Despite completing challenge at 4,550 feet elevation, former three-time Utah state basketball champion Orton lowers July mark set by Masciarelli by 10 seconds; Camp-Bennett also faster than old standard with altitude conversion

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The motivation to make history in the basketball mile world record reached the rarefied air of Provo, Utah, with Brigham Young All-Americans Whittni Orton and Anna Camp-Bennett dribbling their way to all-time performances Friday at the school’s Clarence F. Robison Track and Field Complex.

Orton completed the basketball mile in 4 minutes, 58.56 seconds, eclipsing the July 24 record of 5:08.57 by Sydney Masciarelli, a senior at Marianapolis Prep in Connecticut who has verbally committed to the University of North Carolina.

With Orton relying primarily on her right-hand dribble while running at 4,550 feet elevation, the altitude conversation for her mile adjusts to 4:52.71.

Camp-Bennett clocked 5:10.37, which converts to 5:04.28 with the altitude adjustment.

WATCH VIDEO (courtesy of Brigham Young)

Tennessee Tremain, a 16-year-old rising senior at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute in Ontario, Canada, set the men’s basketball mile world record July 18 by clocking 4:33.9.

In addition to her success in track and cross country, Orton led Panguitch High to three consecutive Utah High School Activities Association 1A state basketball titles from 2014-16.

During her prep career, Orton contributed to the Bobcats’ 64-game winning streak, which is the second-longest unbeaten girls basketball run in state history.

Camp-Bennett led Millard High in scoring her senior year and guided the Eagles to the 2A state quarterfinals in 2016.

Orton, a seven-time All-American, placed seventh at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships and Camp-Bennett finished 60th for the runner-up Cougars in November in Terre Haute, Ind.

Orton boasts an indoor personal-best 4:29.76 in the mile, in addition to running 4:47.16 outdoors in Provo in 2018.

Camp-Bennett, a two-time All-American, has run 4:38.54 for the indoor mile and 4:44.13 outdoors in Los Angeles in 2018.