Armory Track Invitational

The Armory Track Invitational looks to be one of the best meets in the country this weekend, for high school elites through the pros. (Watch on NBCSN from 4:30 to 6:30).

Let’s start with possibly the most competitive and most likely record-setting race of the weekend, the elite DMR. There are rumors this race will be an attempt at the Indoors DMR world record (9:25.97 by Texas in 2008), if not the overall record as well. These records will most likely be challenged by the teams from the US and Kenya, as well as NJ-NY Track Club, Ireland, Duke, Princeton, Villanova, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Columbia. The US is led by none other than Matthew Centrowitz on a suspected 1600 leg. A lineup of Casey, Berry, and Eric Sowinski should precede him putting him close to record pace. However, the real team to watch for is the Kenyans. Their lineup is stacked, regardless of where they place their legs. With Nkanata at 400, and the trio of Lalang, Mutai, and Kipketer on the true distance legs, I suspect this team will be the true contenders for records this weekend.

On the college scene, Duke, Villanova and Princeton are the clear favorites to emerge as the top university. Villanova has yet to show their pieces this year in this event, but I suspect that we will see a monster anchor leg from Patrick Tiernan to bring home this Philly school. Ben Malone may also appear for a 1200 or 800 leg, but it is yet to be seen as their lineup has not been announced. Princeton on the other hand, has attempted a very fast relay at 10 flat with Garrett O’Toole and Luke Brahm at the longer distance legs. Just remember that the 10 flat is especially impressive when 3 of the legs also ran a 7:25 4x8 that day. The last team to mention is Duke. Duke has run 10:03 this season, without using PA alum, Nate McClafferty who has already dropped a 4:03 mile. Also in their arsenal are PA 800 stars Kunzweiler and Francis. While their appearance in a world class DMR may not come up this year, the future is bright with these athletes in the ACC.

And, before I go to predictions, I guess I would be a horrible reporter if I didn’t mention that Mississippi has 4 milers in the top 16 in the nation currently.

In other races this weekend, Galen Rupp jumps down to the mile to race teammate Cam Levins, Liam Boylan-Pett, Chris O’Hare, and my Penn teammate Thomas Awad. This race should be for leg speed for the Nike Oregon Project team before USATF Indoors in March. I suspect that Rupp will run away with the win here, but expect a myriad of sub 4 minute times from O’Hare, Levins and a few of the other pros.

In the Men’s Two mile, we also expect to see Rupp and Levins leading the way for NIKE OP. Reed Connor and Trevor Dunbar may come to surprise as new pros adjusting to from college, but we know that they both have some major distance legs and could come to surprise a tiring Rupp. Wouldn’t bank on that though.

For the women, Mary Cain, Ajee Wilson and Laura Roesler should be the head of the field in the 800m. While I personally love Mary Cain’s speed, I believe she is better suited for the mile indoors where her kick is more impressive. Roesler is another collegian turn pro, so we should look to see her establish herself with a top 3 finish at the Armory. My prediction for this race though is that Ajee’ Wilson takes the title home for Adidas. Another thing of note in this race is the youth of the top 3. Roesler, Wilson, and Cain are among the future (and current) leaders of American distance running and will be for most likely the next decade.

Finally, the women will take on the Two Mile as well. This race appears to be a three person race just like the 800, with NIKE OP teammates Jordan Hasay and Treniere Moser taking on multiple time Ivy League and NCAA champion Abbey D’Agostino. With possibly a little Ivy League bias, I see D’Agostino taking the win followed closely by Hasay. After having to spend so much energy racing for Dartmouth last year, I suspect D’Agostino will see even more individual success as she gets to focus solely on her own accomplishments and tailor a schedule that fits her exact needs.




TV Schedule:
Women's Two Mile 4:48
Men's One Mile 5:12
Women's 800m 5:24
Men's Two Mile 5:44
Men's DMR 6:17