Boys 4x800m
When: Saturday January, 20, 5:05 PM (EST) (Championship Division); Friday January, 19 -- 4:35 PM (Boys 4x800m Relay Schools Over 600 Boys)
There have been some solid 4x800m races over the years at the Yale Track Classic, with the top nine all-time performances being under eight minutes. This year the nation's leading mark is 7:49.37, held by Bishop Shanahan (PA) High, a group that's competing at the VA Showcase this weekend. There may not be a team that can challenge that mark based on seed times, but it should be an interesting race nonetheless with six teams with seed times of sub 8:20 or better and several more knocking on the door in the championship 4x800m.
One of the biggest teams to watch will be the guys from Ballston Lake (NY) Burnt Hills, a group that's seeded at 8:16. They don't have the fastest seed time in the field, but expect the Spartans to be in the mix as they were ranked in the Flo50 in cross country for most of the fall.
Staples (CT) High comes in with the fastest seed time of 08:06.0, while Lawrenceville School (NJ) comes is second at 8:09. There is the potential for several teams to run under eight minutes.
The Over 600 section should also be an interesting race. Both Brewster (NY) and and Kennett (PA) are seeded with seed times of 8:19.0. Bishop Hendricken (RI) should also be in the mix, as they have the fastest seed time of 8:12 and qualified for NXN in the fall.