* Stefon Dodoo is one of the top middle-distance runners in the country, and has ran sub-1:50 twice this season
Photo Credit: David Nguyen/MileSplit
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Over the years, the AAU Junior Olympic Games have given fans some historic performances on the track.
From Michaela Rose's record-breaking run in the 800m in 2019 to Paul Denlinger's sub-six performance in the 2,000m steeplechase in 2009, the championship meet has seen it all.
Today, we're breaking down what to watch out for in the middle-distance events heading into the 2024 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The field for the 2024 edition is loaded with contenders for the title.
AAU Junior Olympic Games Previews:
Sprints: Kendrick Jones, Niles Briggman To Star In Sprints At AAU JOs
WATCH LIVE: THE 2024 AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES
COVERAGE BEGINS AIRING ON JULY 27 AT 8:00 a.m. EST
For more coverage, check out our AAU Junior Olympic Games meet page
Stefon Dodoo & Camerin Williams Set To Clash In 800m
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Over last few months, Stefon Dodoo and Camerin Williams have been absolute menaces on the track, both running under 1:51 on multiple occasions.
Dodoo, a junior out of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (PA) in the Philadelphia area, has gone as fast as 1:49.69 and also ran 1:49.93 just a few weeks after.
The defending PAISAA 800m champion also has some pretty handy speed, thanks to his 47.77 personal best in the 400m.
However, Williams is no slouch, either, coming into the meet with a 1:49.9 personal best from the USATF U20 Championships.
Just like Dodoo, Williams has that 400m speed, running under 50 seconds eight different times this season, with his fastest being 48.16.
There are a handful of other challengers in the 17-18yo boys 800m field with fast seed times that are surely going to make things interesting, but at the end of the day it's going to come down to a battle between these two.
If conditions aren't too bad, it could likely take a sub-1:50 to snag the title.
Layla Jordan Seeking Triple Gold In 800m/1500m/2k Steeple
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If you thought you had a busy weekend on deck, you should consider the racing schedule that Goodrich (MI) junior Layla Jordan has in store.
Heading into the meet in the girls 17-18yo category, Jordan is entered in the 400m, 800m, 1500m, 2000m steeplechase. She also could run a leg on both the Xtreme Force 4x100m and 4x400m relay. Athletes can only compete in four events, so something has to give.
But the craziest thing about all of this is that there's a legitimate chance she could leave Greensboro with a handful of medals, and even a few that are gold.
In the 800m, Jordan is coming off a time of 2:09.92, which was more than enough for a three second personal best. She also hasn't lost an 800m race since March, going a clean 9-0 during the outdoor season.
Moving up to the 1,500m, Jordan ran 5:04.25 for 1,600m in April, which converts to a 4:43.38 at the lower discipline, which would be the fastest time in terms of seed times by eight seconds.
Perhaps one of the most difficult and exhausting events Jordan has on deck is the 2,000m steeplechase, an event she has never raced according to the MileSplit database.
Photo Credit: Maxx Bradley/MileSplit
Izzy Ross Eyeing First AAU Junior Olympic Title
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After a spring season that consisted of both soccer games and track meets, Isabella Ross isn't taking any downtime ahead of her senior year
The Blue Valley Southwest (KS) rising senior is competing in the 2,000m steeplechase and the 4x400m and 4x800m.
This spring, Ross notched personal best times of 2:14.47, 4:56.74 and 11:07.02 in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. She followed all of that up with a 7:23.12 in the 2,000m steeplechase in June at her AAU region meet, which was the the No. 2 time in Kansas history.
This will only be Ross' second-ever steeplechase race of her career, but after winning by over a minute at her Regional, we think she'll be just fine.
The two-time state champion is the fastest entrant in the field, and the only girl under 7:30.
Aiden Costanzo, A College Freshman, Looking To Make Some Noise Ahead Of Clemson Tryout
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Throughout his prep career, Aiden Costanzo was homeschooled.
But that didn't matter on the track, as he won four state titles in his last year at the high school level in 2023.
Costanzo then went on to tryout for the Clemson cross country team, eventually being red-shirted.
After a few indoor races, Costanzo decided to take a break for a bit and focus on his training, eventually finding his way to the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Following his win in the 3,200m open race at the RunningLane Track Championships, Costanzo made it clear he was wanting another shot at competing for the Tigers, and is looking to raise his stock in hopes of trying out again.
Costanzo is opting for 18 barriers and five water jumps to do so, and after running 6:23.26 at his Regional, which was the second-fastest time in South Carolina this year, he could impress. The South Carolina native has the top seed time in the field, and the only one under 6:30.
