In a year of extraordinary opportunities for the National Scholastic Athletic Foundation’s Project Javelin and Project Triple Jump athletes, this long weekend soon to complete has been historic for these groups, unique in scope and very special in venue.

The NSAF brought all 16 of its Project athletes to Chula Vista, California (near San Diego) last Friday to engage in four days of training at the United States Olympic Training Center – a beautiful facility surrounded by mountains and lakes that support and even houses many of the nation’s finest athletes preparing for Olympic opportunities ahead. 

This is the first time the Foundation has brought together all of its athletes from both elite athlete Projects to train together and try and mesh their “communities.”  This event comes a week after the New Balance Nationals Outdoor, where nearly all of the Project athletes competed, and after all of the high school competition for the season.  However, most of the athletes will continue competing into the summer, with a large handful headed to Eugene in a few weeks to vie for Team USA spots for the IAAF World Juniors, also in Eugene later in July.  Others have started and will continue to participate in Junior Olympic competition.

As always, the athletes came here to train under our outstanding Project coaches.  The javelin throwers are learning from former Olympian and U.S record-holder Tom Pukstys, 1972 Olympic medalist and NSAF board member Bill Schmidt and aspiring Olympian Barry Krammes.  The triple jumpers are under the tutelage of Bahamas national coach Peter Pratt and Project Coordinator and Dallas-based coach Macka Jones.

And while here, they’ve also had an opportunity to learn from, observe and/or meet Olympians and aspiring Olympians like Will Claye, Joe Kovacs, Eric Werskey, Tia Brooks and others, as well as coaches like Art Venegas, Mac Wilkins and Tonie Campbell, among others.

As they prepared last week to come to Chula Vista, athletes and coaches alike were excited about the opportunity.

Said veteran Project Javelin athlete Kristen Clark (Reston, LA senior):  “I was really looking forward to this weekend because of how much of an honor it is to even train there.  Most Olympic athletes jump right into the Olympic Training Center not ever experiencing anything like it before, but I will have already not only experienced the United States Olympic Training Center, but Finland's as well. You really can't get much better coaching then at the Olympic level and it is such an honor to experience it as a senior in high school.

“I really just want to be like a sponge the rest of my time in the program.  I want to fully take in all of these awesome opportunities and not only learn, but enjoy myself.  I'm coming into these camps with a different mindset then last year, because I am going to throw in college next year and I will have a coach who knows what he's talking about.  But you really can't beat moments like these when you are doing the thing you love with people who are equally as passionate about it as you are.”

From Coach Barry Krammes:  “What I am excited about the OTC is that the coaches have pin-pointed some individual technical improvements from the New Balance and New Mexico (Great Southwest) meets and now we have some time to implement those changes before their next big meets.  Trying to get the athletes to make quick changes before a meet is tough, but this allows us the time to get the changes to stick.  So I'm excited to go to work and apply the technical improvements that the Coach Jeff Gorski and the coaches staff have suggested.”

Project Triple Jump athlete KeAndre Bates (El Paso Burges, TX senior) had this to say:  “This trip has been on the top of the list since I first heard of it!  For one, it's the freaking OLYMPIC Training Center!  Then it's in California, which couldn't be any better!  I can't wait for our ‘surprise’ as well.

“The past two weeks (NBNO and GSW) have very successful, I would say – mostly speaking of the first week, because I jumped my first 24 in long jump and jumped a US #1 in triple and also PR'd in high jump – so that was successful!  These past two weeks have showed, even if I didn't do as good at NBON, that I can still jump and that I haven't lost it – because I always need a confidence booster!  I want to jump a 52 and hopefully a high 24 – or just a regular old 25 to cap off the season.”

Along with KeAndre, the other Project Triple Jump athletes are Keturah Orji, Darrielle McQueen, Chinne Okoronkwo, Ja’Mari Ward, Felicienne Axel, Nashedah Mu’min and Arielle Mack.  Along with Kristen, the other Project Javelin athletes are Tairyn Montgomery, Katelyn Gochenour, Sophia Rivera, Todd Ogden, Emma Fitzgerald, Trevor Danielson and Grayson Hill.

