Tuohy locks down Millrose qualifier with 4:43.62

By Brian Towey for DyeStat

NEW YORK -- Only four days removed from running a time of 9:05.26 in the 3,000 meters that ranks third all-time among prep athletes, North Rockland NY sophomore Katelyn Tuohy showed why she's been tough to beat.

Leading wire to wire in a field that included Northern PA' s Marlee Starliper, Tuohy eased to a 4:43.62 win Wednesday to clinch a Millrose Games Invitational Mile berth at the NYRR Millrose Games Trials.

Tuohy led the field through splits of 69 and 2:20, with FDR NY sophomore Sarah Trainor keeping her company, along with Starliper and Governor Livingston NJ sophomore Victoria Vanriele, before pulling away for the win.

Starliper' s controlled 4:49.18 for second was impressive, cinching the second automatic qualifying spot, while Trainor knocked 10 seconds off her PR with 4:54.48 for third.

"My legs were still a little tired from the 3K," Tuohy said. "I was just trying to run even splits."

Even so, she almost took down Nevada Mareno's national sophomore class record of 4:43.23 from 2015.

Tuohy concedes that Millrose is a meet that is a class apart.

"Millrose is definitely probably one of the most prestigious meets," Tuohy said. "People come to run there from a lot of different places, and professionals are there. It's pretty special."

Tuohy has targeted the Jan. 20 Virginia Showcase at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., to take a crack at Brie Oakley's national 5,000-meter record of 15:55.75.

"I'm really trying to break that record," Tuohy said. "Obviously my cross country times show that I'm capable of doing it."

Starliper was thrilled with her performance.

"I knew I was capable of it but I was surprised it happened this early in the season," Starliper said of her sub-4:50 run. "It makes me excited to see what I can do next."

Senior Liam Conway of Owen J. Roberts PA had envisioned running at Millrose since he was a freshman, and with a stunning 4:15.37 win, he'll be a part of it.

Voorhees NJ senior Chris Romero led the field through splits of 64 and 2:09, with Conway, St. Anthony's NY senior Mason Gatewood and Saratoga Springs NY junior Shea Weilbaker close behind.

Weilbaker made a break at 1,200 meters, seizing the lead, then Gatewood took it back. Weilbaker angled his way back in on the final backstretch, setting up an epic finish.

In the final turn Gatewood appeared to have the edge on Weilbaker. Then, out of nowhere appeared Conway, who, with a final spurt, darted out into Lane 4 for the win.

"I remember as a freshman and a sophomore these incredible milers running in the Millrose Trials," Conway said. "I said, 'I wish I could be one of them.' I never thought I'd actually achieve that goal."

Gatewood grabbed the second automatic qualifying spot in 4:15.80. Weilbaker was third in 4:15.88.

"Crossing the finish line was a feeling like nothing else," Conway said. "Especially at the Armory."

The East Orange Campus NJ 4x400 relay posted a US#1 time of 3:18.15. The relay consisting of Immyouri Etienne, Kishaun Richardson, Fayeson Carney and Akeem Lindo led a large group of relays qualifiers. 

Classical RI throwers Cheyenne Figueroa (48-1) and Jacob Furland (66-4) swept the weight throw competitions and also earned automatic qualifying spots.