Girls Mile - Ryen Frazier US #1 4:39.84 in photo finish with Dani Jones
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It was a photo finish for seniors Ryen Frazier and Dani Jones in the inaugural High School Girls Mile at the Prefontaine Classic as Frazier took the win, 4:39.84 to 4:39.88.
We said it would take a sub-4:40 effort to win this race and it certainly did, as not one but two girls dipped under the barrier. Devin Clark of Smithson Valley, Texas can take credit for a hot early pace, as she took the field through 409 meters in 72 seconds. Clark, who did not even win her own state championship on the track this year, held on to the lead and passed through 800m in about 2:22 with two-time national champion Ryen Frazier of Ravenscroft, N.C. right with her. The field stretched to single file with Clark and Frazier followed by Stephanie Jenks of Linn-Mar, Iowa and Dani Jones of Desert Vista, Ariz. following.
At 1000m, Jordyn Colter, the Co. state record holder and U.S. No. 1 for 800m at 2:04.56, moved up on the outside shoulder of Jones, running mostly in the second lane and looking ready to strike. During the third lap, the pack shifted from single file to a large, crowded group at the bell lap. Frazier, the defending outdoor champion in the mile, took the lead at this point with Jones and Colter in hot pursuit. With 200m to go, Jones made a decisive move for the lead - or was it? Colter fell back, but Frazier was still there.
Christina Aragon of Billings, Mont., a 4:16 1500m talent, lurked in second-to-last for most of the race and started to rally around the final curve, picking up Colter with her, as the duo moved past Jenks. They did not have enough real estate left at this point to contend for the win as up front, Frazier trailed just a step behind Jones but leaned through the line to cross first, 4:39.84 to 4:39.88.
Ryen Frazier reflects on her US #1 4:39.88 mile performance.
Quick Takes:
- The two girls with arguably the most footspeed in the field in Jordyn Colter (2:04.56 800m) and Christina Aragon (4:16.36 1500m) ran much of the race in the back and/or in lane two. There's something to be said for having a kick at the end - but only if you're in position.
- Devin Clark finished last after leading through 1200m, but she does take away a nice new five-second personal record of 4:44.65 as consolation
- Remember Ryen Frazier? This is why. We haven't seen much from the NC State commit this spring, but this is the same girl who ran 4:41 indoors. She does not compete for her high school and so is much more rested than someone like Jones, who quadrupled at her state meet. She is just getting started on the post-season circuit of adidas Dream Mile/Brooks PR/New Balance Nationals and surely has big plans for all three.
- All 10 girls ran 4:44 or better! Is 2015 the deepest year ever for high school girls milers? Time to get the statmasters working on a new project...