Knoxville, Tenn., - Members of Team USA that will compete at the World Youth Championships in Morocco shined on the fourth day of competition at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee.
World youth team member Kamorean Hayes of Charlotte, N.C., tossed 45.80 meters/150 feet, 3 inches to win the intermediate girls division. "I expected a lot more than I gave, but I'm happy," said Hayes. The 15-year-old, Hayes faced a fierce competition from Amber-Paige Newby of Colorado City, Texas who finished in a close second with a toss of 44.93m/147-5. The Harding University High School junior, Hayes will attempt a personal best in Saturday's shot put competition. "I'm excited and I am trying to get it all together mentally," Hayes continued.
World youth team member Bianca Knight of Mississippi ran 11.66 seconds clocking the fastest qualifying time by any female in today's 100m preliminary round. The 16-year-old Knight is favored to win the 100m crown in the intermediate girls division. Khrystal Carter of San Jose, Calif., ran the second fastest qualifying time by a female in today's competition clocking 11.78 seconds winning her heat in the young womens division.
Elsewhere in the intermediate girls division, world youth team members April Williams of Dallas, Texas, ran the fastest qualifying time in the 400m hurdles (1:02.31) while Ebony Collins of Los Angeles, Calif., clocked the second fastest time in both the 400m hurdles (1:02.71) and 100m (11.77).
Timothy Grier of Powder Springs, Ga., leaped 7.20m/23-7.5 to win the young mens long jump title. Corey Webster (7.12m/23-4.5) of the Durham Striders Track Club finished second followed by David Kelch (6.90m/22-7.75) of San Ramon, Calif. Both Grier and Kelch will compete in the long jump event at the World Youth Championships.
Other Team USA members in today's 400 meters action include Brandi Cross of Dallas, Texas clocking the fastest qualifying time of 54.62 in the young women's division, while Bryshon Nellum clocked 49.98 in the intermediate boys division to advance. Elan Hilaire clocked 55.99 in the intermediate girls division and Zach Chandy clocked 48.49 in the young mens division with all advancing.
Nicole Jones of Houston, Texas, ran 4:32.86 to clock the fastest qualifying time in the intermediate girls 1,500m competition.
Taylor Troemel of Bloomington, Ill., celebrated her 17th birthday a week early after winning her first championship in the pole vault. The 16-year-old cleared 3.55m/11-7.75 to win the young womens division. "I'm happy (for the win) even though I didn't PR, but I took the week off from training," said Troemel. "I am excited to win my first championship, especially finishing in third-place indoors and outdoors at (Illinois) state championships," Troemel continued.
In his final tune-up for the Junior Olympics in Indianapolis, Indiana native Benjamin Stephen added another championship to his medal table after winning the intermediate boys discus throw competition. "I wanted to use this meet to get ready for the Junior Olympics," said Stephen. The 16-year-old from Union County High School tossed 49.67m/162-11 to dominate the field. "I performed pretty well and I'm happy with my mark. I scratched on my farthest throw," Stephen continued.
Samantha Musil of Dubois, Neb., surprised herself with a toss of 42.07m/138-0 to win the discus throw young womens division. "I didn't expect it (the win) because of the level of competition," said Musil. The 17-year-old Musil battled her fellow Cornhusker teammate Kacie Beachler (39.51m/129-7) who finished in second-place.
Toddrick Darden of the Supersonics Track Club leaped 12.03m/39-05.75 to win the youth boys triple jump title in a highly contested competition over runner-up Jarrett Blakeney (11.88m/38-11.75) of Char Flights Track Club. |
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