Recap: Dr. Sander events serve to tee up NYRR Millrose Games

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The Dr. Sander Invitational Armory Challenge (and Columbia Challenge) served as a fitting run-up to the NYRR Millrose Games coming a week later. 

The combination of events, weaving together elite high school, college and professional competition is part of what makes The Armory track such a scene this time of year.

From an American record 1:32.67 set by Deajah Stevens, Daina Harper, Kyra Jefferson and Asha Ruth in the women's 4x200 to handful of new US#1 high school marks, and large group of college athletes in action, the meet had just about everything.

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Karissa Schweizer of Missouri, the reigning NCAA indoor champion in the 5,000 meters, was happy to score a new personal best in the women's mile. She was third in 4:27.54. 

"(I gained) some really good experience just with speed and looking at my kick at the end of races," Schweizer said. "(It) gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I can run this time."

Kate Van Buskirk ran 4:26.92 to win the mile mile and Rachel Schneider of Under Armour (4:27.30) was second. 

Gabrielle Thomas of Harvard ran 23.04 to beat the Oregon duo of Lauren Rain Williams (23.53) and Ariana Washington (23.73) in a very fast 200.

Courtney Okolo of Nike ran 51.89 to win the womem's 400 meters. Shakima Wimbley (52.11) was second.

Ajee' Wilson ran 2:00.90 to win the 800, beating Natoya Goule (2:01.07).

Lauren Paquette of Brooks won the women's 3,000 meters in 8:53.09.

Oregon, with a lineup of Briyahna DesRosiers, Hannah Waller, Shae Anderson and Makenzie Dunmore, broke its meet record in the 4x400 relay with 3:32.92.

Alyssa Wilson returned to The Armory for the first time since her record-breaking senior year of high school and won the women's shot put competition for UCLA with a mark of 54-11.50 (16.75m).

Amina Smith from the Garden State Track Club won the women's high jump at 6-1.25 (1.86m).

Hanifah Abdulqadir of South Carolina won the women's triple jump with a meet record 43-4.25 (13.21m).

Sade Olatoye of Ohio State won the women's weight throw with a meet record 70-4.25 (21.44m).

Ryan Whiting threw 65-7 to win the men's shot put.

Izaiah Brown of Rutgers led a 1-2 finish in the men's 400 meters for the Scarlet Knights, running 47.37. Trinidad Olympian Lalonde Gordon won the professional race in 47.07.

Eric Sowinski won the men's 800 meters in 1:46.98. 

Craig Engels of the Nike Oregon Project won the men's mile in 3:57.35. In the two fastest heats a total of four Oregon Ducks dipped under four minutes -- Mick Stanovsek, Reed Brown, Cooper Teare and Sam Prakel. Brown and Teare are freshmen.

Reid Buchanan of Sketchers won the men's 3,000 meters in 7:51.98. 

Ohio State won the men's 4x400 relay in 3:12.26.

Zack Bazile of Ohio State won the long jump with 25-2.75 and also the triple jump (51-5.50).

Team Champions - 

Armory Challenge -- Syracuse women 58 points, Texas A&M-Kingsville 68 points

Columbia Challege -- Oregon women 125 points, Oregon men 132 points