*First in a series of short stories on California's prep qualifiers to the U.S. Olympic Trials.*

New American Juniors Recordholder
Brittany Daniels headlines U.S. prep
contingent at 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials!

44 feet, 11.75 inches is the new record airspace Merrill West High's
Brittany Daniels has taken the triple jump event to this spring!
Congratulations, Brittany!!!

By Richard Gonzalez, DyeStatCal
      Merrill West High coach John Harvey has been telling us for some time now that Brittany Daniels was
something special on the triple jump runway. But 44 feet, 11.75 inches??? "Well, I told you she'd open everyone's eyes before the year was out," Harvey reminded us recently.
       Now, the 16-year-old mega-talent will get to fulfill her eight-year-long goal of competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacamento, a blockbuster Who's Who showcase considered the globe's pinnacle qualifying meet for the Athens Games later this summer. Daniels punched her ticket to the Trials by delivering the aforementioned record leap at the U.S. Junior Nationals in Austin, Texas last weekend. Her historic leap came in the third round, during qualifying, as she rode a legal 1.4 meters-per-second wind at her back to a set of records. She smashed the high school all-time standard by an amazing 9 1/2 inches and the American Junior (age-19-and-under) all-time best by an astounding five full inches.
        "When she hit the sand I jumped out of my seat and screamed out, 'That's it, Brittany! That's the one!,' " shared Harvey via in Instant Message conversation days after the meet.
        The scary thing is, who knows of she could have gone even farther? She had three rounds to go in the Finals, but was unable to complete her series, pretty much due to Mother Nature and an airline conflict. It turns out that the fast-approaching storm forced a rain delay, with a pending flight just a couple of hours away, causing Daniels and her family to bypass the finals and make sure they made the return trip on time. That decision was made all the easier thanks to Daniels already securing her main goal a few weeks before.
         "When Brittany jumped 44-0 over a month ago, she was leaning towards doing the Olympic Trials regardless of the outcome in Texas," shared Harvey. "This kid has great focus and realizes the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious meet and remember its "The Olympic Trials"... This is a dream that Brittany has had since she started youth track over eight years ago."
          Although Daniels had the option of trekking to Italy for top-flight youth competition at the World Junior Championships later this summer, she instead has selected the excitement and satisfaction of sharing an earned spot on the competition platform alongside some of the most recognized names in our sport today! Adding an extra special bonus to the opportunity is the fact that she will be able to compete in front of a throng of well-wishers.
           "Brittany's family, friends, teammates, teachers and many people from Tracy, Stockton and other local towns have contacted us saying they will be there to support her," Harvey said. "It should be a comfortable feeling for her to see many familiar faces."
          On the current entry list for the women's triple jump, Daniels' recent metric equivalent to her 44-11.75 leap (13.71 meters) currently ranks her ninth among the esteemed 12 automatic qualifers thus far, with another 16 individuals satisfying the less-stringent "provisional" standard at this point. While Daniels has already guaranteed her spot, those 16 must wait to see their final ranking once all entry marks are submitted and the entries are finalized on July 1st, then hope they receive the provisional berths that fill out the 24-athlete field.
          Harvey stated he will take Daniels to Sacramento a few days before the start of her event, in order to "get the nerves out and let her get ready for 'the show'." No one knows for certain how the Trials will play out. Not only for Brittany, but for any other American athlete taking part. That's part of the intrigue and drama surrounding the awesome spectacle of the event.
           We wish for her the very best, especially some very lasting memories, the support and encouragement from many, and the peace of mind in knowing she is already one of America's premier female athletes -- not to mention a source of immense pride for her family, her school, and her community.
           Best wishes at "The Trials", Brittany!