13. Matthew Novak (VA) - Boys Mile Champion
Matthew Novak of Deep Run High School in Virginia had won numerous state titles and been All-American twice in the past in the New Balance Nationals mile, but Sunday was his last shot to become a national champion. He had a very daring plan to take the lead and push the pace solo from the gun as he went through the quarter mile in 1:01.93 and half mile in 2:03.93.
After failing to strike a major win ever really outside of the state of Virginia including races this past year at the Yale Track Classic, Raleigh Relays, and Penn Relays, Novak finally did it. He held off a hard charging chase pack down the final 100 meters to grab a 4:09.23 victory for the national title by the University of Virginia recruit.
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