The Union Catholic girls refused to let it happen again.
Fueled by its runner-up finish at the New Balance Indoor National Championships, defending champion Union Catholic got the revenge it was seeking by reversing that outcome by producing an electrifying and meet-record smashing victory over Cuthbertson of North Carolina in a Clash of Titans in the 4×800-meter relay at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships late Friday night at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
The eagerly awaited showdown lived up to the hype as UC and Cuthbertson waged an epic duel that wasn’t decided until the final homestretch when Peyton Hollis slammed on the gas and blasted by Charlotte Bell with about 100m to go. Hollis completed a masterful 2:07.96 anchor carry by charging across the line with her arms in the air, stopping the clock at 8:47.08 to give the Vikings their second straight title! Bell, who also anchored for Cuthbertson at the NB Indoor Championships, split 2:08.60 and brought her team across second in 8:48.16.
UC’s wining time of 8:47.08 is just off its NJ state record and U.S No. 2 all-time 8:44.98 that it ran to win the 4×800 Championship of America race at the Penn Relays in April on this same track, and a little short of its biggest target, the national record of 8:43.12, which was set in 2008 by Roosevelt (MD).
UC’s victory avenged its loss at the NB Indoor Championships when Cuthbertson ran a national indoor record 8:48.02 to edge UC, second in 8:48.66, No. 2 in U.S. indoor history.
The race developed as expected with UC and Cuthbertson trading shots every step of the way..
Maameyaa Nyinah, who is headed to North Carolina, led off for UC with a 2:14.03 and handed off to freshman Jimmiea King in third-place, just a few meters behind Cuthbertson, who received a 2:13.29 from Justine Preisano to take the lead.
King, the only UC runner not on the 4×800 national championship team last year, got out fast and quickly bolted to the lead, splitting 2:13.89 to give UC a five-meter lead at the second exchange. Stella Kermes ran 2:15.28 on her leg for Cuthbertson.
Notre Dame-bound Kaleigh Gunsiorowski then took over for UC and cranked out a 2:11.21 to maintain a very slim lead over Cuthbertson, who received a 2:11.01 third carry from Alyssa Preisano.
Hollis, who will be a senior this fall, got the stick a couple strides ahead of Bell, who surged to the front just before the 200m mark. But Hollis, who ran the second leg at the NB Indoor Championships, stayed right on Bell’s shoulder and remained patient before unleashing her wicked kick to seal the deal for UC.