Coming later this week:  A wrapup of the Chula Vista weekend and a review and look ahead for each Project athlete.

Jim Spier's U.S. Junior team for World Juniors - Form Chart, June 24

Jim Spier's U.S. Junior team for World Juniors - Form Chart, June 27

(updated after Junior heptathlon and decathlon, plus recent declarations)

Event-by-event previews for the men's track events at the 2014 USATF Juniors in Eugene (women's track, men's and women's field events coming).  Top two in each event qualify for the World Junior Champs later this month on the same track (provided they meet the performance standard).

100m dash

No aspirants for the Team USA squad for Eugene seem more ready for World Championship stardom than Baylor freshman Trayvon Bromell.  His killer senior year at Gibbs (St. Petersberg, FL) HS in 2013 included an impressive run to a 3A Florida title, a fast Golden South win, a disappointing 5th in the adidas GP Dream 100, but then a sequence that included a legendary 9.99w at Great Southwest, a New Balance Nationals Outdoor (NBNO) triumph into a headwind, a Juniors win into a huge headwind, then a bronze at the Pan Am Juniors in August.  But that was just the preface to his stellar 2014 at Baylor, which first opened eyes with his 10.02 Texas Relays win, a 9.77w at Big 12s with the friendly altitude of Lubbock, then a World Junior Record 9.97 NCAA title – the first by a frosh since Walter Dix in 2005.  To say he stands as the WJ favorite in 3-plus weeks is an understatement.

Which brings us to our top prep, Trentavis Friday (GJTC), the unbeaten Cherryville, NC senior who with his 10.17 PR would be the favorite at many Junior meets over the years.  2013 was a groundbreaking year for Friday, too, though many of his performances were trailing Bromell – like Golden South, NBNO and adidas.  In 2014, he’s been unpressed in bursting to his blazing New Balance Nationals Indoor (NBNI) 60/200 double and NBNO 200 crown.  He is, in fact, the 200 favorite (see below), but in the 100 will face a great challenge that could push him to new heights.

And the 100 field shall not be lacking for quality Team USA suitors, should either of the above two falter.  The top collegiate contender would be Jalen Miller, the Ole Miss frosh who has run 10.24 this year – improving significantly from his days with Rosa Fort HS in Mississippi 4A.  Florida prep stars Kendal Williams (1st Coast TC/Stanton Prep senior) and Terry Jernigan (Life Speed/East Ridge senior).  Williams led the nation much of the spring with his 10.28 best, won 3A state and then the adidas race.  Jernigan lost only to Williams before his state 4A crown, then won Golden South (10.27), was 3rd behind Williams at adidas, then 2nd at Brooks behind Christian Coleman.  All of these contenders have a good shot at repping Team USA in the 4x100.

200m dash

As mentioned above, Friday is the man to beat at 200.  There is no Bromell, but Friday would still be the favorite even if the Baylor frosh was present – it’s arguably Friday’s better event.  His NBNI victory made him #2 all-time prep undercover and his US#1 20.33 outdoors is #7 all-time.  He won the NBNO race with a 20.41 into a headwind and by a huge margin of nearly .60. 

The half lap is also Kendal Williams’ better event, it seems, and he has a great chance to make the team here.  His 20.55 to win Golden South led the nation at the time and is still US#2.  Both he and Bromell were actually DQ’d in the 200 prelims at Juniors last year, when Williams was also a favorite to make Team USA, so that could motivate him.

Ole Miss’s Miller is also in this event, with a 20.76 best.  Also look out for college frosh like Robert Ellis III (American River (Ca.) JC/Antelope, CA, HS) at 20.79 (also in 100); Michael Cheeks, Jr. (Auburn frosh/Mill Creek, GA, HS) at 20.82, and Joshua Washington (Richard Bland/Forest Park, VA, HS) at 20.83; and preps like NBNO 3rd-place finisher Quashawn Cunningham (Mallard Creek, NC senior) at 21.04 (also in 100), NBNO 6th-place finisher Ivy Dobson (Arbor View, NV senior) at 21.01; NBNO 400 champ Josephus Lyles (T.C. Williams, VA soph) and NBNO 400H runner-up Robert Grant (Brophy Prep, AZ senior).

