Listing events in order of how much I'm looking forward to them
Salem Sports Men’s Mile – Cole Hocker will be looking the PR and possibly set a new world record in the indoor mile. But he will not be without competition as 16-year old Sam Ruthe is entered after running 3:48. Notable Nike athlete and Hocker’s training partner Cooper Teare is also entered.
Diagrad Family Wealth Men’s 800m – 17 year old Cooper Lutkenhaus will compete
against Brooks Beast Brandon Miller in the 800 meters. Can Lutkenhaus
improve on his opening 800m race at Dr. Sanders? I’m expecting a
new high school record.
ASICS Women’s 3000m – This race is absolutely loaded with Nikki Hiltz, Sinclaire
Johnson, Shelby Houlihan, Dorcus Ewoi, Gracie Morris, Dani Jones, and
Katelyn Tuohy. Hiltz is coming off a victory in the Wannamaker mile,
but it will be interesting to see what Ewoi and Houlihan can do.
ASICS Men’s 3000m – Hobbs Kessler is currently scheduled to compete in the 3000m,
just weeks after setting the world record in the 2000 meters. BUT Kessler is a little injured after the MIllrose Games, so his status is one to watch.
Small Batch Beer Women’s 800m – Sage Hurta-Klecker is coming off a great finish at
the 2025 World Athletics Championships and will compete against 2024
Olympians Nia Akins and Allie Wilson.
Camel City Men’s 800m – Local hero Craig Engels will take on Isaiah Jewitt and Shane
Cohen in the slow heat of the men’s 800m race. Engels is an absolute legend in Winston-Salem.
ASICS Women’s Mile – Olympian Emily Mackay will face off against the likes of Maggi
Congdon, Rachel McArthur, and Gabbi Jennings. Also there has been
chatter that Elle St-Pierre will enter this race after missing the
Millrose Games with sickness.
GEO Surfaces Women’s 5000m – Taylor Roe is the heavy favorite to win this one, but Katie
Izzo and Courtney Frerichs are also entered. Roe represented Team USA
in the 10k at the 2025 World Championships and is also the second
fastest half marathoner in US history. Izzo was runner-up in the USATF XC Championship.
ASICS Men’s 5000m – Drew Hunter will give it a shot in the 5000 meters. In 2025,
Hunter finished fourth at the 5000m at the USATF Outdoor
Championships.
Camel City Women’s 3000m - Angelina Napoleon will compete in the 3k after representing
Team USA at the 2025 World Championships.
Camel City Women’s Mile – Former high school American record holder Sadie Engelhardt
will try her hand in the indoor mile.
