6. Josephus Lyles (VA) - Boys 400m Champion
New York state champ Izaiah Brown was back to challenge him again and there was an 8th grade phenom in Tyrese Cooper trying to steal the show before he even got to high school. However, Josephus Lyles put them all back in their place and remained the New Balance Nationals Outdoor champion for the second year in a row with a season and personal best victory of 45.99.
After winning outdoor nationals last year as a sophomore in a 46.23 shocker, the T.C. Williams (VA) junior Lyles had struggled to beat that time all year including a loss and third place finish in the 400 at New Balance Nationals Indoor back in March. His trip last weekend with Team NSAF to Cuba seemed to flip the switch back on for him when he ran a season best 46.60 performance.
Brown got off to the fast early start in Sunday's fast section, but Lyles closed well over the final 100 meters to dip under 46 seconds for the first time and earn himself a US #4 ranking in the event. Now Lyles has the rare opportunity to become a 3-time outdoor national champion in the event if he can defend his title in 2016.
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