Nike Indoor Nationals: Top Boys and Girls Events to Watch

The boys' 200m at NIN features a loaded field with some of the nation's top sprinters, all capable of taking home the title. 

Defending champion Kendrick Jones Jr. returns, though he hasn't raced indoors yet this season. However, he recently opened his outdoor campaign with a blistering 45.27 in the 400m, the fastest time in the U.S. this year and the 16th-fastest in history. Despite the lack of indoor reps, his raw speed makes him a serious contender.

Jonathan Simms enters as the U.S. #2-ranked runner with a season-best 20.95. He has been battle-tested this season, competing at major meets like the Millrose Games and the Texas Indoor Championships. Jayden Horton-Mims, ranked #5 at 21.06, remains undefeated indoors and was last year's runner-up.

Another interesting entry is Brayden Williams who just ran 9.99 for the 100m and owns a 21.52 outdoor 200m PR. Freshman Dillon Mitchell, who just set a national freshman record with a 10.35 in the outdoor 100m, adds an exciting wildcard to the mix.

Tate Taylor (21.09) and Ade Lloyd (21.29) round out a deep field where multiple sprinters have a shot at the podium. With championship experience, national records, and rising talent all in play, this race could be one of the fastest of the meet.

Dana Wilson 

The girls' 60m at Nike Indoor Nationals will feature a loaded field, headlined by Dana Wilson, the U.S. #2 runner with a season-best time of 7.16. Wilson is undefeated this season in the 55m, 60m, and 200m, and she will be looking to extend her unbeaten streak in this stacked race.

Close behind Wilson is U.S. #4 runner Mia Maxwell, the Texas State 60m champion, with a season-best of 7.24. Maxwell has proven herself as a top contender, and she'll look to make a statement on the national stage.

Sianni Wynn, the U.S. #5 runner with a time of 7.32, will also be in the mix. Wynn recently ran a blazing 6.73 in the 55m, which ranks No. 6 in U.S. history. She's also set a new state record with her 23.31 200m time, which ranks No. 12 in U.S. history.

Aster Jones, ranked U.S. #7 with a season-best 7.36, and Madeline Cooper, ranked U.S. #10 with a time of 7.39, will also be looking to make an impact.

Lastly, Celeste Robinson, ranked U.S. #7 in the 55m with a time of 6.87, will add even more firepower to this already stacked field.

With such a competitive lineup, this race promises to be fast and exciting, with the top spots up for grabs.

The boys' 400m championship at NIN Indoor features a stacked field of elite quarter-milers, all capable of pushing for a national title.

Jonathan Simms comes in as the U.S. #2-ranked runner with a season-best 46.35 from the Texas Indoor Championships. He has already proven himself on big stages this season, competing at high-profile meets like the Millrose Games, and will be looking to add a national title to his resume.

Jordan Riggs, ranked U.S. #4 with a time of 46.48, is another top contender. He has been sharp all season and will look to challenge Simms for the top spot. Defending champion Jayden Horton-Mims, ranked U.S. #5 at 46.77, remains undefeated this season and knows what it takes to win on this stage. His championship experience makes him a serious threat.

One major wildcard is Kendrick Jones Jr., who has yet to run an indoor 400m this season but just opened his outdoor campaign with a blistering 45.27 - currently the fastest time in the U.S. and the 16th-fastest in history. If he's in peak form, he could be the one to beat.

With multiple sub-47-second runners in the field and a mix of experienced champions and rising stars, this race has all the makings of a classic showdown.

The girls' 800m at Nike Indoor Nationals is shaping up to be an exciting contest with a talented field of athletes ready to push the pace.

U.S. #3 runner Reagan Moore enters as the favorite with a season-best of 2:04.80, one of only three performances under 2:06 this season. She's fresh off a victory at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions and has proven herself as one of the nation's top middle-distance runners.

Right behind Moore is U.S. #12 Celia Schulte, who boasts a personal best of 2:08.92. Schulte has been consistent all season and will be looking to improve on her PR in this competitive race. U.S. #14 Neenah Trusty, with a personal best of 2:09.64, is also in the field and could make a push for a top finish.

Colorado's Rosie Mucharsky, a 4:45 miler and 2:09 800m runner, is another contender to watch. Mucharsky has the range to compete in both the 800m and mile and will be looking to capitalize on her strength in this event.

Dylan McElhinney, a 2:06 800m runner and this year's Millrose Games mile champion with a time of 4:42, has been battle-tested this season and will be a serious threat to anyone in the field.

With several athletes who have run under 2:10 this season, expect a fast-paced, competitive race for the championship.

Alex Fisher enters as the only runner in the field to have broken 9 minutes indoors this season, leading the way with his U.S. #3 time of 8:58.23. He'll be the one to watch as the top seed.

Max Cervi-Skinner, the top returner from last year's race, placed 9th in 2023 with a time of 9:05.45. While he hasn't raced a 2-mile indoors this season, he's set new personal bests in the mile and 3000m, showing he's in strong form.

Corbin Coombs, ranked U.S. #6 in the 2-mile and U.S. #5 in the mile, boasts a 9:01.38 PR in this event and a 4:01.62 mile to his name, making him a serious podium contender. He's joined by TJ Hansen, the U.S. #6-ranked miler and U.S. #4-ranked 3000m runner (8:10.24), and Tommy Latham, who has run just one indoor race this season but made it count with a blazing 4:00.94 mile PR.

