Girls' Mile - Large School
As of now, the top five times in the country in this event are 4:56 or faster with sophomore Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland (NY) holding the top spot with her 4:43.62 clocking from her win at the Millrose Games Trials on Jan. 10. We don't expect that time to be touched this year and certainly feel she'll drop more seconds from that outstanding effort. But MA could sneak at least two in that top-five list once the weekend is finished. Sunday's race features top seed Grace Connolly of Natick, who has done 4:52. We expect her to be challenged by Acton-Boxborough's Samantha Friborg, who won the 800m at the Yale Track Classic this past weekend in a nation-leading 2:10.26. If both these runners are on their game and toe the line with fresh legs, a sub 4:55 effort is possible on the banked oval of Reggie Lewis. There's also Newton South's Lucy Jenks, who will be looking to break five minutes for the first time in her young career. We'll know early if a low 4:50 is possible. If the opening 400m is hit in the low 70-second range by the leaders, we know they're ready to roar on Sunday.