Matt Centrowitz Edges Out Nick Willis at Millrose for 4th Fastest Mile Ever
Matt Centrowitz Edges Out Nick Willis at Millrose for 4th Fastest Mile Ever
Matt Centrowitz proved dominant over Nick Willis in a much-anticipated rematch at the Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile. The World silver medalist claimed the v
3:50.63 for @MattCentrowitz pic.twitter.com/yBpEBHHCHl
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) February 20, 2016
.@MattCentrowitz winning in fast 3:50.63!! #4 all-time!! Fastest mile since Rupp's 3:50.92 in '13. Willis #7 all-time 3:51.06 #MillroseGames
— Ryan Fenton (@ryanmfenton) February 20, 2016
“Anytime I race Nick I need to be on my game,” Centrowitz said following his victory.
The Nike Oregon Project athlete was definitely “on his game” Saturday at the Armory when he closed in an astounding 54.02 seconds to claim the win over New Zealand Olympian Willis who finished in 3:51.06.
Centrowitz’s performance is the fourth-fastest mile ever run indoors as his mark falls behind all-time greats Hicham El Geurrouj (3:48.45), Eamonn Coghlan (3:49.78) and Bernard Lagat (3:49.89). Willis’ performance lands as the ninth-best indoor mile mark all-time, ahead of now Flynn Sports agent Ray Flynn.
British Olympian Chris O’Hare followed for third in a new personal best of 3:52.91 and Worlds finalist Robby Andrews closed for a four-second PR of 3:53.16. Cory Leslie of Furman Elite finished in fifth (3:53.87), Brooks Beast Garrett Heath closed for sixth in 3:55.10, former Montana State All American Cristian Soratos finished in seventh (3:56.05) and Oregon All American Blake Haney closed for a three-second personal best of 3:56.36.
Drew Hunter Improves National Record With 3:57
After breaking Alan Webb’s high school indoor mile record two weeks ago at the Armory Track Invitational, Drew Hunter returned to lower the mark from 3:58 to 3:57. His fourth-place finish in the “B” heat of the men’s mile Saturday afternoon was closed in a blazing 56-second final 400m to finish just behind Penn’s Tommy Awad in 3:57.81.
Drew Hunter breaks national mile record AGAIN! Play by play recap of #MillroseGames race: https://t.co/8x6JxyuryG pic.twitter.com/9IGoxAAckG
— MileSplit US (@milesplit) February 20, 2016
Betsy Saina Out-Kicks Molly Huddle to Run 14:57 5K
In an ultra-competitive women’s distance race, Bowerman Track Club’s Betsy Saina held off American record-holder Molly Huddle to win the Millrose Games 5K in 14:57.18 to Huddle’s 14:57.31. The performance is Saina’s best time on an indoor track (she ran 14:39 in the 2014 Monaco Diamond League meet) by 24 seconds. Saina, Huddle and third-place finisher Emily Infeld were forced to run around other competitors in the final laps of the 200m track, but still led five women under 15:07. World Championships competitor Marielle Hall closed for fourth in 15:06 while 1500m NCAA Champion Shelby Houlihan threw down a 43-second personal best to claim fifth overall in 15:06.
.@bcsaina (14:57.18) and @MollyHuddle (14:57.31) after a very competitive 5k! #NYRRMillroseGames pic.twitter.com/cIAQPIVI1s
— NYRR Millrose Games (@MillroseGames) February 20, 2016
Ryan Hill Out-Leans Hassan Mead in Wire-To-Wire 3K
The Bowerman Track Club crew continued to roll out as Worlds finalist Ryan Hill threw down a 26-second final 200m to out-kick Hassan Mead in the men’s 3K.
7:38.82! for @RyanHillNCState pic.twitter.com/30vC57dyb7
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) February 20, 2016
Hill closed in 7:38.82 while Oregon Track Club’s Mead crossed the line just behind him in 7:38.85. Both runners ran the top marks in the world so far this year and led a pack of standout performances, including the second-fastest 3000m in NCAA history as Oregon’s Edward Cheserek finished sixth in 7:40.51. The nine-time NCAA Champion’s race falls just behind Arkansas seven-time NCAA Champion Alistair Cragg’s time of 7:38.59.
Edward Cheserek finishes sixth in the 3,000 in 7:40.51. That's the second fastest time in NCAA history! #GoDucks
— Oregon Track & Field (@OregonTF) February 20, 2016
Shannon Rowbury Becomes Repeat Wanamaker Mile Champion
In her second consecutive Wanamaker Mile victory, 1500m American record-holder Shannon Rowbury ran her way to a 4:24.39 winning time at the Armory. The performance is the third-fastest time in the world this year, behind new world record-holder Genzebe Dibaba and Gudaf Tsegay.
When you capture your second consecutive @nyrr Wanamaker Mile title! @ShannonRowbury: 4:24.39 #NYRRMillroseGames pic.twitter.com/nZuMXVZyjJ
— NYRR Millrose Games (@MillroseGames) February 20, 2016
The Nike Oregon Project athlete was targeting the American record of 4:20, but missed the mark slightly. She was however, two seconds away from her indoor mile personal best and led five women under the 4:28 mark.
Ajee Wilson Three-Peats, Raevyn Rogers Runs No. 2 Fastest NCAA Time Ever
20-year-old Ajee Wilson continued to run beyond her years as the adidas athlete claimed her third Millrose Games title in a winning time of 2:00.09.
Another @ArmoryNYC victory for @AjeeW! She hits 2:00.09 with @bmartrun running 2:00.14 and @lroesler5 going 2:00.49! pic.twitter.com/GSuatjeOSu
— NYRR Millrose Games (@MillroseGames) February 20, 2016
In an exciting battle to the finish, Wilson edged out World bronze medalist Brenda Martinez for the victory with a 1-2 finish of 2:00.09 and 2:00.14, the two fastest times in the world this year. The performances helped lead Oregon sophomore Raevyn Rogers to the second-fastest indoor 800m in NCAA history. The NCAA 800m Champion finished right behind former teammate Laura Roesler (2:00.49) to claim fourth overall in 2:00.90. The time is No. 2 on the NCAA indoor all-time list, right behind former Tennessee standout Nicole Cook’s mark of 2:00.75.
A little Deja Vu! Raevyn Rogers sets a school record in the 800 and runs the second fastest time in NCAA history! 2:00.90! #GoDucks
— Oregon Track & Field (@OregonTF) February 20, 2016