GIRLS' 800m, MILE
These two races could certainly produced some nationally-ranked times. In both races, Newton South's Clare Martin will be the favorite. Martin has been on fire lately, peaking at just the right time to shine in a few weeks at the nationals. Last week, she ran an all-time and state best of 4:51 in the mile at the divisionals. She's also a 2:09 half-miler with a season-best of 2:09.91 from the Loucks Games last month. She'll be matched against talented rival Rachel Sessa of Tewksbury in both races. Sessa is the defending champion in the mile where she ran her PB of 4:53.94. She was also the runner-up to Natick's Grace Connolly at the indoor states this past winter. She knows how to race in the big meets. We'll be able to tell early if the two will be running for a fast time or relying on a tactical approach to conserve some energy for the 800m, which will be about 15 minutes later. If the duo take it out hard a low 4:50 effort (or faster) is a possibility. Wellesley's Margaret Donahue and Littleton's Sarah Roffman are among those that could be pushing the pace early. It could be Sessa and Martin again in the 800m. Sessa ran her all-time best of 2:14.17 last week after competing in the mile. Martin clocked 2:14.88 after her record-run in the four-lapper. Don't be surprised to see Connolly in the mix. She competed in the 800m last week at the divisionals for one of the first times and won with a 2:17.56 effort. As she has demonstrated already, Connolly is a competitor and will certainly try and battle up front. We expect her to improve on that time considerably this weekend.