Roisin Willis (Jr., Stevens Point HS; Stevens Point, WI)
Event: 800m
Overview: Before we move on to the outdoor season for good, there are some housekeeping items that need to be tended to. Willis has her name in the record books via a strong opening leg on the world junior record 4x800m earlier this season, and previously two seasons ago, she stopped a runaway train from New Jersey known as Athing Mu at the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championship, it is again her time to shine.
This will be Willis' second trip to Chicago this season and the implications are much higher than obtaining the missed 1000m record on February 20. The numero uno goal is to notch the Olympic Trials standard of 2:02.50 and breathe some solace until June.
Willis and company have a plan since her outdoor race in Texas last month produced a 2:03.85 PB against a field of professional runners and pacesetters. The outcome was not to Willis' liking and she will go without the vanity on Saturday. Hoping to use the banked Gately track properly in the beginning, Willis should free herself from any entanglements and hit the first 400m around 59.7-60. Hopefully, she will be able to close out a strong even paced race and make history.