. . . because Blair Bartlett/NJ is taking dead aim at Mary's 9:38.68 from 2013 at today's (2/14) The Circuit NYC meet in The Armory.
Here is the relevant portion of Doug Binder's recent article on Dyestat:
One week after an historic solo effort in the 3,200 meters, New Jersey standout Blair Bartlett is taking aim at the national high school record in the 2-mile.
Bartlett, a junior from Lawrenceville School NJ, who placed 16th in the U20 women’s race at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Fla. in early January, ran a time of 9:42.38 (Ed note: approx 9:45.8 for 2 miles) last week at the MAPL Indoor Championships.
Bartlett, who won last week's race by nearly three minutes, will have help with the pace and a more competitive field as she pursues the national record of 9:38.68 by Mary Cain in 2013.
Bartlett sits at No. 5 on the all-time list with her 3,200 meters conversion. Ahead of her are Cain, Jane Hedengren (9:40.88) (Ed note: converted from 9:37.50/3200 alt), Elizabeth Leachman (9:44.16) and Natalie Cook (9:44.44).
A tennis player-turned-runner, Bartlett finished third in the girls mile at the Millrose Games on Feb. 1.
Already we've seen hs sr Jaelyn Williams/CA run 9:07/3000 @ BU in an attempt to break Alexa Efraimson's 9:00.16 indoor records (all conditions) from 2014.
If not today for Bartlett, then possibly NIN or NBIN next month for her or Williams or Dudek.