His last two races have produced a state record.
You could say Sean Gray is peaking at just the right time.
Here’s the scary part – His latest performance was a personal best by nearly 20 seconds, and he still believes he had more in the tank.
With the New Balance Nationals on deck this weekend, the Portsmouth senior got exactly the confidence boost he needed before taking on the nation’s best at Franklin Field.
Gray didn’t just break his own state record Saturday at the Battle Road Twilight Series—he obliterated it.
Competing against a field that included collegians, post-collegians and some top open runners in the 5,000-meter run, the University of Virginia commit placed second overall in a stunning 14 minutes, 20.93 seconds. The performance shattered his previous outdoor best of 14:36.70, set at last year’s New Balance Nationals, and was more than seven seconds faster than his all-time best of 14:27.60 from this past winter’s national meet.
“I’m content with my performance this past weekend,” Gray said. “The goal going in was 14:10, and I still definitely believe I have the fitness to do so. Still, it’s a great time and I am happy to lower my PB and the state record.”
The recent Portsmouth grad placed second to Mitchell Derwin of the Tufts University Running Club, who clocked 14:11.07. Both runners had the aid of two pacers at the beginning of the race with one leading through 2K and the other through 3K.
Among a sizable lead pack, Gray hit his opening mile in 4:35. He went through the 3K mark at 8:37.5.
“I had some self-induced stomach issues – ate too much beforehand – throughout the race and the pacer ran slower than the desired pace,” he said. “Sixty-eight seconds (per 400m) was the goal tempo and we were consistently at 69 seconds.”
Gray was able run his fastest split on the last lap, covering the final 400m in 64.62.
Now it’s on to the New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia this weekend. Gray has big plans for the meet of his high school career.
“I am very excited for the meet and now know I have the fitness to run a fast two mile and contend for the win,” he said. “I am hoping to win the two mile and run around 8:45, and also run the mile and try and break 4:10.”
