New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory, December 27^th – On the last Saturday of 2014, hundreds of New York City’s young up and coming athletes entered the world’s premier indoor track and field facility to compete in the Armory Youth Holiday Classic Presented By NYRR. The meet was the second of this indoor season’s NYRR Youth Running Series, which introduces kids to the sport of running, jumping and throwing.

The first event of the meet was the girls mile for athletes 8 years old and under. Leilani Gibson was able to win a gold medal in the event. She crossed the finish line with her hands in the air in an impressive time of 6:31.28. Brianna Lindo of NY Novas Track Club and Jordan Weiner of Tailwind Track Club followed close behind, earning silver and bronze medals with just as impressive times of 6:37.16 and 7:02.93.

Micah Cooper of Thomas C. Giordano Middle School competed in the boys 800m, running a time of 2:27.14 “I like to compete at The Armory because there are always a lot of good competitors,” said Cooper, who also ran the mile.

Frank Roye Jr. of Holy Cross HS had a busy day at the meet, competing hard in the boys 3000m, 800m, and 400m. “I like running at The Armory because of the thrill that the crowd gives you,” said Roye. “They scream your name and cheer you on. I still get goosebumps.”

The highlight of the event was Nicole Carroll of Tampa Catholic HS's 12-00.00 mark in the girls pole vault. The University of Southern Florida signee had planned to only workout at the meet, but found herself entering the nation's top 10 with her effort. 

Each of the series’ upcoming indoor track and field meets will take place at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory. The next event in the series will be the Armory Middle School Invitational Presented By NYRR, taking place on Monday, January 5^th. Check the NYRR website for more details: http://www.nyrr.org/youth-and-schools/series-and-events/nyrr-youth-running-series

You can find full results and photos from the meet here:

http://www.armorytrack.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45586&do=news&news_id=306309