This year has been one for the record books! With so many great races, events, and of course performances, we had to take our time compiling this list. Check out all the moments here and let us know what you think about it both in our poll (to be listed when #1 is released) and via #MileStatTop25
#18: Team War Goes To War w/o Leader!
If you want to talk about coming so close but falling just short then you have to bring this performance up. The thing about it though is that the coming up short part is only partly true. For those that do not know, we are talking about Nansemond River's 4th place finish in the girls 4x400 running 3:39.01 at New Balance Outdoor Nationals.
Though they did lose the race, and lost to their bitter rival Western Branch, they put together one of the best performances ever in the state. Their time ranks #2 all-time in the state of Virginia and broke the previous state record by nearly two seconds. They also finished just .48 off of the state record and beating Western Branch who finished third in state record time. All of that is impressive enough but what makes them losing and running that time so impressive was the fact that they did so without their top runner!
Unfortunately the day of the race their star runner, Kara Lyles (known as Knees), suffered an injury that did not allow her to run in the 4x400 final. Their coaching staff and team made no excuses though and still took to the tracks with the goal of winning the national championship. They almost did just that thanks to their alternate stepping up big time running four seconds faster then her average time.
Hypothetically, but realistically as well, if Team War had had Lyles running we would be talking about National Records and National Champions. Lyles made a 3-4 second difference conservatively and would have given Brandee' Johnson the lead to take this team home and battle against the clock.
Despite not winning this title or beating their rivals, this team is the one of those two that makes it on to the top moments list for stepping up when it mattered and refusing to give up.