U.S. quartet smashes world record in the 4x800

By Mary Albl of Dyestat

NEW YORK – They came to The Armory with one goal in mind. Saturday evening at the 111th NYRR Millrose Games, the American team of Chrishuna Williams, Raevyn Rogers, Charlene Lipsey and Ajee' Wilson broke the world record in the indoor 4x800 relay, logging a time of 8 minutes, 5.89 seconds to surpass the 8:06.24 performance by Russia in 2011. 

“That's a big accomplishment, I'll say,” said Williams, the lead leg. “To represent USA is a great accomplishment. (World) record, that is something big.”

It was a unique opportunity that a self-described competitive group embraced. Wilson, Lipsey and Rogers are all coached by Derek Thompson, with Wilson and Lipsey training together. Rogers, who made her professional debut in late January, is still based in Eugene while she finishes her degree at Oregon. The group added Williams, who is training at her alma mater, at the University of Arkansas.

“It's kind of like putting the Warriors team together. We are each competitive indivdually and to come together … we were a force to be reckoned with,” Rogers said, referring to the NBA champions from Golden State. 

After a 2:05.10 opening leg by Williams, Rogers took the baton and was able to position the United States in first place for the rest of the race with a 2:00.45. Lipsey followed, clocking 2:01.98 and Wilson brought home the win and record with the fastest split of the race, 1:58.37. 

The 5,550 in attendance erupted with the biggest cheers of the night as Wilson carried the baton across the finish line.

“It's definitely the loudest race I've competed in here,” Wilson said of the experience. 

The four posed for photos and took a celebratory lap around the track after.

“It's amazing,” Rogers said. “Just the whole trip, being here, being able to run with these girls and for them to make my dream come true …. I'm a world record holder at 21, that's amazing.”

The NY All-Stars team of Kendra Chambers, Lynsey Sharp, Ce'aira Brown and Cecilia Barowski finished in second place (8:11.45). Jamaica was third in 8:17.75.