Photos by Kyle Brazeil of MileSplit New York
Announced after the New Balance Games on Saturday, January 21st, three girls from Virginia earned their way into the Millrose Games high school mile field with either top two finishes at select Armory races this season or on time. This year's Millrose Games will be held Saturday, February 11th in a new location (previously at the Madison Square Garden) at the New York Armory. Earlier this season, Ocean Lakes senior Audrey Batzel earned her spot with a fourth place finish of 4:58.07 at the Hispanic Games on January 8th. Meanwhile, Foot Locker finalists Megan Moye of Cosby and Sophie Chase of Lake Braddock visited New York City last weekend for the final qualifier race for Millrose. Moye nearly was able to run away from the field for a the win before Laura Leff of West Genesse (NY) was able to catch her down the final stretch for a 4:48.96 win. Despite not getting the win, her second place effort was the second fastest indoor mile time ever by a Virginia high school prep behind only Sarah Bowman (4:46.79) of Fauquier. Her mile time of 4:49.36 from the New Balance Games converts to 4:47.68 for 1600 meters. Taking third in the race behind Moye was her rival Sophie Chase, who had beaten Moye in all four of their head-to-head races in cross country season. The Lake Braddock junior qualified by time for Millrose with her VA #12 all-time indoor performance of 4:55.79 last weekend at the Armory. One-fourth of the 12 runner high school girls' mile field for Millrose will be from the state of Virginia with Batzel, Chase, and Moye accepting their race invitations.
MILLROSE GAMES GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL MILE
1. Samantha Nadel — North Shore (N.Y.), 4:46.11
2. Laura Leff — West Genesee (N.Y.), 4:48.96
3. Mary Cain — Bronxville (N.Y.), 4:48.98
4. Megan Moye — Cosby (Va.), 4:49.36
5. Kelsey Margey — Friends Academy (N.Y.), 4:49.03
6. Rachel Paul — Sachem East (N.Y.), 4:52.95
7. Sophie Chase — Lake Braddock (Va.), 4:55.79
8. Audrey Batzel — Ocean Lakes (Va.), 4:58.06
9. Brianna Nerud — North Shore (N.Y.), 4:58.45
10. Tori Gerlach — Pennridge (Pa.), 4:58.67
11. Alexis Panisse — Benjamin Cardozo (N.Y.), 5:00.87
12. Maria Seykora — Notre Dame (Pa.), 5:01.09