Cambridge Christian School junior Mary Ellen Eudaly had a big breakthrough race on Friday night at the first ever Tampa Bay Private Schools Championships.
After becoming the FHSAA 4A state runner-up at 1600 meters as a freshman in 2019 (4:54) and running 4:55 for the full mile winning the Golden South Classic, Eudaly had yet to break 5 minutes since with her season-best at 5:04 from a win at the Bolles Bulldog Classic earlier this month.
With her teammate and Florida indoor state two-mile record holder Caroline Lehman helping pace and push her, Eudaly was able to fight thru a windy evening throughout the state (as experienced on the Florida East Coast at Set Goals No Limits Distance Showcase) to chop seven seconds off her personal best in a remarkable 4:47 effort.
Lehman was able to hold on and finish with a solid time herself given the conditions and situation in 4:54 for second place. Eudaly's time is not only the fastest time run in the state of Florida this season but third fastest nationally for the 2021 outdoor season.
Eudaly and Lehman doubled back to go 1-2 in the 800 meter run as well with times of 2:16 and 2:18 respectively. They will be heading up to North Carolina next weekend to race in the Dash for Doobie 3200 meter races, which will be live-streamed here on MileSplit.com. They potentially could chase after running close to the state leading and state record best of 10:10 by Winter Springs junior Caroline Wells.
In other top performances from the meet, Calvary Christian sophomore Sophie Haag continues to impress in the sprints lowering her personal best and school record down in the 100-meter dash to 12.10 along with a 200-meter victory as well. Her teammate Meredith Adams completely dominated and swept all three throwing events in the shot put, discus, and javelin.
The boys 3200 saw a great combined effort between Berkeley Prep teammates Ethan Lipham at 9:27 and Kirin Karver at 9:30 to run fast times in the wind.
Berkeley Prep swept the team titles as well for both boys and girls among the 16 squads in attendance.