Each January the best athletes in the nation all meet up in Virginia Beach to try their shot at state, national, and U20 world records. They are pushed by the very best in front of the largest crowd at any invitational all year long.
This year the VA Showcase will be back and as good as ever. In seven years of this meet a staggering 14 national records have fallen and over 150 US #1 performances have been set. This January 12-14th you can expect the same and you can catch it all live on FloSports!
Honestly, there are too many races and elite athletes to cover them all so here we are just giving you the slightest of previews for the biggest races and names we know about so far.
Here are the top athletes currently slated to compete: Avery Lewis (PA), Michelle Smith (FL), Alivia Williams (FL), Alyssa Banales (TX), Samantha Ennin (TX), Caitlyn Johnson (TX), Aleesa Samuels (FL), Antwan Hughes (NC), Brianna Selby (VA), Quincy Wilson (MD), Adaejah Hodge (FL), Elise Cooper (MD), Sydney Sutton (MD), Josie Donelson (OR), Skyler Franklin (FL), Tyler Lowe (FL), and Mia Brahe-Pedersen (OR)
Here are some of the top races:
1. The USATF Girls 4x400m Relay.
This race will feature club teams from Montverde Academy (FL), Lake Oswego (OR), and Bullis School (MD). The current national record is 3:38.91 set back in 2004 and is the oldest relay record on the books for boys or girls. This race could see as many as six different girls split 52!
2. The Boys Sprint Medley Relay
For far too long this relay has been all about the 800m leg, this time around though the sprinters are going to set the pace. Mainly, The Bullis School and Montverde Academy who both have 46 second 400m legs in their back pockets and 1:52's on the 800 legs. Don't be surprised if they hand off to the 800m leg with the clock at 1:32... or in other terms faster than most 4x2's.
3. The USATF Girls 300m Dash
Last year we saw the first Sydney McLaughlin national record to be broken with Shawnti Jackson running 36.63 in the 300. This year, could the record go down? Seriously though, that is a legit record and we wouldn't even hint at that record falling unless we knew the athletes are capable. This race will be headlined Adaejah Hodge, Elise Cooper, Sydney Sutton, and Josie Donelson.
4. The USATF Girls 200m Dash
If you thought they are going to get out hard in the 300, just wait until you see the 200m dash between national champion Brianna Selby, national champion Skyler Franklin, and Olympic Trials finalist Mia Brahe-Pedersen.
5. The Boys 500m Dash
Right now it looks like three boys are entered at 1:04 or faster and the leading runner is none other than Quincy Wilson. This is the first year he has transitioned from playing football to only track and that should lead to some scary fast times. The meet record, which is also the national record, is in serious jeopardy in this race.
6. The Boys 4x200m Relay
In the history of this meet 30 teams have dipped under 1:30 and it has always taken 1:28 or faster to win. This year, the meet and national record of 1:25.60 might just fall. Oscar Smith ran 1:26.01 and IMG Academy ran 1:26.06 last year and both teams return all their major hitters. This race is going to be loud, exciting, and potentially record breaking.
7. The Girls 4x800m Relay
Last year they chased the record and fell just short, this year they are back to lower their own national record. That is right, Cuthbertson (NC) is back and as good as ever. This race could have solid competition if a couple other VA/MD/NC teams enter so we will have to wait and see.
Registration is open on MileSplit until January 7th at 11:00pm EST. Registration page