Karina Ernst had Colorado's top individual finish at NBON this weekend with a 4:52.84 mile for fourth place in that event. Photo by Jeff Adams/MileSplit.
As we publish these Ostrava journals and Q&A's with PA stars Ryann Krais and Chanelle Price, one of these talented athletes is headed for the mountains of NY to volunteer in helping to build a house, and the other will soon be headed west for her final meet of the season in the USATF Junior Olympics. But despite traveling in different directions as July and their junior year's wane, these rising seniors have had the seasons of their dreams. Krais, of Methacton High School in Norristown, had not broken 59 seconds in the 400 hurdles before a breakthrough race in winning the Penn Relays invitational event in 58.93. Since then, she has run five races faster; four of which were in the 57's; and set a state record of 57.20 with her finals at USATF Juniors in late June. The record had been held by current USA World Team member Nicole Leach, a UCLA sophomore. Krais then captured a Bronze at the IAAF World's with a 57.50. Making her 57.20 even more impressive was the fact that is followed her all-time U.S. junior class record in the heptathlon, scoring 5377 points. Price, of Easton High School, showed signs of the coming special outdoor season with the #3 all-time indoor 800 of 2:04.96. But no one, including her, expected her solo 2:02.76 in winning the Nike Outdoor Nationals in mid-June. That performance had been set up with a 2:04.24 against a world-class Jamaican runner in New York. Armed with increasing confidence, Price entered the USATF Championships to race against the best 800 runners in the country. She survived three races over four days, culminating with another PR of 2:02.38 in the finals, the #3 prep mark of all-time. (And #2 in PA behind US record holder Kim Gallagher, 2:00.07).
University of South Carolina bound sprinter traveling to BrazilPhoto provided
Andrews rising senior Marcus Pope (Team NSSF) finished first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 52.85 at Caribbean Scholastic Invitational in Puerto Rico Saturday.
INDIANAPOLIS --- ULM sophomore Natasha Washington finished 16th in the women's triple jump, while freshman-to-be Brittany Culver finished 16th in the women's 100-meter hurdles at the USA Junior National Track & Field Championships over the weekend in Indianapolis.
Evan Crowdus, 17, of Morganfield, Kentucky, walked a 53:30.56 to finish fourth in the Junior Men's 10K Racewalk at the USA Track and Field Championships Saturday in Indianapolis.
Providing updates as results are made available of Virginian participants at the USATF Junior Nationals including current high schoolers as well as past Virginian preps competing now as collegiate freshmen. Two class of 2006 Virginian preps claimed US Junior National titles as freshmen this week in Indianapolis as University of Virginia freshmen and former runner at Broad Run High School in Stephanie Garcia claimed the 3K steeplechase title on Friday in 10:26.41, while Hermitage High alum and Virginia Tech freshmen Queen Harrison will be competing in both hurdle events at the Pan Am Junior Championships in Brazil by winning Saturday's 400 meter hurdles finals in 56.86 to go along with runner-up finish in the 100 meter hurdles on Thursday. In conjunction with the USATF Junior Nationals, the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships are also being contested and several past Virginian high school stars have already made the World team. Lashawn Merritt, only three years removed from high school at Woodrow Wilson, was a US Nationals runner-up in the senior men's 400 meter dash in 44.08 to secure his spot on the US team for the World Championships. Merritt was a World silver medalist in the event last summer. Meanwhile, Yvette Lewis, former high school star at both Menchville and Denbigh High in Newport News, performed well in her first meet as a profesional after college by making the World team in the triple jump with a second place finish (44'7"). Gar-Field alum Sheena Johnson and South Lakes alum Alan Webb in the 400 meter hurdles and 1500 meter run respectively, are top qualifiers and strong contenders to take US titles in the finals of their events on Sunday. Live ResultsInterview with Queen Harrison - Virginia Tech freshmen Queen Harrison has already earn herself a ticket to the Brazil for the Pan Am Junior Championships after a top two finish in the finals of the 100 meter hurdles at the USATF Junior National Championships today in Indianapolis. She now quickly shifts her attention to the 400 meter hurdles on Friday as she is heavily favored to become Virginia's next US Junior Nationals Champ as the top seed with a US juniors #3 all-time performance of 55.81 from her All-American third place finish at the NCAA Championships. The Hermitage High School graduate has well exceeded her expectations going into this year and is not looking to slow down anytime soon as the currently the fastest junior (19 & under) 400 meter hurdler in the World currently. MileStat.com's Brandon Miles was fortunate to interview in between her 100 meter hurdles finals on Thursday and her 400 meter hurdles prelims on Friday.History of USATF Junior National champions from Virginia - With the Junior National Championships coming up this week in conjunction with the Senior Nationals here is a list of past champions that attended high school in Virginia.
