Photo by Steve Sutton
The 115th Millrose Games is finally here! The most iconic indoor track & field event in the world will take place this Saturday, February 11th at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. As always, the Millrose Games will feature top-quality competition at every level: Youth, High School, Collegiate, Professional, Open, and Masters.
With so many spectacular athletes in the building, it is a challenge just to know where to focus one’s attention. Ray Flynn, the Millrose Games Meet Director and Irish Record Holder in the Mile, is here to help with his top ten storylines for the afternoon.
RAY FLYNN’S TOP 10 STORYLINES:
1- Women’s 300m (5:16 PM). Abby Steiner has her eyes on the American Record of 35.71 after opening her season with a 50.59 400m in Arkansas. The World Record of 35.45, tied at Millrose in 2018 by Shaunae Miller-Uibo, is also within shouting distance. Jenna Prandini and Brittany Brown will look to challenge Steiner for the win.
2- Men’s 60m (4:23 PM). World record holder Christian Coleman is looking for his second straight Millrose victory. Standing in his way is Noah Lyles, 200m World Champion and one of the most electric athletes on the planet. This race is a true clash of titans.
3- Men’s and Women’s Shot Put (4:26 PM). Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs, the two best shot putters in the world, will renew their rivalry from the center of the infield once again. The women’s shot put returns to Millrose for the first time since 2003, and World Champion Chase Ealey is the one to beat.
4- Men’s 3000m (4:59 PM). This race is as deep as it gets. Geordie Beamish and Cooper Teare return after placing first and second last year, but the man in form is Woody Kincaid, fresh off an American Record in the 5000m. Olympic 1500m Bronze Medalist Josh Kerr may have the highest upside of anyone in the race. Joe Klecker, Luis Grijalva, and Nico Young all figure to contend as well in this absolutely loaded field.
5- Women’s Pole Vault (3:26 PM). This competition features the last two Olympic Gold Medalists, Katie Moon and Katerina Stefanidi. Will Moon continue her run of dominance over the past several years, or can Stefanidi return to the top?
6- Women’s 600m (5:31 PM). Ajee’ Wilson is the Queen of the Millrose Games. She is a seven-time Millrose winner, and she has won 14 straight races indoors and 17 straight at The Armory, with the latter streak dating back to 2013. Wilson is the second-fastest woman in history in this event outdoors, and she will certainly be looking for another fast time this weekend.
7- Women’s 3000m (4:38 PM). Alicia Monson is the star attraction in this race, and she may be chasing the American Record. Many others in the field will also be looking for fast times, including indoor 5000m American Record holder Elise Cranny, and collegiate sensation Katelyn Tuohy, who just set the NCAA record in the mile.
8- Women’s 60m (4:18 PM). Another incredibly deep race, with the top two 100m finishers at last year’s US Outdoor Championships in Melissa Jefferson and Aleia Hobbs, as well as the reigning Silver and Bronze Medalists at the World Indoor Championships in Mikiah Brisco and Marybeth Sant-Price.
9- High School Standouts. Multiple High School Records could go down at Millrose. Shawnti Jackson will be looking to lower her own 60m mark that she set at Millrose last year. Twin sisters Amanda Moll and Hana Moll are both capable of setting a new standard in the pole vault. Sub-four miler Connor Burns could go even faster in the Men’s Invitational Mile. Be sure to watch out for Sophia Gorriaran in the 600m as well.
And last but certainly not least:
10- The Rudin Wanamaker Miles (Women’s race 5:42 PM, Men’s race 5:51 PM). Laura Muir looks to set another mile record in the Big Apple after her performance at 5th Avenue last September. Her main challengers include Sinclaire Johnson, Jemma Reekie, and Josette Andrews.
On the men’s side, no fewer than four national records could be on the table. Defending champion Ollie Hoare will likely need to lower his own Australian Record to win, as Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker lead the way for the Americans. Mario Garcia Romo has a strong chance to take down the Spanish Record, and Sam Tanner may hope to do the same for New Zealand. With such quality and depth, the final race of the day could be one for the history books.
The Millrose Games is a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet. With the highest-level competition at the youth, high school, collegiate, club, and professional levels, there is truly something for everyone at the Millrose Games.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.millrosegames.org/
The Armory hosts more than 100 track & field meets throughout the indoor season and for more information on all Armory Track events, visit https://www.armorytrack.com and https://www.armory.nyc
Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @armorynyc.
Follow the Millrose Games on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @millrosegames.
Media planning to cover the Millrose Games can register for credentials by clicking on Credentials - 115th Millrose Games and filling out the request form.
About The Armory Foundation
The Armory Foundation is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of “Keeping Kids on Track.” Each season The Armory – the proud home of the Nike Track & Field Center, produces Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase sponsored by KPMG and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Hispanic Games, the U.S. Army Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational, and The Armory Holiday Classic. New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.org.