400m dash

Florida State frosh Michael Cherry was the big man in the prep 400 last year while at Oscar Smith HS in VA.  He won the NBNI 400 (and was 2nd in the 200) during an epic undercover campaign that included an HSR at 300 and a US#1 at 500.  Outdoors, he hit a US#1 46.02 and won NBNO at 46.06.  His first campaign at FSU has been pretty solid, too, with two sub-46s and a best of 45.37.  As the only sub-46 entry, if he’s healthy and ready at the line, he’s the solid favorite.

The other top contenders over a full lap are also collegians.  Lamar Bruton was NBNO runner-up behind Cherry last year (while at Howard Tech, DE) with a 46.21 best, then was 3rd at Juniors and made the Pan-Am team on the 4x4.  He’s hit 46.02 at Ohio State in 2014.  Also at 46.02 is Eastern Michigan’s Tyler Brown, who’s made a big improvement from his prep best of 47.08 at Findlay, OH HS.  Then there’s Penn State’s Byron Robinson, now a 46.12 performer after running 47.29 last year for Western Branch, VA.  He also was 3rd at the NBNO 400H last year at 51.01 and is currently getting back into it after missing a few months in the spring. 

The top prep is NBNO 400 champ Josephus Lyles (T.C. Williams, VA soph), also in the 200.  Lyles crushed his PR with his 46.23 in Greensboro and while topping these collegians will be a challenge, there’s also that chance of making the team in the 4x4.  Zyaire Clemes, who did not run for his school this spring (Trenton Central, NJ), but was 2nd at NBNO after a 3rd last year, should also be a contender.  He is set to join Cherry at FSU and had the US#1 at 300 this winter.  Also watch for Taylor McLaughlin, the Union Catholic, NJ senior who anchored his school’s winning 4x400 and Swedish medley teams to victory at NBNO.  From among all of these contenders will come most or all of the Team USA 4x400.

800m run

As was the case in the 400, collegians are likely to battle for the top two spots.  Dylan Capwell was a 1:50.86 runner at Hopatcong, NJ in 2013 and now has hit 1:47.68 for Monmouth U (5th at NCAA East Prelim).  And prep fans nationally will remember Tre’Tez Kinnaird.  He smoked a 1:50.56 as a soph at Louisville Butler in 2011, winning the World Youth Trials and then making the semis in Lille.  He hit 1:49.31 as a junior, and was 3rd at NBNI as a senior in 2013, but there were off races and parts of seasons lost to injury and/or illness along with way.  Now he has run 1:47.99 at U. of Indiana. 

The top four prep contenders happen to also be the 2-3-4-5 finishers from the NBNO 800, which should make for fascinating racing.  Joe White (DePaul, NJ senior), Myles Marshall (Kingwood, TX junior), Growing Runners TC’s Derek Holdsworth (Lafayette, VA senior) and Garrett O’Toole (Middlesex, MA senior) ran PRs of 1:48.75, 1:49.24, 1:49.36 and 1:49.68 in Greensboro, respectively.  And each should have a healthy dose of motivation.  White was 2nd at both NBNO and the preceding NJ MOC, then a disappointing 9th in the Brooks PR 800.  Marshall, the Texas 5A champ, had won the Youth Olympic Trials and had not tasted defeat until NBNO and his 2nd at Brooks.  Holdworth was the unbeaten NBN champ indoors, so even with a PR getting 4th at NBNO had to sting a little.  He won Brooks, however, and now will want to confirm he’s on top among his peers.  And O’Toole is the wild card.  The US#1 miler at 4:01.89, he was just 8th in the adidas Dream mile, then came back the next day at NBNO with his 800 PR, but was only 5th.

