* Race video from the girls championship mile at the RunningLane Track Championships
Photo Credit: Gary Kin/Gary Kin Studios
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HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA -- Bethany Michalak bided her time.
With the high school girls championship mile going out to a fast early pace at the RunningLane Track Championships on Saturday, the Air Academy sophomore waited her time to strike.
And as the field began to slowly come back to her, that's when she made the move.
Michalak closed the gap and swooped in for the lead, ultimately holding off hard-charging surges from Delta's (IN) Nicki Southerland and Virginia's Allie Zealand in the final seconds.
The Colorado teenager would go on to win in 4:44.46, a U.S. No. 11 time, holding off Southerland's time of 4:45.03 and Zealand's mark of 4:45.17.
Kayla Werner, the 3,200m champion on Friday, was fourth in 4:46.11 while Camryn Wennersten was fifth in 4:46.74. Mary Grace Hegberg and Reese Dalton also went under 4:50.
Boerne Champion graduate Anastacia Gonzales, who led for stretches early on, was eight in 4:51.31.
All photos by Gary Kin
Michalak's Post-Race Interview
