpack

The former national record holder and future member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack is looking to end her prep career with two more national titles. Engelhardt is eyeing the mid-distance sweep, hoping to win what would be her first NB Nationals Outdoor 800m title, and her third-straight national championship in the mile. 

Engelhardt had a terrific indoor campaign this winter, running 4:27.97, the No. 2 fastest time ever run by a high school girl, as well as notching solid finishes at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and the 117th Millrose Games. Since her most recent PB, the Ventura (Calif.) graduate has raced just once, finishing eighth at Sound Running's Track Fest at the end of May, where she finished 8th in the 1500m in 4:18.10, 

There are several notable stars that high school legend will have to contend with, including Hanne Thomsen, Chloe Huyler, Lilly Beshears, and dozens of other top-tier milers. In the 800m, Emmry Ross is Engelhardt's biggest threat to her double attempt, coming into the weekend as the national leader (2:00.50) and the NB National Indoor champion. 

Herriman Boys Chasing Newbury Park's 4xMile Record

It wasn't that long ago that the Sahlmans and Youngs were comfortably dominating the high school landscape. They won national titles, set national records, and left a legacy that should stand the test of time.

However, a quartet out of Herriman, Utah, has set their sights on Newbury Park's three-year-old national record of 16:29.31 in the 4xMile, a standard they set at New Balance Nationals Indoor in 2022. Lex and Leo Young, along with Colin and Aaron Sahlman, combined to average 4:07 apiece as they lowered the previous record by nearly 18 seconds.

The Utah-based quartet of Jonah and Micah Tang, Tayshaun Ogomo, and Jackson Spencer sport 1600m PBs that support their case as worthy contenders. Jonah and Micah Tang have run 4:09 and 4:10 this outdoor season, while Ogomo and Spencer have clocked 4:13 and 4:00.   

It's also worth noting that Ogomo has run under 1:50 in the 800m this spring, with a personal best of 1:49.40, and that a lot of Herriman's racing takes place at altitude, making it difficult to predict how fast this quartet can go.  

They won't be alone, though, as sub-four milers Josiah Tostenson and Tayvon Kitchen are looking to continue their 2025 dominance.

Natalie Dumas Eyes History, Taking On 400m, 800m, and 400mH

In what is shaping up to be one of the most unique triple attempts we've come across as of late, the Eastern Regional (N.J.) junior is looking to win gold in the 400m, 800m, and 400mH.

Dumas is coming off a dominant showing at the NJSIAA State Meet of Champions, winning all three events without missing a beat. She also bested the 400m field at the Brooks PR Invitational, running 52.40 as she broke the tape. 

Heading into her first-ever New Balance Nationals, Dumas sits No. 2 nationwide in the 400m (51.87), No. 4 in the 800m (2:02.75), and the national leader in the 400mH (57.30). 

Jake Odey-Jordan Looks To Continue 200m Reign

If there's one thing we know for sure about Jake Odey-Jordan, the junior from Archbishop Carroll (D.C.), it's that the lights are never too bright. As a freshman, Odey-Jordan won the NB Nationals Outdoor Freshman 200m title in 21.39, before sweeping the Championship Indoor and Outdoor titles as a sophomore. 

At the 2024 edition of NBNI, Odey-Jordan clocked a lifetime best of 20.66 to win the title, going on to win the outdoor title in even more impressive fashion, breaking the tape at 20.55. 

His junior campaign hasn't been any less exciting up to this point, winning the NBNI title in March, dipping under 21 seconds yet again, and winning by just under one-tenth of a second.

This weekend, Odey-Jordan is undoubtedly the favorite thanks to his track record and the fact that he owns the fastest wind-legal time amongst the field. The junior is ranked No. 11 in the country this season, but nine out of the 10 athletes ranked ahead of him are not entered, leaving the door wide open for his second consecutive New Balance Nationals sweep.

Granted, just because he's the fastest doesn't mean it'll be a cakewalk, especially considering there are plenty of entries that are due for a big-time performance. 

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