Local standout Jenks prevails against reigning New Balance Nationals mile champion Parks, with Culpepper securing victory in his lone indoor race this season

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

BOSTON – From the moment she was introduced in the girls junior mile starting lineup Saturday evening at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Lucy Jenks had the home-track advantage.

Surrounded by family and friends, the Newton South MA senior took full advantage of the familiar setting at the Reggie Lewis Track Center as she powered her way to a victory, clocking 4 minutes, 47.83 seconds, a U.S. No. 2 time this season.

RESULTS | LUCY JENKS INTERVIEW | CRUZ CULPEPPER INTERVIEW

“It was pretty special,” Jenks said. “Just to come out here and win with a lot of family here, and friends.”

Located less than 10 miles away, Jenks said she races often at Reggie Lewis with many of Newton South’s league and divisional meets hosted at the venue.

On Saturday, up against a talented field, which included reigning New Balance Indoor mile champion Taryn Parks of Greencastle Antrim PA, Jenks was also to follow her game plan and make her move when it counted. She explained the plan was to stick with Parks and see where that led. Parks finished runner-up in a U.S. No. 3 time of 4:49.80. The final 200 meters Jenks was able to pass Parks and hold on for the victory.

“I wasn’t exactly sure if she was going to take it out. I didn’t know if would  be too fast for me,” Jenks said. “But my coach told me stay right behind her.”

Jenks, who is coming off her first cross country season, as she played soccer previously, said having that base and summer training heading into her final prep track season has been an added benefit.

“I felt really strong,” she said. “It’s nice and reassuring to have a national qualifying time out of the way.”

In the boys junior mile, it was a battle of two Olympic sons, as Cruz Culpepper (son of Alan and Shayne Culpepper, both two-time Olympians) and Will Coogan (son of Gwyn Coogan, 1992 Olympian and Mark Coogan, 1996 Olympian).

Culpepper, a senior from Niwot CO, said he didn’t plan on taking the lead in the race, but it played out to his favor, as he set an honest pace and was able to shake off Coogan toward the end to cross the line in 4:11.44, a U.S. No. 2 performance this year.

“I didn’t plan on going to the lead ... and it worked out well,” Culpepper said.

Coogan, a senior from Exeter NH finished in a U.S. No. 5 time of 4:14.93. This was the only race scheduled during the indoor season for Culpepper.

“It’s a fun meet. Boston is a great city,” Culpepper said. “It was good, definitely been training hard.”

In the high school 1,600-meter sprint medley relays, the girls team from Bishop Loughlin NY led from start to finish, including an impressive 56.96 third leg to win the race in a U.S. No. 1 time of 4:05.20.

The boys 1,600 SMR was also quick as Lexington MA held off La Salle Academy RI to win in 3:33.33, a U.S. No. 1. La Salle was second (3:33.74), the U.S. No. 3 mark.