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AT YOUTH OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS EMILY PRITT
During the Olympic Trials, spectators witness stars such as Tyson Gay, Dawn Harper, Bernard Lagat and Stephanie Brown- Trafton make their Olympic dreams come true. At the USA Youth Outdoor Championships, spectators witness the stars of future Olympics in the making.
More than 2,500 young athletes from across the country met for the USA Youth Championships held in Arlington, Texas, at Maverick Stadium at the University of Texas-Arlington. For many of the young athletes it is their first taste of elite level competition.
In the blistering heat, the stars of tomorrow lit the track on fire as two national records fell during the week long competition to athletes competing in multiple events.
The first record of the week was set by Jaiden Woodbey in the Midget Boys pentathlon. Woodbey (California Rising Stars Track Club) broke the national record with 2,823 points, bettering the old record of 2,802 points set by Devon Blackmon in 2005.
“I just wanted to [get a personal record] in everything,” Woodbey said. “My goal is to get 3,000 points. I want to be better than last year. I always want to excel and get better every day.”
Woodbey showed diverse talent when he won again in the Midget Boys 200m with a time of 25.85. Woodbey added two more national championships to his repertoire, winning the Midget Boys shot put in 11.97m/39-3.25 and 80m hurdles in
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12.07. In total, Woodbey’s week ended with four national championships and a national record to his name.
The second record fell to Kendrick Law in the Sub- Bantam boys 200m. Law (SPARR Track Club) edged out the competition to come away with the win in 28.90. Law’s time bettered the previous record set by Zion Russell in 2011.
Along with the 200m, Law pulled triple event duty by competing in the 100m and long jump where he took second in both events, respectfully.
Many of the athletes will be seen in future Olympic Trials and Olympic Games but will always remember where the beginning was, at the USA Youth Outdoor Championships.
Athletes with qualifying marks will have the opportunity to compete at their Regional meet for the chance to race at the USA National Junior Olympics in Baltimore, Md.