Leap Of The Week: Marlena Preigh

Marlena Preigh dropped four-seconds off her 800 PR to run a state-leading 2:10.

Four-seconds is a long way in the 800.

That's the difference between watching the victor cross the line from nearly 30-meters back, or running clear of the field, as in the case of Marlena Preigh's victory at the No-Name Invitational. 

Nearly a year ago Preigh finished seventh at the state championships in the 800 in a personal best of 2:14.30. A year earlier - her freshman year - she had never dipped under 2:20, but this year the junior has run herself onto a new level.

Preigh had run only one 800 this outdoor season, a modest 2:16, which ranked her within the top-5 in 5A, but she turned the tables this past weekend.

Preigh ran a state-leading 2:10.79 this past weekend. She went from a No. 9 ranking in all-classifications to No. 1.

Now that's a leap.

Have an athlete who has made a big improvement and should be the 'Leap of the Week?' Email me at breyes@milesplit.com each Monday following their performance.