1. Team Jamaica Times 2 vs USA in Round 2
(Girls 4x400)
Last year it took 3:39 to win the indoor national title, this year it could take a 3:36 or faster to win the VA Showcase gold. Entering the competition, Hydel of Jamaica will be the overwhelming favorites on paper with their 3:33.99 outdoor best last year. They return their entire top five just like The Bullis school does.
Then you also have St. Jago who were the runners-up at Penn with a 3:36 last April and their 52 leg returning. Simply put, there could be three teams under the 3:38 World Junior Record on January 19th!
Following them and all seeded within the top five in the entire country are likely going to be Western Branch (3:43), Franklin (3:45), Southeast Raleigh (3:46), and Pickerington Central (3:47) in our estimations currently. That means a sub 3:50 team could be left out of the top section in this race... something you don't even see happen at Nationals.
Last year Team USA went 1-2 against Jamaica but this year the tables could very well be turned on the Red, White, & Blue.