Angelina Napoleon, a North Carolina State commit from Allegany-Limestone High in New York and the national high school and American Under-20 record holder in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at 6:18.41 and the reigning New Balance Nationals Outdoor champion, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss receiving Gatorade Girls Track and Field National Player of the Year recognition as well as competing July 8-9 at the USATF U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Napoleon, who ranks No. 2 in American history in the 2,000 steeplechase, is stepping up to the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the first time in her career July 8 along with being scheduled to compete July 9 in the 1,500 meters. She is pursuing the national prep all-time mark in the 3,000 steeplechase of 10:00.72 established by Brianna Nerud of North Shore High in New York at the 2012 World U20 Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Madie Boreman, a former All-American at Colorado, achieved the American U20 record of 9:46.48 at the 2017 NCAA Division 1 Championships. Napoleon is the only female athlete in U.S. history to run sub-6:20 three times, including 6:19.53 on June 16 at New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia. She is also the only American girls competitor to run under 6:20 in the 2,000 steeplechase, in addition to producing a sub-2:04 performance in the 800 meters. Napoleon clocked 2:03.97 to capture the New York Federation title, in addition to finishing second in the New Balance Nationals final June 18 in 2:05.53. She shares her pride for joining North Rockland High graduate and North Carolina State standout Katelyn Tuohy as the only other New York girls prep track and field athlete to receive the Gatorade national award since its inception in 1986. Napoleon also examines her decision-making process in potentially competing for the U.S. on Aug. 4-6 at the Pan American U20 Championships in Costa Rica. She expresses gratitude for the support from her family, teammates, friends and Allegany-Limestone coach Kathy Stamets, who helped her develop into an elite steeplechase competitor in the past two seasons after several years of being an accomplished dancer, as well as Napoleon being a 5-7 (1.70m) high jumper.