Of course they had to speed through preliminaries. There were, after all, more than 40 heats off 200s to take care of.
But, that's not really what we're talking about here. We're talking about real, live speed.
As in Arria Minor running 23.43 in 200 prelims and pulling three others--Dajaz Defrand, Maya Evans, and Kyairra Reigh--behind her in sub-25 times. This is on an indoor track, mind you.
As in Anna Hall smashing a 60 hurdles PR with an 8.83. And that, of course, wasn't even the #1 time going into this morning's semis. That honor belongs to Emily Sloan at 8.34.
As in Arria Minor leading another parade of nine girls to sub-8 60 meter times with a 7.42. And, there's a new runner-up this time. Start getting used to hearing the name Victoria Eversley. For now, though, Eversley has her work cut out for her trying to stay ahead of the likes of Sydnee Larkin and Taylor Watson in semis and finals.
As in Maya Evans' speed down the long jump runway that took here, after a few struggles with finding the board, to 19-7.75. Sydnee Larkin had some runway speed of her own and got second in 18-4.
Let me assure you, the girls didn't have all the fun.
Zion Gordon was back to his old 7.98 tricks, posting the top time in 60 hurdles prelims. He's set up nicely for a chance to break through that mark in semis, finals, or both. Kenney Broadnax of Texas had a nice PR of 8.09 in prelims and will be aiming to break through the 8 barrier himself today.
With Devin Cadena stepping out of the competition, Luc Andrada's 7.07 was the top time in boys 60 prelims. You can bet Andrada went to bed last night wondering if there's a way to shave .08 off of that mark today.
Zion Gordon and Cameron Harris were nipping at his heels with 7.10 and 7.12, respectively.
Both two miles went north of the border to Wyoming. Shane Henderson of Cheyenne South won the boys event in 10:11. A few cross country nightmares came back for some Colorado girls when Aubrey Frentheway ran away with the girls two mile in 11:26.28.
And, with not the least of the evening's accomplishments, the high jump title went to Anna Hall at 5-10. That's one inch off the top of the national leaderboard.
RESULTS | PHOTOS | FRIDAY RACE VIDEOS
LATE NOTE: As it turns out, there were some results reporting errors in the Girls 60 Meter Dash Prelims. Victoria Eversley was not among the top finishers in the event. See final results for corrected prelims results for the Girls 60.