Blair Bartlett, a standout runner from Lawrenceville, New Jersey, made headlines at the Nike Northeast Regionals on November 22, 2023, by breaking the state record for cross-country at Bowdoin Park. She finished the race with an impressive time of 17:01, securing her first regional title and a spot at the upcoming Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon, scheduled for December 6, 2023.
Facing a formidable field, including two-time Nike Regional champion Paige Sheppard from Union Catholic and former Massachusetts state champion Greta Hammer, Bartlett dominated the race. Her performance not only earned her the victory but also marked the fastest time recorded by a New Jersey girl at Bowdoin Park, surpassing the previous record of 18:00 set by fellow Lawrenceville runner Charlotte Bednar in 2019.
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Bartlett expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete on a historic course against top-tier athletes. “It means so much to me,” she said. “I was just really grateful to get out here today and run on such a historic course with so many great competitors and such great history behind it.”
Bartlett’s time of 17:01 is also the second fastest ever recorded by a high school girl at Bowdoin Park, trailing only former three-time national champion Katelyn Tuohy, who clocked 16:45 in 2018. Remarkably, this achievement comes just a year after Bartlett transitioned from playing tennis to embracing cross-country running.
Her coach, Derrhyl Duncan, praised her determination and competitive spirit. He noted, “We’re extremely proud, but we aren’t surprised. She works extremely hard and races incredibly well.” Duncan highlighted Bartlett’s strategy of taking an early lead, which has been a hallmark of her racing style throughout the season.
As the race progressed, Bartlett maintained a significant lead, crossing the 2500-meter mark with a 16-second advantage over Mackenzie Skelly of Penn Charter, who finished second in 17:47. Kendra Williamson and Julia Kelly rounded out the top three with times of 17:55 and 18:02, respectively.
Bartlett approached the race without focusing solely on time, instead prioritizing effort and strategy. “I didn’t really have my eye on a time,” she explained. “I was really just trying to reach that hard effort.” Drawing from her previous experiences on the course, she applied lessons learned about handling hills, which proved pivotal in her performance.
Duncan emphasized the importance of Bartlett controlling the race on her own terms. “It was great seeing her go out there and just say, ‘I’m gonna run it the way I’ve been running it, the way I’m comfortable running it,’” he said. This confident mindset positions Bartlett as a strong contender for the individual title at the Nike Cross Nationals.
Looking ahead, Bartlett remains focused on enjoying the experience at the national level. “I’m just excited to have the opportunity to go out there with such great competition,” she said. “I’m just looking forward to it with excitement, maybe not as much expectations or focused on an outcome. Just really excited for new challenge, new opportunity, and I’m ready to go.”
Bartlett’s remarkable journey from tennis to cross-country running exemplifies her dedication and talent, setting the stage for a promising future in the sport. As she prepares for the national championship, her achievements at the regional level have already established her as one of New Jersey’s premier high school athletes.
