Where is she going next year? Florida? It seems like the natural choice. They have figured out how to fit in the elliptical in their program. In addition, she is already wearing the PV spikes, so…
She is committed to Indiana. She committed before her breakout. It seems some coaches may have shied away due to her injury history. If she keeps her injuries at bay she is going to be a good one.
She needs to go to Florida
Valby had success with the elliptical at Florida
Now Claire Stegall is having success with the elliptical
She is committed to Indiana. She committed before her breakout. It seems some coaches may have shied away due to her injury history. If she keeps her injuries at bay she is going to be a good one.
She needs to go to Florida
Valby had success with the elliptical at Florida
Now Claire Stegall is having success with the elliptical
Florida might have been a good fit.
Being taller, the Arc Trainer, instead of the elliptical, was Valby’s choice. But for better or worse, unlike on the elliptical, the upper rods on the Arc Trainer, (which the arms hold onto), rotate in the opposite direction to the natural running gate; I.e., on the Arc Trainer, the left arm goes forward with the left knee. This had folks wondering whether it was affecting Valby’s running mechanics.
You don't get it. Her injury history isn't the point. Thousands of girls over the years have had injuries or other health problems and then eventually got healthy again. Not one of them ever went from running 10:17 to running 9:37 in 6 weeks. Zang's unprecedented improvement is what people are asking about, not if she had health problems.
No see, you dont get it. When healthy, she's been incredible. Sub 17, low 10s. Two years ago.
No, she didn't run "low 10s" 2 years ago. The fastest she ever ran in her entire life until January, 2026 was 10:35. Don't make stuff up.
After seeing her run, I am predicting she will be the best female American runner over 5k ever.
Gonna be tough to do better than Hedengren though
yea this really puts a fine pint on janes record. National HS indoor record on fast indoor track is 10 sec PER 1600 slower than Janes outdoor record. yikes.
yea this really puts a fine pint on janes record. National HS indoor record on fast indoor track is 10 sec PER 1600 slower than Janes outdoor record. yikes.
Hedengren demolished the 2mile record at Arcadia in a time of 9:34.12
You don't get it. Her injury history isn't the point. Thousands of girls over the years have had injuries or other health problems and then eventually got healthy again. Not one of them ever went from running 10:17 to running 9:37 in 6 weeks. Zang's unprecedented improvement is what people are asking about, not if she had health problems.
Actually her injury history does explain it. In a June 7, 2025 interview on her instagram account, she stated she had been only been able to cross train (elliptical, no running) for 10 months.
This limited training was because of a stress fracture in XC in August 2024, and then IT band issues in Spring 2025 track. So she never got fully into shape in Spring 2025. She ran a 10:37 3200 time at the state meet June 7, 2025, close to her 10:35 PR, but said she could not run full speed due to IT band problems. Then in Fall 2025 XC, she was getting into good shape, but was still limited by some bronchitis mid-season. Then in the NXR qualifier she had anxiety and no sleep, and did not qualify to NXN. But she did win NB Running Lane XC. For the winter 2025/2026 season, there was no reason to go faster than 10:17 to win early races. This is why the 9:42 3200 might appear to be a big improvement over 10:17, but she was not running for a PR when that 10:17 was recorded.
It's clear that you don't know much about the rate that a high school girl can improve. You are just looking at one girl and imagining that her rate of improvement is reasonable. You have never studied other top high school girl runners so you have no idea of how fast a top girl can improve. You are just guessing that there is a reasonable explanation for Katy Zang's unprecedented performances the last 2 weeks.
You're really grasping at straws to make up an argument as to why going from being barely top 100 in the country in November to being the fastest girl of all time in March is reasonable. So she had some injuries and recovered from those injuries. So what? Thousands of girls have injury problems and then recover and start training hard again. That's not an explanation for how a girl breaks a long standing national record set by a girl who qualified for the World Championships.
Her performances at both NXR in November and RunningLane in December are consistent with a girl who can run somewhere around 10:17 on the track in January. That part is fine. But none of those 3 race results are remotely related in any way shape or form to a 9:42 in a 3200 5 weeks later, or a 9:37 2 mile the week after that. Anyone who claims that because she had some injuries that it's a reasonable rate of progress is someone who simply doesn't understand the sport of track very well.
Hedengren’s highschool breakout could also have been argued to be otherworldly at the time. She said she went to a doctor to get her back to feeling like her old self.
