Cain, Wilson Take Wins As The Armory Celebrates 100 Years

By Chris Lotsbom of ArmoryTrack.com

NEW YORK (10-Jan) -- The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory celebrated it's 100th anniversary of hosting track and field meets on Friday with the NYC Gotham Cup. Surprise appearances from IAAF World Championships finalists Mary Cain and Ajee' Wilson highlighted the afternoon's action.

For Cain, 17, the meet served as her first competition since turning professional and joining the Nike Oregon Project. Toeing the line in the 500 meters and 800 meters as a workout, the Bronxville High School senior looked confident and in fine form.

"I felt great," said Cain, sporting her signature smile. 

To begin the afternoon, Cain took second to Jamaican sprinter Sophia Smellie in the 500 meters. Moving up through the field in the second lap, Cain ultimately finished less than a second behind Smellie, 1:11.63 to 1:12.43. Cain's finishing time ranks seventh all-time for high schoolers.  

About a half hour later, Cain ran the 800. Despite nearly getting tripped at the start, Cain sprang into the lead at 400 meters (passed in 65.5 seconds) and never looked back. Ultimately, she'd finish first in 2:08.51.

Following her races, Cain said it was special returning to The Armory, a track she has become very familiar with. Last year, Cain set an American Junior and High School record of 4:28.25 in the Women's Wanamaker Mile at the NYRR Millrose Games. On February 15, Cain will return to the NYRR Millrose Games for an 800m contest against Wilson, Iceland's Anita Hinriksdottir, and Jamaica's Natoya Goule, the reigning NCAA champion.

"I am really excited," said Cain, noting her close friendship with Wilson. "I think it was a great idea to have a lot of younger, junior athletes racing together. One thing that I want to do for the sport is try to encourage other people."

With Friday being the 100th anniversary of track and field at The Armory, Cain was asked her favorite memory from the facility.

"Honestly for me, it's probably been the training sessions I've had in here," she said. "I love when I get to come to The Armory, especially when it's really quiet. Like nobody in the stands and nobody on the track. I sit on the track and am like 'Wow!' Imagine all of the people who have run here and broken indoor records and like everything. I like sitting on the track before doing my 200's and am like 'OK, I have to live up to that in my workout.'"

Shortly after Cain won the 800m, the 19-year-old Wilson competed in the 1,000m. After allowing Delaware State's Ketsia Dornevil to open up a small gap in the opening lap, the Neptune, New Jersey native turned to another gear and took the lead nearing 400 meters. From there, Wilson would run all alone in front to a 2:50.44 victory.

"My coach just really wanted to see where I was at this point," she said. "Training has been going very well."

Like Cain, Wilson is anxious to return to The Armory for the NYRR Millrose Games. She recently completed her first term at Temple University in Philadelphia.

"Millrose has always been a great race. Even in high school, it was always a big deal to try to make it in the mile," she said. "It will definitely be fun."

And on facing Cain?

"We are all so young and running just as fast," she said. "We all run differently, so it'll be cool to race [against one another]." 

Photo/Chris Lotsbom for ArmoryTrack.com