Throughout the week, RI MileSplit will feature some of the top athletes that will be competing at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championships this weekend (March 13-15),
Eliza Rego, La Salle Academy
Eliza goes into the nationals with a lot of momentum. She won her first two individual state titles last month with victories in the 1,500-meter run and 1,000m. The following week, Eliza set a meet mark in the mile run at the New England Championships where she clocked a six-second best of 4:52.83, a time that ranks her sixth nationally. The Ram junior is entered in the mile as well as the 4x1 mile relay, two events she has a chance to finish among the top six. Based on what she did at the New England meet, which she won by nearly four seconds, Eliza has potential to break the state record in the mile with a sub 4:50 effort at the nationals. If she does that, she could medal. North Carolina's Ryen Frazier of Ravenscroft is the overwhelming favorite based on her PB of 4:41.56 done back in January. She will be tough to beat and will more than likely build a good lead on the rest of the competition by the time she reaches the midway point. Eliza will need to stay in the chase pack behind the potential front-running Frazier to have a chance of finishing in the top three.Don't count her out!