Hedengren’s highschool breakout could also have been argued to be otherworldly at the time. She said she went to a doctor to get her back to feeling like her old self.
Hedengren was top 10 all-time in the mile as a sophomore and top 10 all-time in the 2 mile halfway through her junior year. How are you not aware of that? Comparing Hedengren's progression and Zang's progression are 2 totally different things.
Hedengren’s highschool breakout could also have been argued to be otherworldly at the time. She said she went to a doctor to get her back to feeling like her old self.
Hedengren was top 10 all-time in the mile as a sophomore and top 10 all-time in the 2 mile halfway through her junior year. How are you not aware of that? Comparing Hedengren's progression and Zang's progression are 2 totally different things.
until she plateaued, thus the doctor’s visit to fix whatever was ailing her.
Where is she going next year? Florida? It seems like the natural choice. They have figured out how to fit in the elliptical in their program. In addition, she is already wearing the PV spikes, so…
She is committed to Indiana. She committed before her breakout. It seems some coaches may have shied away due to her injury history. If she keeps her injuries at bay she is going to be a good one.
Doubtful that coaches "shied away from her" for this or for that reason. She simply wasn't on anyone's radar. No one knew who she was. That's a good reason not to get noticed.
I high school, for as long as I've been following the sport, kids have breakthroughs for various reasons.
My impression is that she has a huge upside. Don't get so bent out of shape about it. Only time will tell.
Actually her injury history does explain it. In a June 7, 2025 interview on her instagram account, she stated she had been only been able to cross train (elliptical, no running) for 10 months.
This limited training was because of a stress fracture in XC in August 2024, and then IT band issues in Spring 2025 track. So she never got fully into shape in Spring 2025. She ran a 10:37 3200 time at the state meet June 7, 2025, close to her 10:35 PR, but said she could not run full speed due to IT band problems. Then in Fall 2025 XC, she was getting into good shape, but was still limited by some bronchitis mid-season. Then in the NXR qualifier she had anxiety and no sleep, and did not qualify to NXN. But she did win NB Running Lane XC. For the winter 2025/2026 season, there was no reason to go faster than 10:17 to win early races. This is why the 9:42 3200 might appear to be a big improvement over 10:17, but she was not running for a PR when that 10:17 was recorded.
It's clear that you don't know much about the rate that a high school girl can improve. You are just looking at one girl and imagining that her rate of improvement is reasonable. You have never studied other top high school girl runners so you have no idea of how fast a top girl can improve. You are just guessing that there is a reasonable explanation for Katy Zang's unprecedented performances the last 2 weeks.
You're really grasping at straws to make up an argument as to why going from being barely top 100 in the country in November to being the fastest girl of all time in March is reasonable. So she had some injuries and recovered from those injuries. So what? Thousands of girls have injury problems and then recover and start training hard again. That's not an explanation for how a girl breaks a long standing national record set by a girl who qualified for the World Championships.
Her performances at both NXR in November and RunningLane in December are consistent with a girl who can run somewhere around 10:17 on the track in January. That part is fine. But none of those 3 race results are remotely related in any way shape or form to a 9:42 in a 3200 5 weeks later, or a 9:37 2 mile the week after that. Anyone who claims that because she had some injuries that it's a reasonable rate of progress is someone who simply doesn't understand the sport of track very well.
I disagree. Having coached HS girls this innate extraordinary talent lurks right beneath the surface waiting for some development, no injuries, growth, strength all come together and you see the real deal. Its super rare to have this much talent, but if you do...it can rear up quickly. Sometimes this is as good as they get? But girls do this. She's talented, and got it all going at the right time. Look at Dudek's progression in 1 year. Nobody picked her, nobody when she was running mid to low 18s. 14 months later she runs 16:09. This is girls for ya.
She is committed to Indiana. She committed before her breakout. It seems some coaches may have shied away due to her injury history. If she keeps her injuries at bay she is going to be a good one.
Doubtful that coaches "shied away from her" for this or for that reason. She simply wasn't on anyone's radar. No one knew who she was. That's a good reason not to get noticed.
I high school, for as long as I've been following the sport, kids have breakthroughs for various reasons.
My impression is that she has a huge upside. Don't get so bent out of shape about it. Only time will tell.
I live in Ohio. Plenty of people knew who she was and what her potential is. With her injuries, though, there were others that got more attention and were speculated as being the next outstanding runner to come out of the state. Also, with NC State's Laurie Henes having Ohio roots and having a history of recruiting heavily out of Ohio, she undoubtedly knew about her.
