Friday night at 8:45pm the gun sounded to start the first heat of the boys 5,000m run. Henry Sterling had barely qualified to race at the New Balance Nationals with his 3200m time of 9:20 and so was placed in the slower heat of 16 runners. This was Henry’s 3rd time running the 5k with the last race happening about 1 year ago. Not knowing what to expect Henry went out with the pack and stayed towards the back coming through the mile at 4:56. The next 4 laps saw the field start to push each other and exchange the lead several times while Henry continued to stay towards the back of the lead pack waiting patiently. 4 laps later Henry came through the 2 mile in 9:53 in 4th place (almost exactly equal mile splits) 
and was positioned to possibly win his heat. In the 9th lap Henry pulled into 3rd with a surge to catch the 2 leaders and one lap later, with 3 to go in the race, Henry positioned himself perfectly in 2nd. 2 laps to go and at the 600m mark Henry pulls into first and begins to push the pace. At the gun lap Henry surges hard and drops the 2nd place runner running a 32 second 200, he finished with a 30.0 second last 200 opening the gap by almost 30m 0n the nearest runner to win his heat running his final mile in 4:46 and finishing the race in 15:17 — a new personal best by 24 seconds and new school record.
After the second heat finished Henry 10th in the country out of a field of 31 at the meet. Overall it was a great race on a very hot day in Greensboro, North Carolina. According to Henry he runs his best in night races so running at the national championships and winning his heat in the 5,000m is an amazing way to end a stellar high school career. Congratulations Henry!
Watch a video of the race
Results and more pictures coming soon.
Amazing Job Henry!
I’m amazed! Fantastic job, Henry. Congratuations!!