Monson (8:25.05) And Tuohy (8:35.20) Produce Historic Times In Same Race At Millrose Games

By David Woods for DyeStat

John Nepolitan Photos | INTERVIEWS | RESULTS

NEW YORK – As Alicia Monson chases the world’s best, Katelyn Tuohy chases Alicia Monson.

It made for a compelling 3,000 meters Saturday at the 115th Millrose Games, where Monson and Tuohy raced to American and collegiate records, respectively.

Monson’s victory was her third in the past four Millrose Games, beginning in 2019 when she was a collegian at Wisconsin. Her time of 8:25.05 was a world leader – plus an American, meet, Armory and non-Ethiopian record.  Five women have run faster indoors, all from Ethiopia.

Previous American record was 8:25.70 by Karissa Schweizer in 2020.

“I saw the clock and thought, ‘All right, this is going to be close,’“ said Monson, whose last 400 was 64.59 seconds. “I’ve got to give it what I’ve got.”

Whittni Orton Morgan was second in 8:30.13 and Tuohy third in 8:35.20. That elevated the top three to Nos. 1, 5 and 6 on the all-time U.S. indoor list.

Coincidentally, those same three finished in that order at The Armory two weeks ago when they raced a mile.

Although Danielle Aragon did the pacesetting in the 3,000 for five laps, Monson was on her own over the closing 10 laps, and she closed strong after a 4:34 mile.

“I think it’s a good way to run, just because I’m looking at us Americans being competitive on the world level,” Monson said. “Being able to pull off these fast races – even though not every championship is a record chance – you have to be capable of that.”

Tuohy looked capable of this while racing for North Rockland High School, or 37 miles from The Armory in Thiells, N.Y. Indeed, her national high school indoor record of 9:01.81 was set here in 2019.

She said it would be no exaggeration to characterize this as her home track. Family, friends, alumni and former coaches were here, and she heard – and felt – the roar of the crowd when introduced.

“I know the staff. I know my way around here,” Tuohy said. “It’s cool seeing people that used to work here from when I was 12 years old still doing it because they love it so.”

Tuohy, of North Carolina State, broke the collegiate record of 8:41.60 set by Schweizer, of Missouri, in 2018.

The 20-year-old Tuohy acknowledged she has looked up to Monson, 24. Now, the two have gone 1-3 in successive Armory races, with Tuohy twice setting collegiate records.

“It’s been a bit surreal because I used to watch her on TV, running Millrose for Wisconsin,” she said. “I see her racing overseas and making teams. So it’s really cool to get to line up next to her and learn from her.”

Tuohy followed the race plan set out by coach Laurie Henes, running eighth through 1,000 meters and sixth in a 4:36 mile. Tuohy didn’t climb into the top three until the final 600.

“It’s a lot different from high school where I could just go from the gun,” she said. “It took me a while to learn how race within a race. I was realistic. I knew I couldn’t be in that top group.”

The rest of the season is indeterminate for the two record-breakers.

Tuohy could run for an N.C. State team in a bid to break Washington’s new collegiate record in the distance medley relay, or could race the mile, 3,000 or 5,000 at the NCAA Indoor Championships – or a combination of the above. Monson is uncommitted on 5,000 or 10,000 at August’s World Championships but said she will race a 10,000 in three weeks in California.

“There’s so much time until then, we’re hitting it hard with indoors right now,” Monson said.

Top seven all ran PBs.  Elly Henes was fourth in 8:36.48. Elise Cranny, winner of the past two USA 5,000s, was fifth in 8:37.17. Laura Galvan was sixth in a Mexican record of 8:40.45, and Gabbi Jennings was seventh in 8:51.10.

Contact David Woods at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.