WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — Blair Bartlett, a junior from Lawrenceville, made headlines on November 22, 2023, by breaking the state record at the Nike Northeast Regionals held at Bowdoin Park. With an impressive time of 17:01, she secured her first Nike Northeast Regional title and qualified for the prestigious Nike Cross Nationals, scheduled for December 6 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon.
Facing a competitive field that included notable distance runners like two-time Nike Regional champion Paige Sheppard from Union Catholic and former Massachusetts state champion Greta Hammer, Bartlett dominated the race, finishing with a commanding lead. Her time not only earned her the title but also established her as the fastest New Jersey girl to ever run at Bowdoin Park, shattering the previous record of 18:00 held by Charlotte Bednar since 2019.
Record-Breaking Performance
Bartlett’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. The Lawrenceville standout maintained a steady pace, extending her lead throughout the race. By the time she reached the 2500-meter mark, she had a remarkable 16-second lead over her nearest competitor, Mackenzie Skelly, who finished second in 17:47. Kendra Williamson followed closely in third with a time of 17:55.
Reflecting on her achievement, Bartlett expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete on such a historic course. “It means so much to me. I was just really grateful to get out here today and run on such a historic course with so many great competitors and such great history behind it,” she said.
Her time of 17:01 positions Bartlett as the second-fastest high school girl runner at Bowdoin Park, trailing only Katelyn Tuohy, a three-time national champion who recorded a time of 16:45 in 2018.
A Journey of Determination
Bartlett’s journey to this remarkable achievement is even more inspiring given that she was playing tennis just a year ago. Her head coach, Derrhyl Duncan, highlighted her dedication and work ethic, stating, “We’re extremely proud, but we aren’t surprised. She works extremely hard and races incredibly well.”
Duncan noted that Bartlett had not faced significant competition prior to this race, making her victory even more impressive. “The fact how she went out and took the lead so early, I mean that says everything. She’s a competitor, and I think she came into this excited about the opportunity to go up against the best in the Northeast,” he added.
Bartlett’s strategy of taking an early lead has proven effective throughout her season. “I didn’t really have my eye on a time. I was really just trying to reach that hard effort,” she explained. Her experience running on hills during her previous races also contributed to her success, allowing her to navigate the course more effectively.
As she prepares for the Nike Cross Nationals, Bartlett remains focused on enjoying the experience rather than fixating on the outcome. “I’m just excited to have the opportunity to go out there with such great competition,” she said. Her mindset reflects a balance of confidence and excitement for the challenge ahead.
The remarkable journey of Blair Bartlett continues as she heads to Portland, where she will be among the favorites for the individual title at Nike Cross Nationals. With a state record now to her name, she is poised to make an even greater impact on the national stage.
