Jordan Schilit's post-meet summary of the Showdown.
Hillsborough County accounted for numerous points in several events at the 2A, 3A, and 4A State Championship Meets, but the 800m distance was surely the basis of its rhythm. This county was home to three of the four individual State Champions in the open 800m -- Darrin Gibson (2A), Sean Obinwa (3A), and John Mitchell (4A). Also, for the first time in Hillsborough county history, three relay teams managed to win titles with sub-7:50 efforts: Tampa Jesuit (2A), Wharton (3A), and Sickles (4A).
Photo by Mark Smith
For past four years, Jordan Hasay, a senior at Mission Preparatory High School in San Louis Obispo, CA, has been the face of American high school distance running. After all, her credentials are endless: 2-time Footlocker National Champion, 4-time Footlocker West Regional Champion, 4-time California State Cross Country Champion, American High School Record holder in the 1500m, US #2 All-Time in the 3200m, and USATF Junior Olympics youth record holder in both the 1500m and 3000m. Yet with all her accolades, Jordan Hasay still feels she has not yet reached her full potential.
With more records to break and races to win, the 17-year-old high school senior still has improvement within reach during her last semester of high school. Furthermore, she recognizes that high school running provides us only a glimpse of the Jordan Hasay of four years from now. Read more...
It’s only the third week of racing for Florida outdoor track and field, but several runners from Tampa looked liked they were ready for the FHSAA Finals already. Tonight’s cool temperatures not only produced 7 runners eclipsing the 2-minute barrier for 800 meters, but also saw 3 school records go down and many PRs along the way.
I am one lucky intern. My first assignment for MileSplit US was to interview the newest on-the-rise runner our country has witnessed – Ryan Hall. I published the first part of the story on Friday night (https://fl.milesplit.com/
First, let me assure you that I will follow up with Ryan after he claims that American record. Second, more important, is the lesson that we can all learn from Ryan – that any race, regardless of the outcome, can provide inspiration and can improve one’s distance running career. After winning the Gasparilla 15K this past weekend, he remarked, “Marathon training is kind of hit or miss with the races. Sometimes you hit ‘em, sometimes they’re tough. Today was pretty solid; I was happy with everything.” Certainly, Ryan’s positive focus, despite winning the race but not attaining the American record, has been a key factor in enabling him to develop into a world class distance runner.
It’s the 21st century: the mile is “in.” Well, who wouldn’t want to be the next Jim Ryun or Steve Scott or Alan Webb, especially if his high school PR is 4:02.62? But what if that runner had the courage to say “No,” realizing that he may be stronger in other areas of distance running?
Ryan Hall, a 26-year-old Stanford graduate, recently told me that he has “joined the club” of a different group of distance runners. The humble phenom realized that after disappointing collegiate performances in the 800m and 1500m, maybe the role of a middle-distance runner would be more fitting for some other individual. “I wanted the pride from excelling at a more prestigious event, such as the mile, but I wouldn’t realize my true strengths until after I had failed.”