What a debut for Alexandra Carlson!!!
In the first track and field meet of her college career, the freshman at Rutgers wasted no time making her presence felt with a breathtaking and electrifying victory in the mile in 4:43.36 to take down the school record at the Jim Green Invitational on Saturday at Nutter Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
Carlson's 4:43.46 smashed the 38-year-old Rutgers indoor record of 4:45.4 that Desiree Scott ran in Boston in January of 1984. Scott, inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Fame in 1997, qualified for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 3,000m and 5,000m.
Carlson, who starred at North Hunterdon High School, grabbed the lead with about 350-meter left in the 291m track, and then held off Kentucky senior Jenna Gearing (second in 4:43.40) to secure the historic victory. Carlson hit the first quarter in 68.4 and the half mile in 2:20 and change
The 4:43.36 by Carlson ranks her No. 3 in the Big Ten this season, and is currently the sixth fastest time in the nation.
The record-breaking performance by Carlson capped off a great double for her.
On Friday night, Carlson spilt 4:47 and change to anchor Rutgers to a third-place finish in the DMR in 11:41.07.
During her days at North Hunterdon High, Carlson ran a personal best of 4:51.75 in the 1,600m, placed third in the 1,600m at the Meet of Champions last June, ran 2:12.16 for 800, and she won the North Jersey, Section 2 Group 4 cross-country title.