3. Rai Benjamin (NY) - Boys 400m Hurdles Champion
One of the top races to watch in Sunday afternoon's primetime session at the New Balance Nationals was the boys 400 meter hurdles with indoor national 400 meter champ Rai Benjamin of New York, New Jersey state champion Taylor McLaughlin, and Texas state champion Norman Grimes.
Putting hurdles out on the track, Benjamin had the US leader in the 300 meter hurdles in Grimes take it out in the first 200 meters of the race. Benjamin caught up to him by 300 meters, but then had McLaughlin coming on strong late to challenge and push him under 50 seconds for the first time at 49.97. The time ranks Benjamin as the US #7 all-time performer in the event and breaks his own New York state record in the event.
MileSplit counts down the top 15 boys individual performers from the 2015 New Balance Nationals:
#15. Jack Jibb (NY) - Steeplechase Champ
#14. Adam Kelly (RI) - Hammer Throw Champ
#13. Matthew Novak (VA) - Mile Champ
#12. Chris McBride (GA) - Long Jump Champ
#11. Carter Blunt (TX) - 2 Mile Champ & Mile Runner-up
#10. Paulo Benavides (TX) - Pole Vault Champ
#9. John Lewis (PA) - 800m Champ
#8. Will Lauer (SD) - 5K Champ
#7. Jaron Brooks (KY) - High Jump Champ
#6. Josephus Lyles (VA) - 400m Champ
#5. Willie Morrison (KS) - Shot Put Champ
#4. Tyrese Cooper (FL) - 8th Grader Runs 46.44 400m
#3. Rai Benjamin (NY) - 400m Hurdles Champ
#2. Chad Zallow (OH) - 110m Hurdles Champ
#1. Noah Lyles (VA) - 100m & 200m Champ