And yet, the contenders list doesn’t end there.  Three more collegians in the field have broken 1:50, and at 1:50.27 is Virginia frosh Nathan Kiley, who won the NBNI 800 in 2013 from a slower section.  Then among preps, you have Great Southwest champ Charles Jones, Jr. of St. Louis Express TC (Cardinal Ritter, MO senior) at 1:50.19 this year and still holding a 1:49.78 PR from 2012; Kenneth Hagen (Blacksburg, VA senior), who split 1:48.38 in the NBNO 4x8, was 2nd at NBNI, and is long overdue for his first sub-1:50 open; and Robert Ford (San Antonio Johnson, TX senior), who was 3rd at NBNI and Brooks, and also repped Team USA at World Youths last year.  It’s an embarrassment of talent!

1,500m run

For prep distance fans across the land, this will be one of the most eagerly anticipated races.  Can the amazing Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc, MI junior), having not lost in XC, indoor or outdoor track since last summer, keep the magic going against a field full of fast collegians – and some quality prep rivals as well?  Fisher broke into the limelight last summer when he won his World Youth 1,500 semifinal, then was 7th in the final behind teammate Blake Haney.  That’s the last time he lost, as he steamrolled through XC (Foot Locker champ), indoors (NBNI mile champ) and outdoors (adidas mile and Brooks PR 2M champ).  His combination of racing savvy and kicking ability, especially for a HS junior, is without peer.

Three more of the year’s most exciting underclassmen prep distance performers will be in this event, too.  Home-state star Matthew Maton (Summit, OR) is another super talented junior, like Fisher.  He was runner-up to Fisher at adidas with 4:03.23, won the Brooks PR mile and is US#2 behind O’Toole at 1,500.  Yet another junior, Luke Gavigan (Tappan Zee, NY), had a bad day at NBNO, but was the Penn Relays and Millrose mile champ earlier this year and had a 4:07 1,600 best outdoors.  And then there’s Austin Tamagno, the Brea Olinda, CA soph who ran 4:09 1,600 as a frosh in 2013 and has progressed this spring to a 4:06.67 mile (2nd at Brooks).

But this field has a half-dozen collegians with entry marks between 3:43 and 3:46.  One of them is Virginia frosh Henry Wynne, who’s stellar 2013 as a Staples, CT senior included an NBN indoor/outdoor sweep in the mile.  He’s run 3:46.48.  Another, Patrick Joseph, was a 4:07 miler at Loudon County, VA last year and has improved to 3:43.70 this year for 1,500 at Virginia Tech.  Clayton Murphy was just a 4:11 1,600 runner at New Madison, OH last year and is now a 3:44.53 performer.   It will be fascinating to see how this mix plays out.

5,000m run

There are a quartet of strong prep contenders in this event, with two of them having particular experience over this distance on the track.  Elijah Armstrong (Pocatello, ID junior) won the 2013 NBNO 5,000 and, while facing faster fields in the next three NBN indoor and outdoor 5ks, has had a silver and two bronzes while lowering his PR under 14:30.  Sydney Gidabuday (El Modena, CA senior), 3rd in his state meet 1,600, early in the season twice ran 14:26 for 5k’s on the track.  Alaskan star Levi Thomet (Kodiak junior) had a 9:00 3,200 PR, then came to Greensboro and took 7th in the 5k at 14:40.  And while Albert Meier (Boone, IA senior) has never run a track 5,000, he was the Drake Relays 3,200 champ at 8:58.46.

If the top collegians are fit, though, they’ll be tough to beat – especially a trio from the PAC-12.  Stanford frosh redshirt Jack Keelan ran 13:55.59 this spring after a senior year at Chicago St. Ignatius that included 4th in the NBNO 5k and 2nd in the mile, and an 8:50 3,200.  Colby Gilbert is a U. of Washington frosh with a 14:07.13 best after running 8:58 for 3,200 in HS at Vancouver Skyview, WA.  And another Stanford frosh, Sam Wharton at 14:11.53, is remembered as a prep at Tippacanoe, OH for his NXN victory in 2012 – as well as taking 5th in the 2013 NBNO 5k.

