Foot Locker champion Ashley Brasovan is defending champ in NIN two-mile
(Photo by John Herzog)
With less than two weeks to go, the staff of the NSSF released their second press release for Nike Team Nationals. The release provides previews of their girls two-mile field and boys pole vault field, registration deadlines, their first-time usage of electronic starting blocks and few more topics.
NIN Update
The Nation's Premier High School Indoor National Event
Only two weeks before the Big Meet
NIN Regular Registration Deadline Looms
Sunday, March 2nd, Midnight PST
Don't wait...enter now. Avoid the late fees and register & pay on time. Remember, you must pay the entry fees for your entry to be complete and accepted. Click here for all information including hotels, schedules, past results, etc.
NIN Preview #2
Earlier this week we previewed the Boys Two-Mile Run and the Girls Pole Vault. Here's our Preview #2 based on current entries.
Girls Two-Mile Run
This is a sort of Foot Locker Nationals reunion led by 2007 Foot Locker Indoor 2 Mile champ, Ashley Brasovan (Wellington, West Palm Beach, FL). Ashley won the event last year in 10:25.41 and has an outdoor best of 10:17.45. The current U.S. leader at 10:30.41, Emily Jones (Broomfield, MA) has tentatively committed pending resolution of a minor injury. The surprise Eastern States 2 Mile winner, Kate McCafferty (Oak Knoll, Summit, NJ) entered earlier in the Mile, has switched to this event. She ran a U.S. #2 mark at the Easterns (10:32.73) almost lapping the field.
Last year's runner-up, Emily Infeld (Beaumont, Cleveland Heights, OH) who opened this year with a 10:41.79 (3200m) and the 2007 Nike Outdoor Nationals Mile champ, Stephanie Morgan (Barnesville, OH) will push the pace. Morgan's solo indoor effort this year was an impressive 10:40.60 3200m. Also hoping to be in contention will be Kayla Hale (Holy Trinity, Melbourne, FL) winner of the 3000m (9:59.87) at the inaugural Gainesville Invitational in February, and Emily Lipari (Roslyn, NY), the Bishop Laughlin Games 2 Mile champ at 10:43.49. New Jersey champ Melanie Thompson (Voorhees, Glen Gardner, NJ) -m10:42.82 and Foot Locker finalist Brittany Koziara (Boone, Orlando, FL) round out a stellar field.
Boys Pole Vault
This is always a feature event and this year's version will not disappoint. The vast majority of "16 footers" will be competing, led by Corey Shank (Canterbury School, Fort Wayne, IN) who cleared 17' as a sophomore last year. Just behind him in the entries are Joe Wesley (Marine City, MI), recent Michigan state champion with a best of 16-10.25 and Scott Houston (Western Guilford, Greensboro, NC) that state's record holder indoors and out at 16-10. Other 16 footers include Maine state champion and record holder, David Slovenski (Brunswick, ME) at 16-2.5. Jason Pelletier (Norman, AR) 16-0 and junior Codi Mattrix (Seranic, MI) 16-0.
NIN to Use Electronic Starting Blocks
For the first time in any high school event, electronic starting blocks will be used at the 2008 Nike Indoor Nationals.
The starting blocks are tied into the electronic timing system and can guage if an athlete leaves the blocks too soon. If so, an automatic recall will occur. The system has been used at U.S. Junior and Senior Championships and international meets, but has never before been used at a high school event in the United States.
Aside from eliminating any question concerning false starts, an athlete's reaction time is registered and can be included in the results of the races.
Big Shoe Give-away at Nike Indoor Nationals
Coaches...sign up for the Nike Web Nationals at the Nike retail area at NIN and receive a FREE! pair of Nike shoes!...that's right, FREE! More details on the 2008 Nike Web Nationals coming soon.
SETS, our FREE clinic at NIN - Friday night from 7-9 p.m. Don't miss it. Full details on our website next week.
Athlete's Party...Big surprises in store. Check out the full 411 next week.
###