Staten Island’s Olga Kosichenko captures 500 meters in the New Balance Grand Prix at Ocean Breeze
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Unfortunately, for Olga Kosichenko on Saturday at Ocean Breeze, it was announced that her New Balance Grand Prix event, the women’s 500 meters, would not be televised live on NBC.
That’s because one of the sport’s best draws, Sydney McLaughlin, already entered in the 60-meter hurdles, was dropped from the event.
But the Staten Islander was not deterred and made its own fireworks display.
Kosichenko, who led a balanced and controlled race, entered the home stretch to win the 500 meters, with a time of 1 minute, 12.36 seconds.
“I felt great the whole time,” said Kosichenko, who runs for the Central Park Track Club.
As the shot was fired, Leah Anderson took the field of 3 athletes pretty hard. Kosichenko decided not to follow her.
“She came out pretty strong,” Kosichenko said, as Anderson clocked in split times of 26.45 (200 meters) and 56.22 (400 meters) seconds.
“I was careful with her and decided to stay behind.”
This strategy paid off, as Kosichenko came out of the last corner and fled to victory.
As Kosichenko raced to victory, records were broken on the variety of other world-class events.
Shelby McEwen competes in the high jump during the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on February 13, 2021 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images)
Leader Elle Purrier walked off the field to set a new US 2-Mile record, as the New Balance-sponsored star ran 9: 15.72.
Gabby Thomas also set a world best time in 2021 of 35.73 seconds in the women’s 300 meters.
In the men’s 1,500-meter, Australian Oliver Hoare ran the equivalent of a 3:49 mile, winning the metric mile event in a new national record of 3 minutes, 32.35 seconds in a deep field where 8 of 11 competitors set personal bests, including Briton Jake Wightman (3: 34.48 – 2nd), Craig Engels (3: 36.49 – 5th) and Johnny Gregorek (3: 37.22 – 6th).
Other US records include Bryce Hoppel in the 1,000-meter (2: 16.27) and Donovan Brazier in the 800-meter (1: 44.21)
Ocean Breeze is a favorite haunt for Brazier, as the 2019 world champion set a world record 600 meters on the fast Ocean Breeze Track (1: 13.77) at the 2019 USATF Indoor Championships.
“I really like running here,” said Brazier.
Based on performance, many other competitors too!
For full results see: https://results.nbindoorgrandprix.com/
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