Talking Points: Efraimson, Cain showdown set at Millrose Games

1.

It might be the best showdown between high school runners in years.

Camas junior Alexa Efraimson will face Mary Cain on Feb. 15 at the Millrose Games in New York. Both will be part of a world-class field in the Wanamaker Mile.

Last year, as a high school junior, Cain finished second in the Millrose mile in a high school record 4:28.25.

Efraimson won the Nike Cross Country Nationals in December. She admires Cain, who decided to skip college and run professionally for the Nike Oregon Project.

“She helps set the stage for giving more opportunity to women.” Efraimson told DyeStat.com.

2.

To Russia for love.

White Salmon native Vic Wild was mentioned in the Feb. 3 issue of Sports Illustrated under the headline “Rarest expat.”

A snowboarder, Wild gave up his spot on the U.S. Olympic team after marrying Russian snowboarding champ Alena Zavarzina.

He acquired Russian citizenship and will ride for that country in Sochi. Both Wild and his wife will compete in the new parallel slalom event.

Speaking of which, it’s hard to keep up with these new events. What’s next, synchronized snowboarding?