National Scholastic Athletics Foundation

Efraimson photo by Joy Kamani from 2013 World Youth Champs

No question, the buzziest storyline for the 2014 Arcadia Invitational (meet home page) is whether or not Alexa Efraimson (Camas, WA junior) can break Kim Mortensen’s 1996 national record in the 3,200 of 9:48.59.  The topic has generally dominated the prep track and field web sites the past few weeks and deservedly so.  There are many reasons to be excited and intrigued about Efraimson and this event.

1. The metric factor: The 8-lap outdoor record for girls’ is a truly a 3,200 mark.  Whereas the other boys’ and girls’ national records over 4 and 8 laps have come at the mile or 2-mile distances, this one is truly a “metric” mark.  No 2-mile mark has ever matched up.

2. The Arcadia factor: While the boys’ 3,200 is typically the most loaded event in the meet (and this year is no exception), the girls’ race at the distance has always been strong as well.  Whereas the boys’ race has had different winners every year, the girls’ 3,200 here has been recently dominated by California legends Jordan Hasay (Mission Prep, Class of 2009) and Sarah Baxter (Simi Valley, senior), who have won six of past seven years.  Baxter’s three-year streak, incidentally, is on the line here.  In any case, a record and/or historically deep finish would put this event in the same conversation as the boys’ race.  The only time that really happened before was in the great Hasay-Christine Babcock duel in 2008.

3. The depth factor:  Adding to the stature of the girls’ 3,200 is the fact that not only does the race have a potential record-breaker at the top, but it could also be one of the deepest 8-lap races ever.  Part of that is due simply to the recruitment of a strong out-of-state field, that includes new Alaskan 10:17 performer Allie Ostrander (Kenia, junior), Simplot champ Makena Morley (Bigfork, MT junior), 2013 Great American champ Hannah Long (Eureka, MO junior), and Utah superstars Sarah Feeny and Lucy Biles – just to name a few.  But it’s also, more significantly due to the amazing explosion out of the gate by the Golden State’s top stars.  Anna Maxwell (San Lorenzo Valley, senior) started it with a 10:11.77 on March 7, then came the stunning “tie” by Baxter and fast-rising star Bethan Knights at the March 29 Mt. Carmel meet as both clocked 10:07.52.  Never have three girls run 10:11 or better outdoors in March in California.  This race is loaded like never before.

4.  The Efraimison factor:  Finally, there is Efraimson herself.  In this golden age of girls’ prep distance running, Mary Cain (“Cainsanity,” as it were) last year captured the nation’s attention with a year-long string of records and other great performances.  This year, with Cain still in school but becoming a pro, Efraimson – a year younger – has herself taken what was already an ultra-elite game to the next level.  After impressing mightily in XC with an unbeaten campaign that culminated in an epic NXN win over Baxter and Elise Cranny, Efraimson simply blew us away with a 9:00.16 3,000-meter in January on the oversized oval at U of Washington – the fastest prep girls 3k ever run in any conditions.  A 4:32.15 mile at Millrose and a meet record NBNI mile title have followed.  Not insignificantly, it’s a delight to many track fans that Efraimson has continued to race high school races, whereas Cain did not in 2013.

A history-making star at the top of her game, arguably the best and deepest regular-season field ever, the perfect meet and venue, and the pursuit of a unique and long-standing mark in prep distance history ... it’s a perfect storm and fans can’t wait to see what will unfold Saturday night in the Arcadia girls 3,200.