Elena Aldrink, a Washington commit and who ran 16:13 in the 5000 at the NB meet, Sophia Szolosi, a Duke commit and 10:11, 4:48, Hanna Jicha, a Villanova commit, and Brooke Chapman, a NC State commit, are all considered to be peers of Zang and those runners, along with Zang, have been of the radars of knowledgeable track fans in the midwest since they all have been at least sophomores in high school. Zang didn't just come from "nowhere."
Also, not quite sure how you interpreted my previous post as getting "so bent out of shape." These are all just high school runners. Some will have great careers, some will have a great moment but settle into a role as primarily strong support runners, and some will have a moment and fade into obscurity. If they flourish and become great, that's great. If they don't, it is what it is. I'm not over the top like many are about these young women.
She is in the championship heat of the 1 mile. Her 2 mile was impressive but rules are rules. Not sure how a 5:02 or in the 1600 landed her a top seed in the championship. Bad look New Balance.
What rules?
This is not the NHSF, NCAA or USATF, AAU or a state meet; this meet is an invitational.
Actually her injury history does explain it. In a June 7, 2025 interview on her instagram account, she stated she had been only been able to cross train (elliptical, no running) for 10 months.
This limited training was because of a stress fracture in XC in August 2024, and then IT band issues in Spring 2025 track. So she never got fully into shape in Spring 2025. She ran a 10:37 3200 time at the state meet June 7, 2025, close to her 10:35 PR, but said she could not run full speed due to IT band problems. Then in Fall 2025 XC, she was getting into good shape, but was still limited by some bronchitis mid-season. Then in the NXR qualifier she had anxiety and no sleep, and did not qualify to NXN. But she did win NB Running Lane XC. For the winter 2025/2026 season, there was no reason to go faster than 10:17 to win early races. This is why the 9:42 3200 might appear to be a big improvement over 10:17, but she was not running for a PR when that 10:17 was recorded.
It's clear that you don't know much about the rate that a high school girl can improve. You are just looking at one girl and imagining that her rate of improvement is reasonable. You have never studied other top high school girl runners so you have no idea of how fast a top girl can improve. You are just guessing that there is a reasonable explanation for Katy Zang's unprecedented performances the last 2 weeks.
You're really grasping at straws to make up an argument as to why going from being barely top 100 in the country in November to being the fastest girl of all time in March is reasonable. So she had some injuries and recovered from those injuries. So what? Thousands of girls have injury problems and then recover and start training hard again. That's not an explanation for how a girl breaks a long standing national record set by a girl who qualified for the World Championships.
Her performances at both NXR in November and RunningLane in December are consistent with a girl who can run somewhere around 10:17 on the track in January. That part is fine. But none of those 3 race results are remotely related in any way shape or form to a 9:42 in a 3200 5 weeks later, or a 9:37 2 mile the week after that. Anyone who claims that because she had some injuries that it's a reasonable rate of progress is someone who simply doesn't understand the sport of track very well.
I'm 100% sure that you don't understand the sport very well. The real talents are out there, walking amount us. My Senior year of high school Craig Virgin broke Prefontaine's National record, running 8:40. The best high school runner I've ever seen was on my high school team, his name is George Brooks. We found out about him midway through the cross country season and convinced him to come out for the team. In just 3-4 weeks he ended up being 6th at State. In another time and different circumstances I'm positive he could've run 4:00/8:40 in high school. We got him to come out for a couple of weeks in track. Then he disappeared.
She is in the championship heat of the 1 mile. Her 2 mile was impressive but rules are rules. Not sure how a 5:02 or in the 1600 landed her a top seed in the championship. Bad look New Balance.
I saw that too. Completely unfair to the other 1 mile athletes. According to their own rules - projected marks aren’t accepted. She barely hit the qualification time. My daughter runs a 5:01 and is just in heat 7 of 13 and she has run faster mile.
Qualifying Rules Qualifying marks should be made in official meets using USATF or NFHS rules. Virtual meet marks are not accepted. Projected marks and time trial marks will be rejected. Dual meet marks are only acceptable if there is FAT and complete results available online and hand times/marks will not be accepted. If online results are not available, please consult with the meet director or timer of the meet your athlete qualified in to get results posted online. Our seeding committee will verify all marks using various online ranking sites. Whenever possible, please include the meet name, date, location and a link to the performance/result. Unless otherwise indicated (i.e. outdoor 2025 marks or XC qualifiers), all qualifying marks must have been achieved after November 1, 2025.
