Cheltenham set the SMR indoor state record this week (a result which I somehow missed the first time through), running 3:26.11 and getting a huge carry from Jon Lewis (1:51.3 reported split).
When Lewis ran his initial 1:52.8 against Ritz and the 4x4 dropped to 3:20, the potential for a legendary SMR was there, but a state record and #7 AT mark before February even begins is more than I could have predicted.
Keep in mind the record used to belong to Simon Gratz, a team that ended up winning the 4x8, 4x1 and 4x4 at the same state championships the following indoors (2006). The key piece there was Khaliff Featherstone, only a sophomore, who ran anchor on the two longer relays and key leg on the 4x1. He also anchored that record setting SMR indoors.
Lewis doesn't have quite the game breaking speed that Featherstone had, but he is a better 800m (as proven by his mind numbing 1:51.3 split) who still probably has room to drop with nationals still almost 2 months away. In theory, if Lewis decides to take a shot at either states or nationals, he could become the 5th different 800m indoor state record holder in the past 7 years!
The SMR 800m leg is arguably the most important relay leg in the sport, so having one of the best ever at that position immeaditley puts you in record territory. The state record is gone, so what of the national record?
The record listed is 3:24.69 from Muir in California, about 1.5 seconds faster than the Panthers ran this past weekend. That's a feasible amount of time to drop. The 200m legs were excellent (21 high and 22 low), but I get the feeling Chelt could swing the 400m leg (50.9 or so) down a bit by Nationals, the next logical time to run the SMR. I would certainly consider moving Brissett to the 400m leg. I have always felt you have to get your best talents on the longest possible legs and this relay is no exception.
What kind of splits could get you a record? Well 3:24.5 is 49.5-22.0-22.0-1:51.0, so play with the tenths how you like and you are within record range. It takes the right kind of day no doubt, but we could certainly see it happen.
O'Hara nearly got us a record last winter. Maybe this is the year we get over the hump. Good luck to the Cheltenham boys and congrats on your state record.
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