* Emmry Ross (1) ran the top 800m time in the nation over the weekend
Photo: MileSplit Michigan
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National leads and state records and PBs, oh my!
With less than a month left in the indoor season, these girls are hitting their stride at the right time.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, February 20, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing girls from last weekend.
Caroline Barton, Carolina Day School (N.C.): At the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational, Barton took the No. 2 spot on the national leaderboard in the 3000m, running a PB of 9:26.63. Barton finished first in her heat, holding off the runner-up by a second. Barton had the 76th fastest time out of over 250 finishers and now sits No. 2 all-time in the North Carolina record books. Barton also became the 40th high schooler to break 9:30:30 and is No.30 all-time.
Dana Wilson, Greensboro Day School (N.C.): At the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational, Wilson ran to the top of the national leaderboard in the 200m, running a PB of 22.96 for the win. The Tennessee commit's first trip under 23 seconds was good enough for the No. 2 time in state history and the fourth-fastest performance in national history. The Nike Elite athlete also won the 60m in 7.16, the second-fastest time in the country this winter and second in U.S. prep history.
Zariel Macchia, William Floyd (N.Y.): Before she takes her talents to Provo to join the powerhouse BYU program, Macchia has one more track season at the high school level. While donning the black and gold Nike Elite kit, Macchia finished third in the 1000m at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational. The senior ran 2:44.84, the ninth-fastest time in high school history and second in state history. She's now the U.S. No. 1 in the event and the second girl under 2:45 this season.
Kya Crooke, Soca Speed Track Club (Ind.): The future Arizona Wildcat made the trip down to Louisville for the KTCCCA President's Day Weekend Invite, where she competed in the 55m and high jump, finishing third and first, respectively. Crooke clocked 7.22 in her third-place finish, moving up to No. 2 time in Indiana this season. Crooke also cleared 5-10 in the high jump, moving her into a tie for the top mark in the country. She sits an inch shy of her lifetime best, which she set last May at the IHSAA State Meet.
Emmry Ross, Onsted (Mich.): Last June, Ross set a lifetime best of 2:05.87 over 800m at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor. This weekend at The CIRCUIT - NYC, Ross dipped below 2:04 for the first time as she led the entire field to sub-2:10 performances and seven PBs. Ross stopped the clock at 2:03.95, which was enough to put her in the No. 1 spot in the country this season. The senior is now the eighth-fastest indoors all-time, and the Michigan indoor record holder, and just eight-hundredths of a second shy from the overall state record.
NPOTW's Previous Winners:
Week 1: Megan Ewers, Medgar Evers College Prep (N.Y.)
Week 2: Mia Maxwell, APXP Speed Development (Texas)
Week 3: Taylor Cox, Union Catholic Reg. (N.J.)
Week 4: Hannah Rae Shaffer, Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.)
Week 5: Anna Bockius, Padua Academy (Del.)
Week 6: Makenna Herbst, ProCaliber Track Club (Calif.)