Sunday's finals - that's elite company that Price kept this weekend - photo by Victor Sailor, PhotoRun Day Five Chanelle Price earned her shot in the finals of the Women's 800 in the senior race at the USATF T&F Champs. She led through the 400 in 57.4, but at the 450, the older runners Johnson, Clark and Schmidt took charge. Price fought back, and was in the top four past the 600 mark. She would finish 7th in a PR of 2:02.38. In the 400 Hurdles, West Catholic grad Nicole Leach made the A standard and finished 3rd in 54.49, while Harrisburg grad Dominique Darden was 7th in 57.29. Norristown grad Michael Whitehead took 9th in the Men's triple jump, leaping 51-11.25. Day Four Ryann Krais capped her best meet ever with a state all-time best of 57.20 in taking 2nd in the 400 hurdles. The mark eclipses the 57.25 high school mark run by UCLA sophomore Nicole Leach, who advanced to the finals in the Seniors 400H in 56.00. Harrisburg HS, Miami U. grad Dominique Darden also advanced, running 56.20 in the same heat. Norristown grad Courtney Clark did not advance from the semis. In the junior women's 400 finals, South Carolina-bound Breehana Jacobs, a graduate of Laurel Highlands, captured 3rd, running 53.41. Haverford Township grad Shayne Culpepper was never in the race, finishing 11th in the 1500m finals in 4:22.35. Central Dauphin grad Ryan Whiting took 15th in the shot put with a throw of 60-09.50. For Days One, Two & Three highlights, click the headline.
Seneca graduate Kya Brookins third in 100 (11.46) at USATF Junior Nationals Next weekend, KB Brown benefit meet at Greenville HighMasters female results Masters male results Candlelight Run Photo gallery Overall 5k Age group
Photos by Vic Sailor of PA athletes at the June 20-24 USATF JR/SR Championships, Indianapolis, IN
Photo of Chanelle Price leading Alice Schmidt in the semis of the 800 - by Victor Salior, PhotoRun.Net 16 year old athletes simply don't waltz onto the national stage and compete well their first time at the biggest show in the U.S. - the USATF Track & Field Championships. But make no mistake, Chanelle Price isn't just another athlete. She is prepared, both mentally and physically, for what she is facing this week in Indianapolis.
Photos by Victor Sailor, PhotoRun.net, of Pennsylvania athletes at the June 20-24 USATF Junior and Senior Track & Field Championships, Indianapolis, Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS – Northwestern State's Trecey Rew completed her competition at the 2007 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday with a 15th place in the discuss throw.
Indianapolis, In.-- McNeese State's Chris Hill won the USA Junior National Championship title here Friday afternoon with a throw of 226'-09. The freshman from Sulphur, LA. will move on to compete at the World Championship next month (July 6-8) in Saopaulo, Brazil. "It wasn't my best day but I am very happy to make the USA team," said Hill.
NDIANAPOLIS -- LSU freshman LaTavia Thomas staked her claim as the premier young half-miler in the country as she captured the 800-meter title at the 2007 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday at the Michael A. Carroll Track Stadium
Friday start list to the USATF Junior Nationals with Virginian preps and former Virginian preps highlighted in BOLD.
Virginia Tech freshmen Queen Harrison has already earn herself a ticket to the Brazil for the Pan Am Junior Championships after a top two finish in the finals of the 100 meter hurdles at the USATF Junior National Championships today in Indianapolis. She now quickly shifts her attention to the 400 meter hurdles on Friday as she is heavily favored to become Virginia's next US Junior Nationals Champ as the top seed with a US juniors #3 all-time performance of 55.81 from her All-American third place finish at the NCAA Championships. The Hermitage High School graduate has well exceeded her expectations going into this year and is not looking to slow down anytime soon as the currently the fastest junior (19 & under) 400 meter hurdler in the World currently. MileStat.com's Brandon Miles was fortunate to interview in between her 100 meter hurdles finals on Thursday and her 400 meter hurdles prelims on Friday. (Photo from hokiesports.com)
I just received word from Steve Underwood of Dyestat, who is at the meet in Indianapolis, that Miami Columbus senior Michael Putman won the Shot Put at the USATF Junior Nationals. Putman threw the heavy ball, which is a heavier weight than the standard high school shot, 61 feet and change. This is a big win for him, coming against collegiate athletes as well as other high school peers. Making Putman's toss even more impressive, his hand has been injured and he has been unable to throw all week. Going in he was unsure if he would even be able to compete. With the win at this meet, he qualifies to represent the US at the Pan American Junior Championships next month in Brazil. Congrats, Michael!
INDIANAPOLIS – Northwestern State freshman Trecey Rew had a top 10 finish in Thursday’s shot put event at the 2007 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
BATON ROUGE -- Freshmen standouts LaTavia Thomas and Katelyn Rodrigue lead a contingent of four LSU athletes who are set to compete at the 2007 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships beginning Wednesday in Indianapolis.
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State freshman Trecey Rew will head to the Finish Line USA Junior Track and Field Championships next week hoping to qualify to compete on the national team Pan American Junior Games this summer in Brazil.