Women's Mile Delivers Incredible Race, Tuohy Takes Down Jenny Simpon's Collegiate Mile Record At Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

John Nepolitan Photos

Pros Alicia Monson and Whittni Morgan, and North Carolina State's Katelyn Tuohy, broke away from the field in the women's mile on Saturday at The Armory and provided one the highlights of the weekend at the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge. 

Monson, of On Athletics Club, drove the pace. Morgan was close behind. And Tuohy, making her return to The Armory for the first time since high school, seemed ready to pounce. 

All three maintained composure and speed through the final laps of a sensational race. Tuohy moved past Morgan with 500 meters left and took a run at Monson with 200 left but couldn't get past her. 

Monson, a member of Team USA last summer in the 10,000 meters, held the lead to the finish line and ran U.S. No. 8 all-time in the mile with 4:23.55. Morgan, of adidas, kicked back into second and finished with U.S. No. 9 all-time 4:23.97.

And Tuohy, already a two-time NCAA champion, broke into a smile after crossing the line in 4:24.26 -- breaking Jenny Simpson's collegiate record by more than a second and a half (4:25.91). 

RESULTS/VIDEOS

There was intrigue around the women's 1,000 meters and a possible record assault there.

Sage Hurta-Klecker went out at American record pace (2:34.19 by Jen Toomey in 2004) and had a big lead with 400 meters to go. Late entry Ajee' Wilson chopped the lead down over the final two laps and passed Hurta-Klecker to take the win in 2:35.97. Hurta-Klecker settled for second with 2:36.37.

Sophia Gorriaran of Moses Brown RI ran to fourth place in 2:39.87, which bumped her up to No. 2 on the all-time list behind Juliette Whittaker's 2:39.41 from 2022.

Drew Hunter of Tinman Elite, who broke four minutes for the first time on The Armory track in 2016 as a high school senior, won the men's invitational mile in 3:55.57. Eric Holt was second in 3:56.58. 

High school star Shawnti Jackson (South Granville NC) won the women's invitational 300 meters in 36.73 seconds, the second-fastest time in prep history behind her own 36.63 earlier this month. 

Kahmari Montgomery of Nike won the men's 300 meters in 33.19 seconds. 

Anass Essayi from South Carolina, from Morocco, ran the second-fastest collegiate time in the 3,000 meters this season with his meet record 7:41.93. 

Former Colorado runner Madison Boreman won the women's 3,000 meters in 8:50.89 and was one of three women to dip under nine minutes. 

UCLA freshman Michael Pinckney, making a return to his hometown (High School of Construction in Queens), nearly broke the U.S. U20 record in the weight throw with a personal best 72-4 (22.05m), good for the seventh-best mark in the NCAA this season. 

Nike's Shelby McEwen won the men's high jump with 7-2.50 (2.20m).

Rhesa Foster edged out Quanesha Burks by two inches to win the women's long jump with 21-8 (6.60m). Burks jumped 21-6 (6.55m).