Both of you seem bitter. Who are your kids?
Zang ran 4:44 enroute in the 2 mile on Friday so her inclusion seems fair to me.
Zang ran 4:44 enroute in the 2 mile on Friday so her inclusion seems fair to me.
Definitely sounds like some bitter parents or athletes out there.
It is is wild to criticize New Balance because they consistently put on such high quality meets. Truly all the details are well thought out.
If they would have seeded Katy according to her original 1 Mile time (5:01?) that would have been fair on their end to do if they want...BUT the Championship 1 Mile was so much better with her in it (even if she hadn't won). After watching her run the 2 Mile, I immediately wondered what she could do in the 1 Mile and I am sure everyone else did as well. And she didn't disappoint. Furthermore, if she would have been in a lower heat (lets say 7 out of 13), I think she STILL would have won from that heat...Which would have wrecked the whole experience. She made the race way better and I am so glad that she chose New Balance and ended up doing the 1 mile!
For any haters...you just can't fake or cheat that sort of level of performance. She is talented, well trained, aggressive, and gritty. Look for faster times to come this spring - she will be the rabbit girls will be chasing in the 1 & 2 Mile for sure.
It's clear that you don't know much about the rate that a high school girl can improve. You are just looking at one girl and imagining that her rate of improvement is reasonable. You have never studied other top high school girl runners so you have no idea of how fast a top girl can improve. You are just guessing that there is a reasonable explanation for Katy Zang's unprecedented performances the last 2 weeks.
You're really grasping at straws to make up an argument as to why going from being barely top 100 in the country in November to being the fastest girl of all time in March is reasonable. So she had some injuries and recovered from those injuries. So what? Thousands of girls have injury problems and then recover and start training hard again. That's not an explanation for how a girl breaks a long standing national record set by a girl who qualified for the World Championships.
Her performances at both NXR in November and RunningLane in December are consistent with a girl who can run somewhere around 10:17 on the track in January. That part is fine. But none of those 3 race results are remotely related in any way shape or form to a 9:42 in a 3200 5 weeks later, or a 9:37 2 mile the week after that. Anyone who claims that because she had some injuries that it's a reasonable rate of progress is someone who simply doesn't understand the sport of track very well.
I'm 100% sure that you don't understand the sport very well. The real talents are out there, walking amount us. My Senior year of high school Craig Virgin broke Prefontaine's National record, running 8:40. The best high school runner I've ever seen was on my high school team, his name is George Brooks. We found out about him midway through the cross country season and convinced him to come out for the team. In just 3-4 weeks he ended up being 6th at State. In another time and different circumstances I'm positive he could've run 4:00/8:40 in high school. We got him to come out for a couple of weeks in track. Then he disappeared.
This teammate of yours did NOT break a long standing national record of someone who had set that record the same year they qualified for the WORLD Championships. Finishing 6th at a state meet, while very good, is not the same thing. You're using a false equivalent.
"Very good in one state" is NOT equal to "faster than a WORLD Championship finalist".
I'm 100% sure that you don't understand the sport very well. The real talents are out there, walking amount us. My Senior year of high school Craig Virgin broke Prefontaine's National record, running 8:40. The best high school runner I've ever seen was on my high school team, his name is George Brooks. We found out about him midway through the cross country season and convinced him to come out for the team. In just 3-4 weeks he ended up being 6th at State. In another time and different circumstances I'm positive he could've run 4:00/8:40 in high school. We got him to come out for a couple of weeks in track. Then he disappeared.
This teammate of yours did NOT break a long standing national record of someone who had set that record the same year they qualified for the WORLD Championships. Finishing 6th at a state meet, while very good, is not the same thing. You're using a false equivalent.
"Very good in one state" is NOT equal to "faster than a WORLD Championship finalist".
Settle down, son.. I never said it was the same. My teammate finished 6th in the state meet on three weeks of running. THREE WEEKS. Maybe the State meet was weak, right? No, the first two teams were ranked 4th and 6th in the country.
I used that example to show that there are huge talents who are and have walked among us without any of us knowing it. And there are huge talents who are walking among us right now, that no one has ever heard of. Because they've never even went out for xc or track.
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