Adding to the depth is Charlie Vause, the reigning Nike Cross Nationals champion, who brings championship experience and endurance that could prove dangerous in a tactical race.

With a mix of experienced 2-milers, top-tier milers looking to extend their range, and a cross-country national champion in the field, this race has the potential to be one of the fastest and most competitive of the meet.

The girls' mile at Nike Indoor Nationals is shaping up to be one of the most loaded fields in meet history, featuring an incredible lineup of talent.

Leading the way is Jane Hedengren, the current Nike Cross Nationals champion and a 4:35 miler. Hendengren's championship pedigree and impressive time put her among the favorites. Dylan McElhinney, a 4:42 miler and the reigning Millrose Games champion, will also be a top contender after her victory at Millrose.

Zariel Macchia, a 4:41 outdoor and 4:44 indoor miler, is another strong threat. Her versatility in both indoor and outdoor racing will serve her well here. Addison Ritzenhein, the Colorado state champion with a 4:42 mile, and Ellery Lincoln, a 4:40 miler and Oregon state champion, add more depth to the field.

Other contenders include Braelyn Combe (4:48), Libby Castelli (4:47 indoor), and Rylee Blade (4:48). Rounding out the elite group is Lily Alder, with a 4:40 outdoor and 4:45 indoor PR.

With so many top-tier athletes, the girls' mile promises to be a thrilling race.

The boys' DMR at Nike Indoor Nationals Indoor is shaping up to be a tightly contested race, with several of the country's top-ranked teams looking to claim the national title.

Haddonfield Memorial comes in as the U.S. #4 team with a season-best 10:11.61. They feature a strong middle-distance core, led by 1:56 800m runner Aaron Keith and 4:18 miler Benjamin Andrus.

North Rockland, ranked U.S. #8 with a time of 10:16.62, has a well-rounded squad featuring Ryan Tuohy (4:20 mile), Devon Piccone (4:30 1600m), and Claudel Chery, who has PR'd in every event from 1000m up to 2 miles this season. Their depth could prove key in a tactical race.

Episcopal Academy holds the U.S. #9 ranking with a time of 10:16.69. Their lineup is highlighted by 48.3 second 400m runner Abaas Hunter, 1:56 800m runner Kaleb Young and 4:14 miler Eli Engelman, giving them a strong chance to be in the mix late.

Colts Neck HS, ranked U.S. #11 at 10:17.27, brings one of the strongest anchors in the field in Cornell commit Hunter Celkupa, who boasts a 4:09 mile PR. If he gets the baton within striking distance, his closing speed could be a major factor.

With multiple teams packed closely together and several top-tier milers anchoring, this race is likely to come down to a dramatic final leg. Expect a fast pace, bold moves, and a thrilling finish.

The girls' Distance Medley Relay at Nike Indoor Nationals features some of the top teams in the country, with fierce competition across the board.

U.S. #5 Cornwall enters as the favorite with a time of 12:06.66. Led by 4:41 1500m runner Sophia Semo, they'll be a tough team to beat as they bring impressive depth and experience to the relay.

Santiago Corona from California, with 4:48 milers Rylee Blade and Braelyn Combe, will also be a formidable force. Their dynamic duo has the potential to make a big impact and could challenge the top teams for a podium spot. Last weekend their team ran U.S. #3 outdoors with a time of 11:55.93. 

The Colorado team, featuring Addison Ritzenhein, Anna Prok, and Elise Hagen, boasts incredible star power. Ritzenhein, a former NXN champion, is joined by Prok, a 4:56 miler, and Hagen a 5:04 miler. With three of the state's top distance runners, they'll be a strong contender in this loaded field.

The boys' pole vault at Nike Indoor Nationals will feature a highly anticipated showdown between two of the nation's best. Just weeks after setting U.S. #1 marks on the same day, Victor Oleson and Luke Beattie will go head-to-head in New York. Oleson currently holds the top spot with a vault of 17' 7.5", while Beattie sits just behind at 17' 7". Beattie is also the defending champion, while Oleson tied for third last year.

Joining them is Kendric Curry, who also tied for third a year ago. He returns with a season-best vault of 15' 6" and will look to improve on last year's performance of 16' 4" at NIN. With two national leaders and a returning podium finisher in the field, the competition promises to be intense, and it may take another record-breaking clearance to come away with the win.

The girls' high jump at Nike Indoor Nationals will showcase the top talent in the event, with the U.S. top three performers all going head-to-head.

Leading the way is U.S. #1 Kya Crooke, the only girl this season to clear 6' 0". Crooke is also the top returner from last year, where she finished as the runner-up with a jump of 5' 10.5". She remains undefeated in the high jump this season and will be looking to improve upon her impressive performances.

Lexi Boiardi, tied for the U.S. #2 mark, is another strong contender. The Pennsylvania state champion has been in top form, winning five straight high jump titles and improving her season best at each meet. With a PR of 5' 10", she's a serious threat to take the title. Brianna Rivers, also tied for the U.S. #2 mark with a season best of 5' 10", has been a consistent performer, winning multiple competitions with heights of 5' 9" and 5' 10".

Cali Bryant, tied for the U.S. #4 mark at 5' 9", will also be in the mix, bringing additional depth to an already stacked field.

With such a competitive lineup, the girls' high jump is poised to be a thrilling event.