Top athletes in West prepared for NB Boise

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Makena Morley, Elijah Armstrong and other athletes in the West will get one of their only chances to test their winter fitness and progress at the New Balance Boise Indoor. 

The meet, held on the campus of Boise State, will feature a smattering of elite performers across a wide range of events. 

Morley of Bigfork, Mont. and Armstrong of Pocatello, Idaho were both Foot Locker West champions and both third at the national finals. Both of them are entered in the mile and 2-mile and could be looking to place their names high on the national leader board. 

Sophomore sprint sensation Lauren Rain Williams is returning to Boise and is entered in the 60 and the 200. Another top athlete flying in from California is Reonna Collier, who is entered in the 60 hurdles and the 400 meters. 

 A pair of 13-foot pole vaulters from Arizona, Nicole Baker and Vanessa Davis, will renew their competition after meeting last year at the Arizona Division I state championships. 

Harrison Schrage, a junior from Oregon, is entered in the horizontal jumps. He's a 24-foot long jumper and 47-foot triple jumper. Also from Oregon is Danelle Woodcock, who is near the top of the entry lists in both the long jump and 60 and 200 dashes.

The distance events, particluarly the miles, could be very good. Morley will face Idaho state champion Emily Hamlin. Armstrong has tough mile competition coming from Michael Slagowski. 

Connor Ross from Nevada is the top entrant in the 400 and 800 meters. 

From Utah, the Davis boys and girls 4x800 relays will be in action and looking to put up strong performances.