Gabrielle Wilkinson, Brandon Miller Eclipse 1500m Meet Records
The 1500m was the marquee event today at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Houston, Texas. Gabrielle Wilkinson, who competes for Friends Central, Pa. during the school year, blasted a new PB of 4:25.04 to not only win by an astonishing 27 seconds but set a new meet record for 17-18 Women. The prior record of 4:28.95 was set by Becki Wells in 1992. The mark ranks No. 13 in the U.S. this year and equates to 4:46.16 for a full mile. The rising junior's prior best in the event was 4:32.59.
Brandon Miller of Ultimate Speed Academy set his second Boys 14-year-old meet record of the week. The Missouri native followed up yesterday's 1:53 800m meet record win by winning the 1500m today in 4:02.09 for another meet record. His time broke the prior record of 4:07.74, set by Moises Medrano in 2014. Runner-up Victor Zuniga ran 4:18.70.
London Culbreath nearly added her name to the list of new 1500m record holders. The McKinney, Texas native battled with Athing Mu of Trenton, N.J. to battle through the line, 4:35.93 to 4:36.55. The 14-year-old Culbreath was just off the meet record set at 4:34.1 by Melissa Benner in 1986.
More highlights from Houston, Texas:
- Charles Brockman III ran 51.11 to win the Men's 17-18 400m hurdles final
- Another loaded sprint final is forming in the Women's 17-18 200m, as Tamara Clark (23.73), Katia Seymour (23.97), Karimah Davis (24.04), Caitlan Tate (24.07) and Kaylor Harris (24.14) each won their respective heats to advance to the final
- Tyrese Cooper set a new wind-legal PB of 20.62 (+0.4) in the prelims of the Boys 15-16 200m