Roisin MF Willis - 1:59.13 u20 World Champion

She will finish her career with a faster PB than Mu. Willis got cut off really bad in that race w/ 200m left and had done all of the work pacing (also tired from rounds). In the right race with a rabbit, she's in 1:57 shape right now.

What are her PBS at 400m, 1500m, etc.?

I believe that's her 1st sub2, plus she will attend Stanford, let's not jump the shark here.

Whittaker running the whole race in lane 2. I don’t know her enough to say if that’s her usual strategy but I would not be surprised if she did in fact run the fastest 800 in this field, but was running a 810m race instead of an 800.

Congrats to Willis, she took the lead, relying only on herself, and was never afraid. That 27 first 200 may indicate she can run extremely fast in a well paced race.

The future looks bright for american women middle distance running.

Whittaker still ran a great race and finished 3rd by the way.

Both Wilis and Whittaker are 2 generational talents that would have beat everyone in the ncaa final last year. They are going to be a force at Standford. Wilis is the classic 4/8 runner and Whittaker the classic 8/15 runner.

she looked great in the semi and the final. went out strong, took the lead and didnt let up in either race. Whittaker seemed to let the traffic get to her in both races and then didnt have a kick. the Swiss kid looked good with the pass but Willis chased her back down with such confidence and strength. I believe this makes Whittaker and Willis the two fastest ever if this still counts for high school times. they certainly will both immediately be the fastest on the college level since no collegiate runner broke 2. Stanford better enjoy it for as long as they can keep them around...

Relax Mu ran 1:55 at 19.

Totally agree. Just bad tactics/luck re positioning. Was definitely more than 810 she ran.
Also couldn’t stand the horrible male announcer who was pronouncing her DOA in the semi saying she looked like she was struggling, and the he then kept referencing his own pronouncement in the final. I watched the semi. She looked damn strong and showed no sign of struggling. Couldn’t help but think he just didn’t want her to win for whatever reason or wanted to create drama where there was none.

British commentators always talk down the Americans and talk about The British athletes. Ives who he was gloating about was like 7th in the final

25.17, 53.23, 4:43.6 (1600)

wi.milesplit.com

Roisin Willis - Stats

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Willis has been strong to the end in every race of hers I can think of...remember when she beat Mu in the Indoor 800 when Mu was a junior (and the US 600 m champ)?

I agree! And set collegiate records in both the 400 and 800 as an 18 year old. Only turned 19 a couple months before winning Olympic Gold x 2. 48.3 split in the 4x4! Definitely rooting for Willis and Whitaker to do well - they are amazing athletes - but so over this “on to the next big thing”mentality so many seem to have. Mu on a totally different level.

Sure. And then Ali Ince did the same to her when she was a junior. chased her down in the final 50 much to everyones shock. But Willis has looked great since then. Especially this season. Losing to a record breaking Whittaker in the US U20 final was hardly a set back. Otherwise shes been dominant. and that strong finish is even more fun to watch when she runs the 400. You better have 30 feet on her or look out. she doesnt tie up like so many 400 only runners do. Two years in a row at Brooks PR she came from out of the picture to hundredths of a second from winning in the last 100. Seems like if she finds a little more speed earlier she could be tough to beat in the quarter too.

Willis is 17. She is faster than Mu was at this age.

Yes, Willis is outstanding. But Mu was undertrained in high school. Willis won't be running 49.5 or 1:55.0 next year.

But Willis and Whittaker have a shot at Mu's college record in the 800.

Does not matter. By the way, Mu broke the American indoor record in the 600 as a 16 year old HS junior in a time that projects out to a 1:58 low 800. The talent was always there. Her senior year of HS track got wiped out by the pandemic in 2020. But she made a great college choice in Texas A&M. It’s called 800U for a reason.

Did Mu win indoor nationals her junior year of HS? NO. She got beat by 14 year old Roisin Willis.

Willis is undertrained as well. Her mom, a 5k/10k Olympian, has been really patient with her.

Willis might have Ajee Wilson and Raevyn Rogers level of talent, which is impressive.

But Athing Mu will go down as the greatest 800 runner in history. As good as Willis is, she won't be as good as Mu.