Payamps produces national leader in second event, Foster now ranks top three in the country at four distances following strong performances in Boston

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

BOSTON – Morgan Foster and Matthew Payamps might not be on the starting line in two weeks for the prestigious New Balance Junior Invitational mile races at the NYRR Millrose Games, but both seniors demonstrated Saturday at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix they’re capable of winning against an elite field of challengers.

RESULTS | MORGAN FOSTER INTERVIEW | MATTHEW PAYAMPS INTERVIEW

Both athletes benefited from conservative pacing in the first half of their respective races to close in strong fashion, securing impressive victories at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College.

Payamps, representing St. Anthony’s NY, held off a late surge from Hopewell Valley Central NJ senior Sean Dolan to prevail in a nation-leading 4 minutes, 12.34 seconds. Dolan moved from fifth to second in the final two laps to run 4:13.04.

Foster, who made the long trip from Chandler High in Arizona, created a significant gap on the field on the fifth and sixth laps and had enough speed left at the end to clock a personal-best 4:50.13, with Woodstock GA senior Brynne Sumner placing second in 4:51.43, a three-second drop from her performance Jan. 19 at Clemson.

“The first four laps were kind of nerve racking because I was just sitting, sitting, sitting and kind of waiting because nobody wanted to take it and I think we were all just kind of waiting for that moment, but the last four laps went by like a blur,” said Foster, who competed on a 200-meter banked track for the first time in her career after competing on a flat indoor surface Jan. 12 at the Washington Preview meet in Seattle.

“I was just focused on what was in front of me and I wasn’t paying attention to who was behind me or how far they were. I was just focused on finishing and my legs felt really strong and I was just kind of floating on that.

“I knew I could bring it home strong, but I didn’t know what everybody else could do, so I was just focusing on, three laps and I still have gas in the tank, two laps and I still have gas left in the tank and last one, just go for it.”

Foster, a Stanford signee, now ranks in the top three in the country this season in the 600, 1,000, 1,500 and the mile in the first indoor season of her career.

In addition to Sumner, The Ursuline School NY senior Lily Flynn (4:51.63), Natick MA senior Grace Connolly (4:51.78) and Newton South MA junior Lucy Jenks (4:51.88) all closed well to finish ahead of Governor Livingston NJ junior Victoria Vanriele (4:55.85), who led the first half of the race.

Payamps, a Georgetown signee, has also showcased impressive range with victories from the 600 to the 3,000 in the past month.

He secured his second nation-leading effort, along with an 8:31.01 performance Jan. 12 in the 3,000 at the Yale Track Classic, by surging ahead of Point Pleasant Boro NJ senior Devin Hart with two laps remaining and then driving to the finish line in the final 100 meters to prevent Dolan’s comeback bid.

“With 300 left to go, everyone was still in the race because it went out pretty slow, so I knew if I didn’t start pushing and make a move, people could come and box me in with 200 to go and that’s not where I wanted to be, so I just decided to make a move and try to stay with it,” said Payamps, who has decided not to race in the mile at Millrose Games in order to qualify for the 4x800 relay at the New York indoor state meet with his teammates.

“I’m super happy I was able to get into this meet, just the experience and the atmosphere of the whole thing, I’m so grateful and honestly so blessed and so excited for what’s still to come.”

Niwot CO junior Cruz Culpepper moved from ninth to third in the final two laps, clocking 4:13.24, with Arlington MA senior Ryan Oosting finishing fourth in 4:13.32. Hart, the leader for the first six laps, finished fifth in 4:14.60.

West Seattle WA senior Chloe Cunliffe, representing Seattle Speed Track Club and Northwest Pole Vault Club, was unable to clear the opening height of 13-5.75 (4.11m) competing against five professional athletes, including reigning Olympic and World gold medalist Katerina Stefanidi of Greece and defending USATF Indoor champion Katie Nageotte.

“It was my first time jumping without a box collar, which I liked and didn’t take me that long to get used to, but the box was really difficult to jump on,” said Cunliffe, the national prep leader this season at 14 feet (4.27m).

“The girls are all really nice and helpful, so they made it pretty easy and relaxing. They made it less intense and I had fun.”

Cunliffe, a Washington State signee, was the lone high school athlete competing against professionals in the meet.

“I wish I did better, but hey, I’ll be ready to attack my next meet,” Cunliffe said. “It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again, just not the no height part.”

Newton North MA won the boys 1,600 sprint medley relay in 3:33.32, with Natick Track Club securing victory in the girls race in 4:09.74.