The writing is on the wall, the 4x1 national record is going down and the entire top 25 list is getting rewritten this year. Bullis of Maryland will be the favorites for this record but they certainly have their hands full with Western Branch and Nansemond River.
Here is our biggest reasoning for why this all-time list is getting blown up this year. If you looked at the indoor 4x200 just a couple years ago it was a huge deal to break 1:40, let alone run 1:38. Now a days though it isn't a shock to see a team break 1:37 and the bar of excellence continues to rise.
Bullis took it to another level this year when they ran a U20 World Record twice this season and finished with a 1:34.75. Team War went US #3 all-time and Branch went US #9 all-time.
That will be the case this year in the 4x100 which has a record of 44.50 and just nine teams under 45.00 all-time. Bullis is on that list but at 6th all-time (44.88) they have a lot of room for improvement. Both Nansemond (Team War) and Branch are close behind as well. Expect all three teams to break 45 this season.
Though Bullis may be the unstoppable force they are not the only team in contention. Both Nansemond River and Branch have yet to show their full hand in a relay and that could spell a very fast quartet. Though they did begin to show us some strength at nationals they both have unique situations.
For Western Branch it is the fact that Shadajah Ballard and Jessica Tucker are both more of 100 runners than 200 runners, that difference could spell a big drop in time. For Nansemond the big change will be having their full squad at full strength yet again. They spent most of the indoor season at 75% and ran a 1:36 at 85%.
Historically speaking breaking 45 is a huge deal, this year though, that all changes.