Below is an excerpt from the Fast Women newsletter, posted with permission. Fast Women produces a high-quality, weekly newsletter, mostly centered around women’s distance running.
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From the Fast Women Newsletter
Ajee’ Wilson struggled a bit with her running in 2021 (but still managed to make the Olympic team), but all of her races thus far in 2022 indicate that things are headed in the right direction again. Wilson is undefeated this season, and she continued that streak at the U.S. indoor championships, where she won her 12th national title. Wilson controlled the race from the front but didn’t take it out hard, going through 400m in 61.61 seconds and 600m in 1:32.58. Wilson’s last lap was her fastest one, though, and she used it to kick away from the field and win in 2:01.72.
Behind Wilson, it was anyone’s race until one lap to go. Olivia Baker was as far back as sixth early on, but she ran the fastest third 200 of anyone in the race, and moved right in behind Wilson as they entered the bell lap. If you’ve watched Baker’s recent races, her strength is her ability to change gears in the second half of the race. She hung with Wilson better than anyone else on the final lap and finished second in 2:02.14. Over the summer, Baker was considering giving up the sport, and now she has qualified for her first senior World Championships team. This is a huge moment in her career. Behind her, Brooke Feldmeier, who is also in the midst of a good season, finished third in 2:03.01, barely ahead of Michaela Meyer, who was also timed in 2:03.01.
