Dogwood Track Classic (VA)
Photo: Drew Hunter anchors winning DMR at the Penn Relays Carnival
This elite Virginia meet is highlighted by dozens of All-Americans, including sub-four minute miler Drew Hunter. Listed below are a few of the most highly anticipated events and how to watch. All times are Eastern.
Boys 800m: Drew Hunter, Brandon McGorty, Alex Lomong
Sub-four miler Drew Hunter will challenge himself by stepping down in distance this weekend to contest the 800m. The Oregon recruit owns an open PR of 1:53; he's racing two local studs and 1:51 runners Brandon McGorty (just a junior!) and Alex Lomong. McGorty split 1:49 indoors when he anchored his Chantilly High School SMR to the national title and national record at New Balance Nationals. H
Watch Live: Saturday, 12:55 p.m.
Girls 3200m: Weini Kelati, Rachel McArthur, Libby Davidson
Will Weini Kelati break 10 minutes? The national champion in cross country, two miles and the indoor 5K ran 10:02 for two miles at New Balance Nationals Indoor and will look to officially break the barrier for the first time. She likes to push the pace (she went out under 4:50 in the Penn Relays 3K!) so expect a hot early pace. Behind Kelati, the race will be tight between Rachel McArthur and Libby Davidson -- who placed second and third, respectively, in the Penn Relays Mile and 3K last weekend. McArthur ran her 3200m PR of 10:19 to beat Kate Murphy at the Virginia state meet last spring, while Davidson ran 10:14 for a full two miles to place runner-up behind Kelati at New Balance Nationals Indoor.
Watch Live: Saturday, 5:55 p.m.
Boys 110m Hurdles: Grant Holloway
The national record holder for 60m hurdles will make his season debut in the slightly longer hurdle race. His wind-legal PR is 13.75.
Watch Live: Saturday, 12:35 p.m.
Girls 100m Hurdles: Brandeé Johnson
The World Youth Championships bronze medalist will return to the 100m hurdles for the first time since the Texas Relays, where she took second place in 13.18 (+1.2), a time that still ranks No. 2 in the nation.
Watch Live: Saturday, 12:15 p.m.
Boys 200m: Grant Holloway, Michael Davenport
It's a treat to watch Grant Holloway hit the track, regardless of event. He'll face a tough opponent in the flat 200m here in Michael Davenport, who ran his best of 21.2 last summer. Holloway recently set an all-time best of 21.27 at a local Virginia meet.
Watch Live: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Girls 200m: Brandeé Johnson, Lauryn Ghee
The long-standing meet record of 23.4 is in serious danger here. Future NCAA champion Dawn Sowell set that mark (hand-timed, mind you) back in 1984. Both Brandee Johnson and Lauryn Ghee have dipped under 24 seconds in their careers: Johnson, 23.64 last year, and Ghee, 23.79 this spring.
Watch Live: Saturday, 5:10 p.m.
Girls 400m: Lauryn Ghee
Ghee will warm up for her 200m battle with Johnson by contesting the 400m She ranks in the top 50 this year with her 55.12 season-best, but she'll look to dip under 54 seconds again and get close to her 53.83 PR.
Watch Live: Saturday, 2:55 p.m.
Boys 3200m: Drew Hunter
National indoor 3K record holder Drew Hunter is entered here with a seed time of 8:39. He may run just to get a state qualifying time and he may not race at all, as his stated focus is the loaded 800m. But you never know...!
Watch Live: Saturday, 6:25 p.m.
- Johanna Gretschel