10,000m run

It’s always fascinating to watch preps dive into the 10,000 for the first time – the few who try it at USATF Juniors.  Sometimes, the result is eye-popping, like four years ago when Parker Stinson of Cedar Park HS in Texas tackled the distance, won Juniors, then shocked with a 29:32.23 6th-place finish at Worlds that made him #6 prep all-time.  Only Galen Rupp had run faster since 1976 at that point.

This year’s candidates to possibly break out similarly are Conner Mantz (Sky View, UT junior) and the above-mentioned Gidabuday – entered in both the 5k and 10k.  Mantz loves the long distances and had a big breakout win at the NBNI 5k with a 14:24.33.  He had been 7th at Foot Locker last fall, then this spring he has bests of 8:52.90 for 3,200 at Arcadia (6th) and 8:56.62 for 2M at Brooks (4th).  A sub-30:00 is certainly possible for either of them.

Three collegiate freshman entries have broken 30:00: Penn’s Brendan Shearn at 29:49.04, Oklahoma State’s Noah Gade at 29:51.13 and Texas A&M’s Austin Wells at 29:52.14.  Shearn was 18th and 14th in NBN in/out 5ks (and 21st at Foot Locker) as a senior in 2013 at North Schuylkill, PA, while Gade as a senior at Stillwater, OK was 36th at Foot Locker and 18th in the NBNO 5k.  Wells was a 9:07 3,200 and 14:55 5k runner at San Antonio Clark HS in 2013.

110m hurdles (39”)

This race will be very hotly anticipated for prep hurdle fans as it again brings together the two boys who have broken 13.50 this year (this time in championship action): The Durham Striders’ Isaiah Moore and Hall of Fame Hurdling’s Theophile (Misana) Viltz III.  At Long Beach Milikan this spring, Viltz won Arcadia in April at 13.93, then kept driving his PR down to 13.71 (Mt. SAC), 13.68w (SS Finals) and finally 13.47(+1.5w) at state.  That was US#1 for a week until Moore – the Hugh Cummings, NC senior who made the World Youth final last year – blasted his 13.40 winner at NBNO. 

Viltz then was the top entry at Brooks and was joined by late-entry Moore.  Their battle there saw Viltz get DQ’d for pushing down a hurdle while Moore prevailed in 13.52.  So this is a rematch of the highest order.  They won’t be the only prep stars competing, though.  Former US#1 Kendal Sheffield, the Fort Bend Marshall, TX senior who won his 5A state meet at 13.63 and hasn’t competed since (at least partly due to football obligations), returns to action to challenge those who surpassed him on the list.  He led prelims at last year’s World Youth Trials, but didn’t run the final.  There’s also Viltz’s rival, Marquis Morris (De La Salle, CA senior), who was 2nd to him at Arcadia and state (13.68 PR), won Golden West, and had been 3rd at the WY Trials last year.  And don’t forget Youth Olympic Trials champ Amere Lattin of CL Athletics Stars, who missed winning at Great Southwest by less than .01.

Can’t forget the collegians, though, even though they have been racing over 42” hurdles all year.  Spencer Dunkerly-Offor of Texas is the top entry there at 13.83; he was a 13.94w runner at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, TX as a senior in 2013.  Nicholas Anderson was a 14.11 prep at Wekiva, FL and now has run 13.91.  Several others are in the very low 14s and all could be big factors.

400m hurdles

This event brings together a great array of prep talent, some of which has been tested only at 300H and not yet the longer distance.  You definitely have to start with Kenneth Selmon of Gazelle TC (Pace Academy, GA senior) and Robert Grant (Brophy Prep, AZ senior).  They were 1-2 in the NBNO 400H at 50.48 and 51.16.  While it was Grant’s first foray over the distance, Selmon was well-versed in it as he repped Team USA last year at World Youths and took 4th (lower hurdle height, though). 

Grant, of course, has also been US#1 at 300H nearly all year with his 36.24 best.  Three other sub-37 runners will attempt the longer race, including Utah champ Cam Dopp (Woods Cross senior) with a 36.30 PR, multis star John Lint (Columbus Acad, OH senior) with a 36.32 PR, and Illinois champ Conor Dunham (Chicago St. Ignatius senior) at 36.90 – and actually, Dunham has raced 400H, but just not at a high level yet. 

