Standout Preps Have Experience Running Against Older Women And Have Shown Record-Setting Capability Already This Winter

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Photo by Phil Bond

Roisin Willis and Sophia Gorriaran enter Saturday’s 114th Millrose Games as two of the youngest competitors in the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800-meter elite race.

But the two high schoolers do not lack for experience against a talented and veteran field. With running resumes that feature last summer's U.S. Olympic Trials, the pair expect to contend for the prestigious title. 

“Last year, I had a lot of opportunities to race against some people a lot better than me and I did a couple professional races where I was in the ‘B’ heats, and then had the Olympic Trials experience where I had two races,” Willis said. “So, I think as far as the racing goes, I've had a lot of different types of races that I've learned from and just training-wise, I think I'm in a much better position than I was a year ago, so I’m super excited to race Saturday.”

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Willis, a senior at Stevens Point WI, has a personal-best 800 of 2:00.78, a time she achieved last spring at the Trials of Miles NYC Qualifier, a race that qualified her for the Olympic Trials. Her indoor 800 PR is 2:03.05. 

Gorriaran, a junior from Moses Brown RI, will be the youngest on the line at just 16 years old, but brings in the most racing experience this season with a half-dozen races under her belt this winter. She opened up with a US#1 800 time of 2:04.07 at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on Dec. 4, taking first in a field of collegiate runners. And, like Willis, she shares a similar mindset heading into the race. 

“The experience of racing against the pros in the past really helps me,” Gorriaran said. “I’ve raced against them a few times and I’m not really feeling nervous, just excited to be able to compete and to run against some of the best 800 runners in the world.”

The women’s 800 field is highlighted by Ajeé Wilson, a six-time Millrose Games champion (2020 winner) and Jamaican Olympic finalist Natoya Goule-Toppin, as well as U.S. Olympic 800 alternate Michaela Meyer.

Athing Mu, the recent Bowerman Award winner and Olympic 800-meter champion, was originally in the field, but switched to the WHOOP Women's Wanamaker Mile. Mu is also the American record holder outdoors at 1:55.04.

“I was a little disappointed (Mu) wasn’t going to run because I was so looking forward to running against her, but it’s still a lot of great competition,” Gorriaran said. 

Added Willis: “The range of times is a bit different now, so I’m a bit closer to (the top) I guess. But I think I feel more confident of really putting myself in there and going out hard and seeing what I can do. And I think obviously, Athing is in really good shape, but I’m really excited to get in there with those women, and I think it will be fun regardless of whoever is in the race.”

Saturday will be Willis’ first 800 of the indoor season, but she and Gorrarian have already squared off against one another. The two competed at the Virginia Showcase earlier this month, where Willis won the 1,000 (2:43.34) and 500 (1:27.70), both with US#1 times. Willis’ 500 time was also No. 4 all-time. Willis said she is further ahead of where she was last year.  

“I had a really good offseason,” Willis said. “I haven't had a series of 800s to really see where I am, but I don't think I have to work a lot harder to get where I was last year. Overall I think I'm right where I was last year, if not better. Training has been going really well.” 

Gorrarian finished runner-up in both events at the Virginia Showcase, clocking a 2:43.52 1,000 and 1:11.26 500. Last weekend at the New Balance Games at The Armory, Gorrarian ran a US#1 and No. 9 all-time 600 of 1:27.70. Saturday, she has an opportunity to lower her Under-18 World Indoor Record of 2:02.44, a mark she set last year, qualifying her for the Olympic Trials. 

“I definitely want to improve on my times and indoor PR,” she said. “I feel good, so we will see what happens.”

The high school national record of 2:01.78, held by Sammy Watson of Rush-Henrietta NY since 2017, is on the table, and so is the elusive 2-minute barrier. 

Current U.S. leader and fellow Olympic trialist Juliette Whittaker, who has run 2:02.07 this winter, is running in the New Balance Girls Mile. 

“I definitely have thought about it,” Willis said of the 2-minute mark. “Last year I was chasing the Olympic Trials standard and that was really hard at times. Me and my coach said no chasing times this year, and having the opportunity like Millrose, I don't need to focus on times, it's just about going out here and racing. Obviously I want to run to my potential, but I don’t want to worry about a barrier.” 

No matter what happens Saturday for Willis and Gorriaran, the two are looking forward to sharing the experience together. 

“I think it's really nice. Having someone you know personally there is always a good feeling,” Gorriaran said. “We always bring out the best in each other when we race. I’m looking forward to it.”

Added Willis: “I’m super excited that we both have this opportunity to run in this race. I think it will be really great that we both can push each other and we both get this opportunity to see what we can do in this really competitive field.”