In the 2013 edition of the Dash for Doobie, Ian Milder and Ben Huffman both ran 8:58 to become the first two to break 9 minutes in meet history. Megan Sullivan was able to lead 13 girls under the previous meet record, as the twelve of those thirteen broke the 11 minute mark. This years meet looks to be just as competitive, as the elite heats are filled with tremendous talent amongst North Carolina's finest runners. This year we have 7 heats of boys and 3 heats of girls to combine for the most athletes in event history.
Boys Elite Heat
Top returner, and seed is East Henderson's Tanis Baldwin, as he finished in 6th place running 9:12. Tanis put on a dominating display at the State Championships as he finished far ahead of anyone else who raced throughout the day. He's said all season that he want's Milder's meet record of 8:58.37, so you know he has his eyes set on a fast time. Nick Linder of Providence Day is your second fastest returner from 2013, as he finished 9th in 9:15. Having had a few weeks to prepare since his last race at the NCISAA State Championships he will be looking to stick his nose in it and go for the win. Other big names in this field is South View's Philip Hall, 4A runner-up Kyle Christ of West Johnston, and 1A State Champ Zach Boone from Mitchell. Hall holds the best PR in the field from last years Raleigh Relays where he ran 9:03. He looks to bounce back from an off day at the State Championships and to continue his dominance he's displayed on the track in past years. Christ has went from a good to an elite runner this cross country season. He currently holds a 9:28 PR, but will look to demolish that this weekend. He has displayed his toughness all year, and has proved that he is willing to hold onto any pace. Mitchell's Zach Boone doesn't get into competitice races too often, but when he does he always rises to the occasion. Running 9:06 at Raleigh Relays last year gives him the second fastest PR in the field. Can this 1A stud prove that he is the top runner in the state?
Kenny Kneisel of Mount Tabor could be a dark horse in this field. Coming off a third place finish from the 4A State Championships, and a guy who had tremendous success on the track last season, this race could be suited to see him have a break-out performance. He's proven he has no fear as he lead the 4A race through the mile. Also Jesse Carson's Zach Marchinko, and Weddington's Mitchell Resor are looking to demolish their current 3200 PR's which are 9:47, and 9:49 respectively. Also, Maiden's Corbin Boyle's ran his 3200 PR at this meet last year as he looks to break that this weekend. Ryan Speer of North Raleigh Christian Academy seems to have been injured all cross country season, but holds a 3200 PR of 9:24, so if healthy look for him to be competitive.
Girls Elite Heat
Ryen Frazier headlines this elite girls field. Her 10:25 full Two Mile PR puts her at the to of this elite field. Just last week she ran 16:44 at WakeMed at Three-Stripe Invitational amongst a field of college runners. We're gonna see how good of shape Ryen is in, as the reigning New Balance Nationals Mile Champion returns to the track as we will get to see if sub 10 minutes within reach. 4A State Champ Elly Henes of Green Hope is the top returner as she took third in 10:47 in 2013. She's been running better all season than last year, so we should expect her to go even faster than last year. Looking at the rest of the field, the race seems to be pretty wide open. Malia Ellington of Community School of Davidson has the next best 3200 PR in the field with her 10:30 from Raleigh Relays last year. 10 girls in the field have already crushed the 11 minute mark, as I'd expect more than that to do so on Saturday. Lily Anderson of TCR is coming off a 3rd place finish at the 4A State Meet. Grace Sullivan of Providence has great track speed, and will be looking for a fast 3200. Mary Prouty only has an 11:11 3200 PR, but should demolish that this weekend. You have your trio from Cardinal Gibbons, Megan Vaughn, who only holds a 3200 PR of 11:38, freshman Marissa Bishop, and Sophie Ebihara who came into form at the 3A State Meet as she finished second. Grimsley's Blair Ramsey had an incredible track season last year as she ran 4:57, could her track speed prevail her to the front of this field? And who can forget about Marvin Ridge's Lexi King, who won in 2012 as an eighth grader, she will look to finish at the front of this outstanding field. Last years girls field was the best in history of the meet, but could this years be even better?
