Kate Murphy 'Brave' in Dream 1,500, clocks 4:07 

By Adam Kopet of DyeStat

Kate Murphy, the Lake Braddock VA junior, seized her opportunity in the Dream 1,500 at the adidas Boost Boston games, pulling away from Katie Rainsberger, of Air Academy CO, over the final lap to win in 4:07.21. That moves Murphy to No. 3 all time and betters the Olympic Trials qualifying standard. She will join Christina Aragon, the Billings Senior MT graduate, who earned her standard in Portland less than a week ago, on the start line in Eugene next month.

Murphy, still only 16 years old, put herself into second behind the rabbit from the gun. Rainsberger followed directly behind with a gap forming back to the chase pack. However, the final lap belonged to Murphy. She passed the bell in 3:05 and closed with a 62 second last 400 for the dominating win. Rainberger held her second place position in 4:14.12, with Ella Donaghu, of Grant OR, winning the chase pack in 4:18.07.

Coming into the race, Murphy's goal was to “get the Olympic Trials Standard and just compete the way I compete.” Her strong last lap was reminiscent of her 1,500 win at Swarthmore a month ago when she beat professional runner Murielle Hall. She added that she wanted to “be brave.” When asked what she will remember from this race, Murphy responded “that I was the bravest I've ever been.”

While the girls' race was fast from the gun, the Boys Dream Mile started out too slow to make a serious attempt at sub-4. Early laps of 61 and 62 seconds cemented the outcome, allowing the speedier athletes to stay involved. Thomas Ratcliffe, of Concord-Carlisle, was the early leader, building a gap on the field when the rabbit dropped off.

Ratcliffe was leading by more than a second with 400 to go, but strong finishes over the final lap by Jack Salisbury, of LaSalle RI, and Ryan Schweizer, of Dowling Catholic IA, made the race close. In the end, it was Salisbury passing Ratcliffe for the win in 4:04.20. Ratcliffe held on for second (4:04.41) and Schweizer finished third (4:05.10). Salisbury closed in 57.64, but only moved into the lead in the final meters.

In professional action, Ajee Wilson and Molly Ludlow both broke the 2-minute barrier in the 800 with Wilson earning the wire-to-wire win in 1:59.72. In the 1,500, Cory McGee was pushed to the line by Rachel Schneider. McGee won in 4:08.65 with Schneider also bettering the Olympic Trials standard in 4:09.29. Ben True was the top American finisher in the men's 1,500, running 3:36.05 for third behind Kenyan Collins Cheboi and Nick Willis of New Zealand. 2015 World Champion Wade Van Niekirk of South Africa won the men's 400 in 44.28 while Francena McCorory won the women's race in 50.46. In the women's 5,000, both Murielle Hall and Abbey D'Agostino bettered the Olympic games standard, running 15:13.66 and 15:22.29 respectively.