Third-grader James Wreh II made the trip from Massachusetts on Wednesday to compete for a spot on the starting line at the NYRR Millrose Games' Fastest Kid on the Block (8-and-under), and made his first trip to The Armory a successful one. 

Wreh, who attends St. Peter's School in Cambridge, ran 8.43 for the fastest qualifying time. The top eight boys and girls at Wednesday's NYRR Millrose Games Trials advance to the historic NYRR Millrose Games on Feb. 14 at The Armory.

Wreh, who also plays basketball, was fifth in the 200 meters and second in the 400 in the 8-and-under age group at the USATF Junior Olympics last summer in Houston, Texas. 

Representing Metropolis Track Club, Wreh said that LeBron James was his favorite basketball player but that he would prefer to make it to the Olympics some day over playing in the NBA. 

Walter Barrows of NovaStarzz ran 8.58 for the second-fastest time of the day. Barrows is a third grader at the Nurturing Center in Queens and earned his second NYRR Millrose Games berth. He was third last year.

Stephanie Ogunbiyi also earned a return trip to the NYRR Millrose Games by running 8.77 for the fastest girls time of the day in the second of three heats. 

Ogunbiyi, who runs for Zodiacs, is a third-grader at PS 41 in the Bronx and placed fifth at last year's NYRR Millrose Games. 

"I like the big crowd at the Millrose Games," she said. 

Ashley Fulton of Metro Eagles ran 8.78 in the third heat, proving that the final could be very close. 

By Doug Binder // Photo by Karthik Adimula