The 2021 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Live At Ocean Breeze, Staten Island: Craig Engels Coming Back To "My Track!

Craig Engels at Millrose Games, photo by Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin checked in with Craig Engels as he did his prep or the 2021 New Balance Indoor Gran Prix Live At Ocean Breeze, Staten Island. Craig just went 1:46.10 a 800m at ATL Meet #2.

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Defending Champion Alicia Monson and World Bronze Medalist Konstanze Klosterhalfen Headline Terrific Women’s 3000m at the 115th Millrose Games, February 11th at The Armory

Is this the end of the road for Akani Simbine after losing his titles in 2022?

The 2021 New Balance Indoor Gran Prix Live At Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

Craig Engels Coming Back To “My Track!

By Jeff Benjamin

One could say that Nike Star Miler Craig Engels is coming back to where that next level all began for him.

At the 2019 USATF Indoor Championships held here at Ocean Breeze, Engels won the first of his national titles, winning the 1-Mile Gold Medal.

That victory propelled him onto the larger scene, as the Mississippi University All-American and SEC Champion went on to also win the 2019 Outdoor National Championship.

Jeff Benjamin with Craig Engels, photo by Jeff Benjamin

Now eager to race again, Engels, who sports a 3:51 mile personal best time, makes no bones about how he feels about coming back to Staten Island.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to MY track,” said the mullet-hair and 1970’s style mustached competitor, known for his great humor and fierce competitiveness as he awaits next week’s New Balance Gran Prix Mile race.

“Staten Island is where I won my first USA title, and I hope to keep my winning streak going at Ocean Breeze… The facility is amazing and the track is one of the fastest in the world.”

Along with the fast track are quite a few fast competitors, and Engels seems more than willing to take them on.

“I think the times at this meet will be much faster than if it were held anywhere else,” said Engels. “I’m very thankful Ocean Breeze was able to get this meet going with such short notice.”I’m super stoked to race a 1500.”

And Engels acknowledged the quality of competition as well.

Craig Engels at Ocean Breeze, photo by Jeff Benjamin

“The field should be stacked with some of the best 1500 guys in the world, including the reigning Olympic champion (Matthew Centrowitz)!”

Last week indoors in Arkansas, Engels dropped down in distance, working on his speed and clocking a time of 1:46.10 over the 800 meters.

“I’m super stoked to race a 1500.”

Bell Lap

Although no live spectators are allowed, the 2021 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix will be shown live on NBC from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 13. The event is the only gold-level U.S. stop on the World Athletics Indoor Tour.

For further information check out

https://www.nbindoorgrandprix.com/

Author

Jeff Benjamin
Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.
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