Cuthbertson NC, Union Catholic NJ Both Run 8:48 To Go Under National Record Time
By David Woods for DyeStat
BOSTON – There were too many fast boys, girls and teams not to finish off New Balance Nationals Indoor without a relay record.
Cuthbertson NC was aiming for a sweep of three distance relays but was gratified to smash the national prep record in the girls 4×800-meter relay Sunday.
“Heading into today, we kind of geared up our entire season for this 4×8,” Alyssa Preisano said. “And when it came down to it, it worked in our favor.”
Cuthbertson, running as Carolina Cavaliers, held off Union Catholic NJ. They became the two fastest teams ever: 8:48.02 and 8:48.86, respectively.
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Pioneer of Ann Arbor MI (Purple TC) set the previous record of 8:51.93 in last year’s New Balance Nationals Indoor in New York. Cuthbertson prefaced this victory by winning last year’s Nike Indoor Nationals in 8:59.85 at Staten Island, N.Y.
Cuthbertson legs were by Justine Preisano (2:14.17), Stella Kermes (2:12.10), Alyssa Preisano (2:13.30) and Charlotte Bell (2:08.47).
Bell held off Union Catholic’s Kaleigh Gunsiorowski, a Notre Dame signee who anchored in 2:08.75. Pace lights were set to the national record.
“I knew we’d be racing the light,” Bell said. “Then I looked up on the scoreboard and saw a girl right behind me. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ “
The same four girls won Friday’s distance medley relay and were narrowly second in Saturday’s 4xMile relay. Cuthbertson climbed to No. 4 all-time in the 4xMile.
“They’re versatile. They can all do it all,” said Dustin Allen, coach of both high school and club teams. “It’s kind of crazy to have all four of them together right now.”
Cuthbertson burnished a resume that includes 18 state team titles over seven years for boys and girls across cross country, indoor and outdoor track.
Montverde girls take 4×400
Elsewhere in relays:
>> With 200-meter record-holder Adaejah Hodge leading off in 56.84, Montverde FL won the 4×400 in 3:45.69, a US#1. Despite a dropped baton, Bullis FL was second in 3:47.75.
>> Montverde fared worse in the boys 4×400, in which a collision on the third leg knocked the Eagles out of contention. Seton Hall NJ was initially disqualified but was reinstated and finished first in 3:14.53. Fastest of 200 legs among 50 teams was a 46.57 anchor by freshman Quincy Wilson for Bullis MD, which was fifth in…
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