Nike Festival of MilesJun 1, 2015 by Taylor Dutch
Nike Festival of Miles Adds Grant Fisher to Professional Field
Nike Festival of Miles Adds Grant Fisher to Professional Field
Official Release from Nike Festival of Miles
SAINT LOUIS (MO), -- June 1, 2015 – The Festival of Miles Foundation has announced a late addition to this year’s Saint Louis Track Club Elite Men’s Mile field. Grand Blanc High School senior Grant Fisher, coming off a 4:00.28 for 1600 meters on Saturday, will compete against a field of professionals on Thursday night June 4 at the eighth annual Nike Festival of Miles to be held at Saint Louis University High School.
The Festival of Miles has seen sixteen total sub-four-minute-miles since 2009 and if Fisher can add to that list he will become just the seventh American high school student ever to break the magical barrier. The legendary Jim Ryun was the first to do it, way back in 1964. His high school best of 3:55.3 stood as the National Record for 36 years until Virginia's Alan Webb ran 3:53.43 in 2001. To become the third fastest ever, Fisher would have to dip under 3:59.38, and based on recent results, it certainly seems possible.
Fisher’s coach Mike Scannell was very pleased with his pupil’s record-breaking performance at Saturday’s Michigan State Meet where not only did Fisher run 4:00.28 for 1600 but also 4:01.66 for the full mile. State officials had set up a clock at the 1609 meter mark for the occasion.
“Grant ran really well at the state meet over the weekend and we're excited to come to The Nike Festival of Miles and toe the line,” Scannell said. “I'm happy he has this opportunity to race in such a great field.”
Fisher will have plenty of competition on Thursday, namely from former Festival of Miles Champions Jack Bolas and Jordan McNamara. Last year, McNamara set the meet record of 3:54.27. Other top competitors include Tommy Schmitz and top U.S. marathoners Aaron Braun and Tyler Pennel.
Fisher will not be the only high school athlete competing against the pros at Festival of Miles. Eureka (Mo) High School star Hannah Long will be running in the UMB Bank Women’s 800 meters. Long, who split 2:06 at the Missouri State Meet in the 4 x 800 meter relay, will face LaTavia Thomas who boasts a best of 1:59 and Lauren Wallace who won the 2015 USATF Indoor title at 1,000 meters.
Other Festival of Miles events include six high school all star races featuring athletes from 13 different States. Last year’s high school boys mile saw seven athletes break the 4:10 mark, making the race one of the top high school post-season miles in the country. The 2015 fields include Iowa stars Thomas Pollard and Stephanie Jenks in the boys and girls miles. Tennessee’s Carlton Orange and Illinois’ Michaela Hackbarth lead the 800 entries.
The Festival of Miles will be broadcast live on Flotrack.org beginning at 7:00pm CST on Thursday June 4. Tickets are available online at www.stlfestivalofmiles.com or at the gate. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the 2015 Festival of Miles athlete in need, Brian Ott, who has been battling cancer since the age of three. Since 2008, the Festival of Miles has raised more than $38,000 for local athletes in need.