Engelhardt records fastest U.S. high school-only girls Mile at Mt. SAC Relays
California prep star has sights set on sub-4:30 Mile
By Pete Marshall for DyeStat
WALNUT, Calif. – Ventura High of California junior Sadie Engelhardt is an attraction at any meet in which she competes.
And she sets out to break not just personal records, but meet and national all-time marks as well.
Such was the case Friday evening at the 64th Mt. SAC Relays presented by Nike, as Engelhardt not only shattered her meet record in the Mile with a time of 4:31.72, but also set a National High School Federation record in the process as well at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
Her performance was the fastest outdoor Mile and girls-only in U.S. prep history, eclipsing the 2018 mark of 4:33.87 achieved by Northland Rockland High of New York standout Katelyn Tuohy.
Only a 4:28.25 indoor Mile by former Bronxville High of New York phenom Mary Cain at the 2013 Millrose Games at the Armory in New York is a faster prep mark than Engelhardt.
The 1600 meter split of 4:29.86 for Engelhardt has only been bettered by former Huntington North High of Indiana standout Addy Wiley, who clocked 4:26.16 at a postseason outdoor meet in 2022 at Grand Valley State in Michigan.
Engelhardt took a sizable lead within the first 200 meters and easily prevailed against runner-up Chiara Dailey of La Jolla (4:48.47). Madeleine Gear of Foundation Christian Academy in Florida took third in 4:51.21, with junior Reena Hsieh of Arcadia High in California clocking 4:51.76 for fourth.
“My coach and I were talking about it before that I really needed to stay focused on the paces,” Engelhardt said. “I tried to stay as close to a 33-second 200 as possible on every 200. It was kind of like time-trial training mentality. It obviously helped having the crowd and everyone.”
But, with Engelhardt, there’s always a bigger goal in mind, especially after running 4:09.70 in the 1500 on March 16 at The TEN event sponsored by Sound Running at JSerra High.
“Obviously, going sub-4:30 (in the Mile) has always been a goal of mine,” she said.
CREDIT: Chuck Utash
