Results | Photos
Natalie Dumas of Eastern Regional, who sent the track and field world into a frenzy last spring, ran the second fastest time in the nation this season in her first 800-meter race of the campaign at Saturday's Marine Corps Holiday Classic at the New York Armory.
Dumas, who won the 400m-hurdles, the 800m, and the 400m at the New Balance Nationals last spring, stopped the clock at 2:07.73 to win the 2-lapper. That time is just off the indoor PR of 2:07.68 that Dumas ran to place 5th at the Nike Nationals last March on this track.
As a junior last June, Dumas solidified her status as a high school legend when she ran an NJ record 2:00.11 in the 800m, a state record 51.14 in the 400m, and a NJ No. 2 all-time 55.99 in the 400m hurdles when she threw down her electrifying triple at New Balance Nationals. No woman in the history of the world has run that fast in those 3 races combined.
The splits on Saturday for Dumas, who was in complete control of the race the whole way, were 31.57, 30.66 (1:02.23), 32.41 (1:34.65), and 33.07.
Dumas, who opened her season by winning the 1600m in 5:10.88 on Dec. 22 at Ocean Breeze, led 5 runners under 2:14 and 9 under 2:20.
Abby Robisky of Union Catholic was second in 2:11.37, the fifth fastest time in NJ history for a freshman and the fastest time by a freshman in the country this season. Sophia Thompson of Union Catholic was third in 2:11.48, Marella Virmani of River Hill in Maryland was fourth in 2:13.57, and Amaris Pope of Elizabeth Seton in Maryland was fifth in 2:13.63.
