New Balance Indoor Nationals

The 17-year-old standout, set to embark on her journey at the University of Georgia in the fall, left an indelible mark on her high school track legacy. Her exceptional career at the Montverde Academy, where she was named the Georgia High School Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2022, reached new heights at the national event leading her school to the Girls Championship title.

In her first event, the 60m dash, she secured a silver medal with a swift time of 7.22 seconds. Despite her impressive performance, she finished just behind the outstanding Briana Selby, who set a lightning-fast pace of 7.19 seconds, both athletes eclipsing the previous meet record of 7.26 set the previous year by Shawnti Jackson. Keira Beaumont claimed the third spot with a time of 7.42.

However, Hodge's day was far from over. She continued her dominance in the 200m, storming to victory with a blistering time of 22.96 seconds to successfully defend her title as national champion. Teammate Dasia Reed secured the second position with a time of 23.67, while Sade Gray claimed third place in 23.82.

The crowning glory came as Hodge anchored the Montverde Academy's 4x400m team, running the lead-off leg that propelled them to a gold-medal triumph and a new championship record of 3:38.18. Hodge's split time of 55.84 set the tone for a stellar performance, showcasing her versatility and strength.

The team's talented athletes, including Michelle Smith from the US Virgin Islands, contributed significantly to the record-setting feat. Smith clocked 52.81 in the second leg, followed by Alivia Williams with 54.13 in the third leg, and Dasia Reed anchoring with 55.42.

The gold-medal-winning effort not only secured a momentous victory for Montverde Academy but also shattered their own previous record of 3:45.69, set just a year ago. Bullis claimed the silver medal with a time of 3:41.58, also inside the previous record, while Union Catholic TC secured the third position in 3:47.59.

Hodge's outstanding performance at the New Balance Indoor Nationals serves as a fitting tribute to her high school indoor track career, setting the stage for her outdoor season and ultimately, a promising future at the University of Georgia.

Hodge, who starred at the 2022 Carifta Games in Jamaica where she won the coveted Austin Sealy Award, sped to 22.33 in commanding performance. She won by more than 0.5 seconds over Madison Whyte, who won the silver medal in a time of 23.08.

Elise Cooper was third in 23.42.

"I just came off the curve and just let everything on the track," the Montverde High School junior told MileSplit.

Her school coach Gerald Phiri was equally stunned.

"I don't know when we're going to see athletes like this ever again," he told the track and field website. "I think it's going to be a very long time."

Hodge’s splits were mind-numbing. It took her 6.31s to get to 50m, was at the 100m mark in 11.26 and got to 150 in 17.07.

As a 15-year-old Hodge lit up the track in Jamaica last April when she won the 100m in 11.29 and the 200m in 23.42. In between, she claimed long jump gold and was named most outstanding athlete at the 49^th staging of the Games.