2003-2004

When the New Balance Games announced that there would be an elite 2-mile race this year and high schooler Galen Rupp was entered in hopes of being pulled along to an all time ranking high school time, Josh McDougal said, "What about me?" As a home schooled prep, McDougal is denied entry into most high school races in New York and has to scramble for competition.

McDougal's entry for New Balance was accepted, but most of the pre-meet hype was about Rupp's chances, with a transcontinental trip from Oregon, a prep race against collegians at the University of Arkansas the week before, and a Hall of Fame coach in Alberto Salazar.

As the New Balance men's elite 2 mile started, McDougal settled in behind Rupp, who was being cheered by two Hall of Famers -- Salazar and Frank Shorter -- and had designated rabbits to pull him along. The race went along this way for a mile and a half. But with three laps to go, things changed. Rupp visibly tired and lost ground from the leader. McDougal thought he had one move in him and he made it, sweeping past Rupp and widening the margin the rest of the way. They finished third and fourth, and both times were sensational for high school runners. McDougal's 8:50.40 tied Dathan Ritzenhein for 7th on Jack Shepard's all time list in HIGH SCHOOL TRACK. Rupp's 8:54.45 was good for 14th all time.

McDougal had clearly joined the elite ranks of high school runners when he finished fourth at the Foot Locker cross country nationals in San Diego in December. After his New Balance success, a writer asked him why he chose to attend Liberty University (instead of a major track school).

"Because it's a Christian school," McDougal answered.

Josh McDougal 's past performances:

2004 indoor

2003 cross country

2003 outdoor

2003 indoor

Nicole Blood didn't need to go for the Millrose Games automatic qualifier in the high school mile at the New Balance Games. As defending Millrose champion, Blood was already invited to this year's event.

So Blood, ace of Saratoga NY's famed distance corps, entered the women's elite mile at New Balance. Blood had no illusions of beating the likes of defending champion Hayley Tullet or 2002 champion Amy Rudolph, who are sub-4:30 milers. But she thought she would mix with the leaders long enough to be pulled to a personal record.

As it turned out, the leaders left Blood behind after one lap. Blood in turn gapped the weaker runners, so she was as alone as in any high school race the rest of the way. But she showed her maturity (as a sophomore, she is already a 4-year veteran of Saratoga's championship teams) by maintaining pace on her own and finished in 4:48.82, a personal best indoor or outdoor. That was fastest in the US this season. Blood also is US#1 in the 3000 and her Saratoga 4x800 and DMR relays are also US#1.

Next up for Blood is the Millrose Games high school mile (February 6 at Madison Square Garden), where she stands as the third fastest ever on her 4:52.00 victory last year over Ari Lambie and Katy Trotter. First two on the Millrose all time list are the top 2 in 1989 -- Sarah Schwald 4:49.94 and Saratoga's Cheri Goddard 4:50.33.

Nicole Blood's past performances:

2004 indoor

2003 cross country

2003 outdoor

2003 indoor