North Carolina State graduate student-athlete Elly Henes and senior Hannah Steelman, both All-Americans in cross country and track, join DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Feb. 19-20 at the Camel City Invitational at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C. Henes is scheduled to compete in the distance medley relay for the Wolfpack, along with the Camel City elite women's mile against several professional competitors, with Steelman balancing both cross country and indoor track seasons, racing in the elite women's 3,000 meters, also against several post-collegiate entries. Henes reminisces about her history competing at JDL Fast Track, starting as a prep athlete for Green Hope High in North Carolina. She also revisits racing at Camel City in the elite 3,000 meters in 2019 against Steelman, then competing for Wofford before transferring to North Carolina State in 2020. Steelman examines how the racing atmosphere at JDL Fast Track is one of the most intimate and unique in the sport, and how she expects the environment to be different without fans in attendance. They both speak about the legacy of the Camel City Invitational, and express their gratitude to facility director Craig Longhurst for keeping the event on the calendar during such an unprecedented indoor season. Steelman shares how significant it will be to represent North Carolina State at JDL Fast Track for the first time, and how she appreciates the opportunity to face elite talent from other collegiate programs, as well as professional competitors, to become better prepared for NCAA Division 1 Championship races in March. She also reveals the dynamic of having cross country and indoor track seasons existing simultaneously, and how the Wolfpack have remained mentally focused on excelling at both. Henes reflects on earning the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying standard in December in the 10,000 meters by clocking 32:12.06 at the Sound Running Track Meet in Southern California, and both athletes speak about racing together in the 5,000 meters Feb. 1 at the new facility at the Virginia Beach Invitational.

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