With the track and field regular season winding down as we head to conference weekend and the NCAA Championships after that, collegiate athletes have few remaining opportunities to grab a PB before team points and regional qualifying take precedence. 

 

One such opportunity presents itself tomorrow at the Swarthmore Final Qualifier, LIVE on FloTrack at 3:30 EDT. This meet has gained the reputation as a spot to run a massive personal best, due in part to scheduling (athletes are rounding into top form in May), and also because of one race in particular- the 2012 Swarthmore men’s 1500m. 

 

You’re probably asking yourself, can one race really define a meet three years later? The answer, of course is yes, as that race was the site of Kyle Merber’s 3:35.59 American collegiate record, as well as our first introduction to Jordy Williamsz, who himself ran 3:36.74 as an Australian high schooler. Even with all the success those two have had (See: World Relays DMR, Penn Relays 4xMile), both of their PBs remain from that race. 

 

This year’s crop of talent is hoping to capture some of the magic that still hangs around from 2012 Swarthmore. For those athletes trying to qualify for NCAA regionals (top 48 on descending order list), the 2015 Swarthmore meet represents their final opportunity to secure a spot in their respective region before conference. Everyone will be running with a sense of urgency, and you better believe huge PBs will be achieved.