Top U.S. Half-Milers Uceny, Vessey To Face Off In Millrose 800 Meters

Morgan Uceny (©Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE)

Some of America’s top half-milers are set to face off under the bright lights of New York City’s Armory at Saturday’s 105th Millrose Games.

The two top names also happen to have the two fastest personal bests in the field – Morgan Uceny and Maggie Vessey.

Uceny comes off a banner 2011 season highlighted by a U.S. title and Diamond League championship, both for 1500 meters. Her 800 meter personal best of 1:58.37 proves she isn’t too shabby at the two-lap distance either.

Last weekend, Uceny narrowly lost the 1000 meters at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix to Morocco’s Btissam Lakhouad in 2:38.44.

Vessey also raced in Boston a week ago, eeking out a win in the 800 meters over Erica Moore in a time of 2:02.37.

The Cal Poly grad was sixth in her first World Championship final last summer and has the fastest personal best of the field (1:57.84).

Nineteen-year-old Fantu Magiso of Ethiopia should be a challenge to the two American stars. She was third in the Boston 800 just two-tenths of a second behind Vessey despite running extra distance due confusion over cut-in zones.

A host of other top Americans will look to challenge the three favorites.

After kicking off her indoor season with a 2:02.32 win at the New Balance Games at the Armory, Phoebe Wright, a two-time NCAA champion while at Tennessee, contested the 1000 meters is Boston last week. In her typical aggressive racing style, Wright tucked in right behind the rabbit in the early portions of the race but ran out of gas and ultimately faded to sixth place.

Former LSU All-American LaTavia Thomas ran her first sub-two minute 800 last summer in Ninove, Belgium and looks to continue upon that momentum in 2012. Thomas was second to Wright in the New Balance Games 800 meters two weeks ago and fifth in the 800 last week in Boston.

Also entered is 2011 World Youth champion Ajee Wilson. The high school senior from Neptune, New Jersey has run in several professional meets this indoor season (U.S. Open Track & Field and New Balance Indoor Grand Prix) to gain experience in higher-level race settings. Wilson has a personal best of 2:02.64.

The women’s 800 meters is set to go off at 9:28 PM Eastern Time on Satuday. Watch all the action from the Millrose Games here.

Full race field:

1 Goldfarb, Aly Puma (Israel)
2 Wallace, Lea Nike (U.S.)
3 Magiso, Fantu Ethiopia
4 Thomas, LaTavia Nike (U.S.)
5 Wilson, Ajee Neptune, NJ (U.S.)
6 Uceny, Morgan adidas (U.S.)
7 Wright, Phoebe Nike (U.S.)
8 Vessey, Maggie New Balance (U.S.)

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