Marshall hopes to learn from experience at Millrose

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

There are 19 high school events on the schedule for this week’s NYRR Millrose Games at The Armory in New York but the one prep athlete who will get a rare opportunity to race the pros is Myles Marshall.

The senior from Kingwood, Texas, World Youth Olympics gold medalist in the 800 meters last summer, is running in the 1,000 meters against the likes of Olympic bronze medalist Abdelaati Iguider of Morocco and American stars Duane Solomon and Eric Sowinski. High school record holder Robby Andrews is also hoping to get his career back on track with a strong performance Saturday.

Marshall had a rough outing in the high school mile last Saturday in Boston, running over his usual distance and running 4:24.28 in his first race since last summer.

It’s possible that Marshall used that race to shake off the cobwebs.

“There’s definitely some intimidation involved (running against pros),” Marshall said. “It’s early in the season but I’m hoping to learn something from the meet itself and have a good experience. I’ve got nothing to lose at this point.”

Marshall is the latest high school standout to get a chance like this. Two years ago Mary Cain ran in the women’s mile and broke the high school national record. Last year Alexa Efraimson got an opportunity to run in the same race.

Marshall, who ran 1:48.43 for 800 last year, is gearing up for a big senior season. He helped lead Kingwood to the Class 5A state title last year. And he will seek his third straight state title in the 800. Kingwood’s outdoor season begins the week after Millrose.

Marshall is also looking forward to the Texas Relay, already on the horizon March 25-28. He didn’t run there last year.

“We won the SMR and got fourth in the 4x4 (in 2013),” Marshall said. “I’m not sure what relays we’ll be running this year.”

Marshall originally committed to Penn State but then when he learned he had been accepted to Harvard he switched his choice about three weeks ago.