* Roisin Willis after winning the 800m on Saturday at New Balance Nationals Indoor
Photo Credit: Kyle Brazeil/MileSplit
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK -- It was a flashback to 2019 as Roisin Willis, the newly-minted national record holder for 800m, once again competed at the distance in a national championship race on Sunday at New Balance Nationals Indoor, and nabbed her second title in four seasons, winning a tactical race in 2:06.81.
"This race was a big breakthrough for me freshman year and ever since then I've wanted to prove I can do it again," she said. "Sophomore year it got canceled, so ever since then it's been building until today. So to come out and win, I'm really happy."
Willis started her indoor career with a win at NBNI over now-Olympic 800m champion Athing Mu, defeating the then-junior in 2:05.71, and on Sunday she closed it off with another one, holding off a sea of challengers in the final stretch.
In February she ran 2:00.06, breaking the high school indoor national record in the 800m at Boston University.
"With 600m to go, I just had so much left," Willis said, "so I just let it rip on that last 150."
Moses Brown junior Sophia Gorriaran made a move on the final curve and challenged Willis on the straightaway, but the Rhode Islander -- who ran the second-fastest 800m time in history this season in 2:00.58 -- was second in 2:07.68.
Valparaiso's Kaylie Politza was third in 2:08.85 while Normal Community's Ali Ince was fourth in 2:09.10.
A total of six girls broke 2:10, including Morgan Monesmith (2:09.10) and Gretchen Farley (2:09.52).
Girls Championship 1-Mile Racewalk: Madison Morgan won the title in 7:23.77, which was a full 17 seconds faster than second place Desilets Dubois (7:40.97) and third-place Ashlyn Poulin (7:51.48).
Boys Championship 1-Mile Racewalk: Ryan Allen scored the win in 7:12.
Girls Championship 60m Semis: Detroit Reinaissance made a confident statement in the semifinals, running the fastest time of the morning in 7.39. Avery Lewis was second in 7.42 while Laila Campbell was third in 7.43. Kaniya Johnson, Oliva Pace, Columba Effiong, Ramiah Elliott and Nia Wilson also made the finals.
Boys Championship 60m Semis: Westerville Central (OH) senior Justin Braun eased up in the final meters as he recorded the fastest performance in the middle rounds in 6.77. Louisiana native Leon Elloie was second in 6.79 while Fitzroy Ledgister was third in 6.81. Jonas Clarke, Carter Cukerstein, Fabian France, Jaden Brown and Eddy Vu also made the finals.
Boys Championship 800m: Marshall County (KY) senior Cade Flatt got out fast, led early and never relinquished control, winning the championship heat in a U.S. No. 3 all-time and new Armory facility record of 1:48.86.
"BET!" "BET!" Flatt exclaimed after crossing the finish.
Newbury Park's Colin Sahlman worked his way up to second place by lap two and made a challenge in the final 200m, but couldn't eat up the distance, finishing second in 1:50.90 McLean's Kyle Jemison was third overall in 1:53.19 while Vestavia Hills' Alex Leath was fourth in 1:53.22.
Girls Championship Mile (First Four Heats): Stone Ridge (MD) senior and Dartmouth recruit Katherine Strong elevated in the final laps, making a surge and winning Section 4 in 4:51.25.
That marked a three-second personal best for the Virginia native. Glen Ellyn's (IL) Audrey Allman was second in 4:52.74 while Park Tudor's Gretchen Farley was third in 4:53.33.
Boys Championship Mile (First Four Heats): North Carolina signee Aiden Neal gapped the field over the second half of his race in Section 4, winning in a new personal indoor best of 4:10.46.
Oviedo's Brayden Seymour was second in 4:11.49 while Rapid City's Simeon Birnbaum was third in 4:12.39.
