Mike Kennedy's daily summary

JUNIOR NATIONALS DAY ONE

Note--Competition conducted under trying conditions with wind, rain, thunder and lightning that results in three long delays and the eventual postponement of a number of events.

MEN

800 (heats)--As usual this proved to be a very tough event for the high schoolers with Timothy Harris of Northwestern (Miami, Fl.) the only prep to advance. Harris won his heat with the fastest time of the day at 1;50.94. Michael McGrath of Oregon and Christopher Haag were impressive heat winners. High schoolers who failed to advance were Michael Haddan of Woodbridge (Irvine, Ca.), sixth in his heat at 1:54.23, Robert Miller of Cinco Ranch (Katy, Tx.) at 1:53.29 and Cody Harper of Albuquerque Academy at 1:54.23.

400 IH (heats)--Brandon Johnson of UCLA, who ran 48.85 to win the Pac-10 championships, was the fastest qualifier at 50.10 in a heat that also saw Chad Thomas of USC advance with a time of 52.54. Kerron Clement of Florida, who has the fastest time in the world this year for a junior (under 20 years of age) at 48.77 and just became a naturalized U.S. citizen this week, won his heat easily in 52.06. Two preps, Kevin Craddock of James Logan (Union City, Ca.) at 52.73 and Julius Jiles of Central (Kansas City, Mo.) at 53.51 qualified by Jason Richardson of Cedar Hill (Tx.), who last week ran 49.77 to win the Adidas Outdoor championships in Raleigh (N.C.) but later in the meet suffered a slight injury in the 110 HH did not advance with his 54.68.

HAMMER THROW
Nick Owens set two American records with the relatively new 6-kilo junior implement and finished with a throw of 234-4, breaking the old record of 219-10 set by Michael Freeman of Manhattan College last year. Corey Martin was second at 220-6 and Nathan Rolfe of Inglemoor (Bothel, Wa.), the first prep, was third at 219-0. Boldizsar Kocsor of University City (San Diego, Ca.) (rich doug please check), was a surprise fourth at 196-2. Kocsor's previous best had been 182-0.

WOMEN

400 (heats)--Natasha Hastings of A.P. Randolph (N.Y.C., N.Y.), who won the World Youth (under 18 ) championships in Sherbrooke, Canada last year, was the leading qualifier at 53.49. Two other members of the World Youth team, Alexandria Anderson of Morgan Park (Chicago), who has run 11.41, 23.48 and 53.10 and Brandi Cross of Marshall (Sugar Land, Tx.) were one-two in heat three at 54.27 and 54.63, beating out Stephanie Smith of South Carolina, the World Youth champion in 2001, how had a best this year of 51.96. Smith did however advance to the final. Deonna Lawrence of Sheldon (Sacramento, Ca.) the state runner up also qualified for the final with a 54.00 but state champion Jasmine Lee of Poly (long Beach), failed to qualify after finishing fourth in her heat with a time of 55.05.

800 (heats)--Six of the nine finalist are high schoolers led by heat winners Trisa Nickoley of Shawnee Heights (Tecumseh, Kn.) at 2:08.50 and Janine Davis of Queen of Peace (North Arlington, N.J.) at 2:08.67. Other preps, who rank in the top six this season, that made the final are, Latavia Thomas of West Catholic (Philadelphia) at 2:09.47, Shannon Leinert of Eureka (Mo.) at 2:08.76; Devon Williams of Towson Catholic (Towson, Md.) at 2:09.20 and Mackenzie Pierce of Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville, N.C.) at 2:09.46. List leader, Sarah Bowman of Faurquir (Warrenton, Va.) is entered in the 1,500. Leslie Treherne of Tennessee won the final heat in 2:09.03 and should provide more than ample competition for the high schoolers.

400 lH (heats)--Nicole Leach of West Cathloic (Philadelphia) and Mackenzie Hill of UCLA were impressive winners in 59.37 and 60.34, respectievly. In addition the Leach, two other preps made the final, Talia Stewart of James Logan (Union City, Ca.), the state champion over 300 hurdles, ran 61.45 and Loreal Smith of Rickards (Tallahasse, Fl.) clocked 62;07 behind Chiquita Martin of South Carolina, who won the heat in 60.68.

DISCUS (final)--Missy Faubus of Centennial (Bakersfield, Ca.) opened with a throw of 165-5 and was never headed. Precious Akins of South Carolina was second after the first round at 154-7 and then dropped to third in the second round when Lindsay Grigoriev of Kansas St. popped a 162-6. After that there were no place changes among the top three although Akins improved to 159-8. D'Andra Carter of Red Oak, the sister of national high school shotput record holder Michelle Carter, was fourth at 158-04.