Westhill's Claire Howlett 5th At National Track Meet

STAMFORD, Conn. – Westhill High School junior Claire Howlett wrapped up a track season to remember with a fifth place finish in the 5,000 meters at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in North Carolina.

Westhill's Claire Howlett finished fifth in the 5,000 meter race Friday at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals, the premier scholastic track meet in the United States.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Jeffrey Volpintesta*

Tom Renner

06/18/2013 5:00 a.m.

Howlett ran 16:45.56, smashing the state record. The old mark of 17:47.16 was set in 2011.

In a brilliant two-week stretch, Howlett set personal best times in the 1,600, 3,200 and 5K. She won the State Open in the 1,600 and 3,200, and finished third in New England in the 1,600.

In Friday’s race, Howlett ran with the main pack behind pace setters Wesley Frazier and Erin Finn. Howlett was fourth for most of the final half of the race and was nipped for fourth place by Courtney Smith of West Chester, Pa. Frazier, a senior from Raleigh, N.C., had an unbelievable meet, winning the 1,600, 3,200 and 5,000 meters.

According to the website MileSplit.com, Howlett finished the spring season with the 14th best time in the nation in the 3,200, and 85th in the 1,600. There was no ranking for the 5,000 meters.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.