Bullis Teams Looking To Fly Out Of The Gate At NBNI

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The big bold letters that read Bullis across the track and field uniforms carry a certain power for the athletes of the private school from Potomac, Md. 

"They are almost like the bull at the rodeo behind the gate," head track and field coach Joe Lee said of his athletes. "And when that gate opens, look out cowboy." 

Opponents and record books are officially on notice. The Bullis boys and girls track and field teams are ready to hit the ground running hard this weekend at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Track and Field Championships at The Armory in New York. 

NBNI ENTRIES | LIVE WEBCAST INFO

 "We're at that place where we are ready to open the gate," Lee said. 

Considering what Bullis has already accomplished this winter, that's a scary thought.

To recap, in January the boys 4x200- and 4x400-meter relay teams broke national records in both events at The Virginia Showcase. The 4x400 clocked 3:12.53, breaking a 10-year-old record, with the 4x200 squad running 1:25.60 to shatter Long Beach Poly CA's 2005 time of 1:26.09. This weekend, those squads might have the fitness and ability to go even lower.

The 4x200 will feature an all-star lineup of Andre Turay, Jay Pendarvis, Ashton Allen and Ryan Willie. 

"The objective is to do our best. If we get a record, that's even better," Lee said. "It's not about breaking records, it's about breaking preconceived notions of what's possible, or what's impossible. Let's set our own standard and try and achieve that." 

The Bullis girls' standard is just as impressive. They enter nationals with US#1 times in the 4x200 (1:37.78), 4x400 (3:42.06) and are the defending champions in those events. Bullis set a national record in the 4x200 and shuttle hurdles relay last year. The team has added a sprint medley relay to its repertoire this year with an 'A' and 'B' team entered. Bullis could potentially come away with four gold medals in four relays. 

"We want to try and defend 4x200 and 4x400," Lee said. 

This weekend, between 25-30 athletes will compete and look to make the podium for Bullis. Outside the relays, do-it-all athlete Ashton Allen will compete in the 400 (47.7), while his brother Austin Allen is competing in the long jump after recently posting a solid 24-foot mark, and Turay is a name to watch in the 60-meter hurdles.

For the girls, Aniella Delafosse (19-10) and Lauryn Harris (19-8.50) both have top-five potential in the long jump, while the the 60 hurdles, led by Leah Phillips, could be an event Bullis picks up some major hardware in.

But for Lee and Bullis, the game plan, despite the potential of some record-setting performances, is making sure the Bullis family is operating together when it comes charging out of that gate. 

“Our game plan is how we take care of each other,” Lee explained. “Making sure that we are others-first, if everybody has that others-first mentality, nobody is going to fall short.”