Nearly 400 young athletes from across the country traveled to Normal, Ill. to compete in the 2nd edition of the USATF National Youth Indoor Track & Field Championships. From the youngest athletes at six years old enjoying their first national meet, to eighteen year olds savoring their last indoor track meet as a high school athlete, the championships were special for everyone.
Nearly one hundred national championship titles were awarded, and dozens of athletes enjoyed adding their name to the record books with meet records.
Among the many champions, top performances were turned in by Drew Hines who won the sub-bantam girls 55m, 200m and 400m; Greg Moschella who won the youth boys triple jump and 400m; Zoe Gilbertson who won the youth girls 55m hurdles and high jump and Zachary Kinne who won the midget boys 800m, 1500m and 3,000m.
While there were plenty of spectacular performances on the track and in the field, the most impressive performances were those between the athletes. When an athlete was lapped in a race, no one snickered, but instead the athletes encouraged one another until the last person crossed the line. When an athlete finished first, there was not boasting nor chanting, but rather sportsmanship and handshakes for each competitor in the race.
Full results and more information on USATF youth programs can be found at www.usatf.org.