World Youth Championships - July 16-18, 1999 at Bydgoszcz Poland
LaShauntea
Moore interview
Gold Medalist -
World Youth 200 Meters
by Doug Speck
LaShauntea Moore of Ohio breaks on top of 200 meter final
(Photo by Doug Speck)
The slender long-striding lass with the quick smile, flying
hair and
braces from Akron, Ohio, LaShauntea Moore, really took Bydoszcz, Poland, the
site of the First World Youth Championships, by storm this past weekend.
During each of the three rounds of the 200 meter event Moore came from behind
with a determined stretch drive that eventually resulted in the first Gold
Medal won by the U.S. team in this three day competition. This backed up her
fourth place effort in the 100 meters after successes there in the early
rounds.
Moore recently finished her sophomore (10th grade) year at Bishop Hoban
High School in Akron, Ohio. During a spring season that included winning the
Ohio State Championship in her division over 200 meters and placing second over
100 meters, she established herself as one of the Midwest US's top prep
sprinters. She would at that time considered herself far from a World Champion
at her age level! That status would change big- time this weekend in Poland.
After a first day of success over 100 meters (fourth in the final there after
"come from behind" efforts that had her take Heat and Semi races),
Moore
settled in over the half lap distance. Blasting heat and semi-final wins, the
latter in 23.29, among the top twenty-five ever U.S. High- Schoolers, Moore
dropped her yearly best by over a second!!! Her dominance on the clock going
into the Finals made her the overwhelming favorite at this distance, and she
made true on the promise she had shown, blasting the straightaway to run past
early leader Melanie Walker (Jamaica) and win in 23.38. When asked why she was
running so much faster this summer than during the school year, she replied,
"I
have been doing much more speed work this summer than during the regular school
season."
After catching her breath (and shedding a few tears on the victory stand)
Moore spoke with the gathered press in Poland.
Moore stated her long-term ambitions are to represent her nation in the
Olympics and eventually take down Florence Griffith-Joyner's 200 meter World
Record. Her moher was also a successful athlete in the sport of Track and
Field. Hobbies include shopping and talking on the phone. She grudgingly
admitted she did have a boyfriend, who is a basketball player. When asked
about the trip to Poland she replied that the food is certainly different than
in the States, but she enjoyed the trip overall. She stated her tears shed on
the awards stand came from winning what she felt was the year's biggest meet
after accomplishing only local area high school successes during the regular
season. When asked what advice she could give to other upcoming young
athletes, she stated, "Stay focused on what you need to do and stick with
it."
When asked about possible college choices after high school graduation she
indicated interest in the University of Texas Longhorns, stating that they had
a very good program and coaches she would enjoy workin with.
The slender star with the easy smile won over everyone she came in contact
with in Poland, with autograph seekers and parents hoping to pose their child
with the sprint champion a pleasure to observe.
