USA 2001 Youth Athletics National Championships
Kick Off in Decatur
USAT&F Release
3
July 2001 – Decatur, Illinois - More
than 2,500 of the country’s top youth track and field athletes are in Decatur, Ill.,
for the 2001 USA Track & Field Youth Athletics National Championships that began
competition today on the campus of Millikin University.
The competition continues through July 7.
Part of the Verizon Youth Series, this meet will also serve as the final
tune up for 53 athletes chosen to represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Youth Championships
in Debrecen, Hungary, July 12-15.
Today’s competition consisted of the youth boys and girls pentathlon as well as first day of the heptathlon and decathlon events in addition to the finals of the intermediate boys and young men’s 2000m steeplechase, along with the youth, bantam and midget race walks.
After the first day of competition, two members of the U.S. team heading to Hungary are leading their respective multi-events. Jacquelyn Johnson, of the Yuma Valley Flyers (Ariz.), is leading the young women’s heptathlon with 2944 points. Johnson is the national record holder for the young girls pentathlon and intermediate girls heptathlon. Kansan Eric Black is leading the young men’s decathlon with 3244 points.
In other combined events competition, Chelsee Marvin (Saline Spartans) captured the youth girls pentathlon (2709), while Terrence Austin (Long Beach Sprinters) won the youth boys pentathlon (3029). Loren Groves (Jefferson County Jets) leads the intermediate girls heptathlon (2407) and Kalen Schiedt (Northside Red Runners) leads the intermediate boys decathlon (3025).
There were nine finals contested in Tuesday’s competition. Sean Reilly (Northside Red Runners) won the intermediate boys 2000m steeplechase in 6 minutes, 18.75 seconds, while Erik Amidsen (West Valley Eagles) won the young men’s 2000m steeplechase. In race walk competition, Keelin Yenny (Sterling Track Club) won the young girls 3000m race walk in 16 minutes, 25.09 seconds.
Paul Regul (Elgin Sharks) won the young boys 3000m race walk in 15 minutes, 43.61 seconds. Also from the Elgin Sharks, Irais Villa, won the bantam girls 1500m race walk (9:36.76) and Kyle Regul won the bantam boys 1500m race walk (8:38.66). In midget competition, Amanda Huff (Kentucky Racers) won the girls 1500m race walk (8:46.45) while Eric Lawson (Elgin Sharks) won the boys 1500m race walk (8:03.34).
In order to be eligible to compete at the 2001 USA Track & Field Youth Athletics Championships, a competitor must be a U.S. citizen and born after July 29, 1982. The athletes compete in one of five age divisions, determined by birth year: Bantam (1991 or later), Midget (1989-1990), Youth (1987-1988), Intermediate (1985-86) and Young Men/Women (1983-84).
The combined events will wrap up tomorrow along with race walks for the intermediate and youth athletes. The midget, youth, intermediate and young women and young men will compete in the 4x800m relays.
For more information on the 2001 USA Track & Field Youth Athletics National Championships and the Verizon Youth Series, including results, visit the USATF Web site at www.usatf.org.
