Photo Credit: John Nepolitan

The Columbia Challenge is one of the deepest and most competitive collegiate meets in the entire country. In addition to the high-quality NCAA action, this meet also features the Dr. Sander Invitational from 2pm to 4pm featuring many of America’s top professional athletes. One of the best races of the afternoon projects to be the Women’s 1000m, where Sage Hurta-Klecker will be targeting the American Record of 2:34.19 held by Jen Toomey, which has stood since 2004.

The Dr. Sander Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, January 28th at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory.

Hurta-Klecker was a two-time NCAA Champion while at the University of Colorado. After turning professional, she recorded a breakout year in 2022, first running a personal best in the mile of 4:25.45 at the Millrose Games. Outdoors, she broke two minutes in the 800m for the first time before repeating that feat on seven additional occasions, lowering her personal best to 1:57.85 in Monaco. Hurta-Klecker capped off her season by placing third in the Diamond League Final against many of the top middle-distance runners in the world.

Other athletes in the race to watch for include:

-Anna Camp Bennett, former NCAA Champion in the 1500m for BYU.

-Charlene Lipsey, former National Champion in the 1000m who reached the 800m final at the 2017 World Championships.

-Sophia Gorriaran, a high school standout and Olympic Trials qualifier at 800m who holds the HS National Record in the outdoor 600m.

Other athletes competing at the Dr. Sander Invitational include:

• Alicia Monson, Josette Norris, Courtney Wayment, Whittni Morgan, Katelyn Tuohy, Sinta Vissa, and Helen Schlactenhaufen in the Women’s Mile.

• Eric Holt, Drew Hunter, Shane Streich, and Rob Heppenstall in the Men’s Mile.

• Brittany Brown and prep sensation Shawnti Jackson in the Women’s 300 meters. Jackson recently ran 36.63 to break Sydney McLaughlin’s National HS Record of 36.82.

• Tokyo 2020 Olympians Marquis Dendy, and Quanesha Burks in the long jump, and JuVaughn Harrison, Darryl Sullivan, and Shelby McEwen in the high jump.

The Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge brings together top collegiate and professional talent in one high-level competition. Reserved seating is available for this meet, and can be purchased HERE.

The Armory hosts more than 100 track & field meets throughout the indoor season and for more information on all Armory Track events, visit https://www.armorytrack.org/ and https://www.armory.nyc

Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @armorynyc

About The Armory Foundation

The Armory Foundation is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season The Armory – the proud home of the Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase sponsored by KPMG and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Hispanic Games, the U.S. Army Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational, and The Armory Holiday Classic.  New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.org.