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In what will long be remembered as one of the best 1600 meter races in PA high school history, West Mifflin senior Mike Booth not only beat Ian Fitzgerald in a head-to-head duel, but the meet record of one Sam Bair of Shaler. Booth's 4:07.77, and Fitzgerald's 4:08.37 are the 2nd and 3rd PA high school times under 4:10 this season, following Chris Spooner\'s winning mile at the Penn Relays.
Fitzgerald immediately went to the front and set the pace, hoping to run 4:08. Booth tucked in behind for two laps, and had his sights set on a PR of 4:12. He passed Fitzgerald after the 600 meter mark "because he has better leg speed than me, and I just couldn\'t wait for him to use it." But use it he did, and Fitzgerald almost caught Booth at the line. When Booth looked up, expected to see 4:12, and was shocked at the 4:07 on the clock. His splits were 62.5, 63.1, 61.8 and 60.3. |