Raleigh Relays 3200: Link 2nd - 9:16, Bethel 4th - 10:40, Buss under 11

At tonight's Raleigh Relays for the featured high school 3200 meter races in the middle of the collegiate meet, Blacksburg junior Nick Link (pictured right by Frank Locascio) put forth his best race of the track season this year indoors or outdoors with a runner-up personal best time of 9:16.18. An early season state leading performance by 15 seconds, Link had a nice rebound race at NC State after disappointing races at both the Group AA State Indoor Meet and New Balance Indoor Nationals following a solid regular season campaign during the indoor season. A state runner-up in cross country, Link hopes to compete for the Group AA 3200 state title this spring, but also has another year being only in 11th grade.

 

In the girls' race, 2011 Group AA cross country champion at 5000 meters and 2012 Group AAA indoor state champion at 1600 meters Carolyn Bethel showed herself to fit in nicely at the in between distance which she has won state titles at. Bethel dropped 23 seconds on her 3200 meter PR with a fourth place finish of 10:40.15. Joining Bethel under 11 minutes for the first time was Blacksburg senior Kate Buss, who has made her own remarkable improvements over the past two years to become her school's most consistent and top performing distance runner. Her junior year best 3200 meter performance came in the same race at Raleigh Relays last March with a 11:21.74 and fast forward 12 months late to find Buss running a time of 10:55.76 to place 10th in a loaded field.

 

Raleigh Relays HS 3200 Results: Boys - Girls