Even after capturing a gold medal at the state championship meet less than a month ago, local distance-running standout Carley Shannon continues to reach new heights.
Shannon, a Bruton High junior and two-sport standout in cross-country and field hockey, shaved better than eight seconds off her former two-mile personal record this past weekend while competing in the Emerging Elite New Balance Indoor Nationals at the Armory in New York City.
Shannon’s 2-mile time Saturday of 11:15.09, which converts to a 11:11.17 in the 3200 meter – the event she won she won at the Group AA meet in Blacksburg three weeks ago – was the fastest time of any runner in Bay Rivers District history by more than eight seconds.
Mallory McClaine, a 2006 Lafayette High grad, held the former record of 11:19.36.
“She ran a courageous race with lots of heart,” Bruton track coach Mark Tompkins said in an email.
Shannon was an all-district and all-region field hockey player for the Panthers who, in the same fall season, also captured Bay Rivers District and Region I cross-country titles before placing 11th at the state meet. She went on to have even better success during the winter indoor track and field season, when she swept both districts and regionals before winning the 3200 meter gold at states in 11:20.73.
She will aim for repeated success during outdoor track season this spring.