All that said, though, the favorite is going to be a collegian: Timothy Holmes had a stellar senior year in 2013 at St. Petersburg Lakewood, FL, taking 2nd behind Marlon Humphrey at NBNO (also 3rd 110H) and 3rd here at Juniors over 400H, as well as winning the Great Southwest 300H.  Now at Baylor in 2014 he has ducked under 50 at 49.90 and was 4th at NCAAs.  Four others have run between 50.71 and 51.14, including last year’s runnerup here Khallifah Rosser (Chaffey College CC) and Pitt frosh Desmond Palmer – who ran 36.31 and 51.59 while at Pickerington North, OH in 2013.  Again, it will be fascinating to see this prep and collegiate talent sort itself out.

3k steeplechase

As soon as new 2k ST HSR-setter Bailey Roth announced he was going to try for a second straight Team USA vest – this time for the World Juniors – the questions began.   How fast could he run with an extra kilometer over barriers added, and, would it be enough against the collegiate talent entered?  Well, things have changed with the scratch of 8:52 performer Nicholas Tuck of Penn and it’s easier to envision the Coronado, CO senior winning here if he again brings the magic – that “magic” that was present as the novice steepler in 2013 won NBNO and then produced three more sub-5:50 2kST efforts in winning the WY Trials and making the WY Champs final

Indeed, Roth was one of the stunning prep distance runners of the end of the 2012-13 school year.  But injury and/or illness issues marked a senior year of inconsistency in XC and track in Colorado.  Healthy training over recent weeks, however, brought him back to form in Greensboro, where he took down a 23-year-old national standard with his 5:41.67.  Fans naturally wonder now if he can not only make the squad to return here in three weeks, but also beat the 8:50.1 HSR by Jeff Hess that dates all the way back to 1979.

Of course there are plenty of other contenders to consider – four other collegians who have run 9:15 or better and two preps with 9:11 bests.  Bryce Miller of U. of Missouri-Kansas City leads the former group, well below the national class radar as an Ashland, WI prep but who has dramatically taken to the steeple in college and run 9:01.37 (5th at Drake).  Alec Peinkofer was 3rd in the NY Feds XC meet while a Baldwinsville, NY senior and also never had tried the steeple.  But at SUNY-Buffalo, he’s become a 9:03.45 runner.  On the other hand, Chris Mulverhill – a frosh for the hometown Ducks from Cedar Hill, TX – steepled extensively as a prep, running 6:01.52 for the 2k event and is now a 9:10 man over 3k.  Meanwhile, the other preps to watch are both New Yorkers.  Tyler Ranke (Hilton senior) and John McCarthy (Corning senior) were 1-2 at the state meet with a US#1-3 times of 9:11.24 and 9:12.10 for 3kST.  They then finished 2nd and 3rd to Roth at the NBNO 2kST at 5:51 and 5:55.

10,000m racewalk

All six finishers from last year’s USATF Junior meet in this event have returned, so the key players will be plenty familiar to fans who come out to Hayward Friday morning to watch.  Local star Nathaniel Roberts of Bowerman AC and Alexander Peters of the Elgin Sharks produced a memorable finish, with Roberts kicking home to win by less than two seconds in 52:06.97 – in less than ideal conditions in Des Moines.  Peters’ twin brother Anthony was a minute back in 3rd, while Geraldo Flores (Unattached), Andy Vasquez (Cornhusker Flyers) and Spencer Dunn (Unattached) took the next three spots.

Things have changed.  Anthony has been the faster Peters twin this year, improving to 45:54.0 as they finish up their senior year at Barlett, IL, while Alex hasn’t broken 50.  Roberts (Salem, OR senior) is entered at 47:43.0 and Cameron Haught – a frosh talent at Yellow Springs, OH – has walked 48:36.0.  Dunn has not broken 50, but he was the NBNO champ over a mile three weeks ago.

(previews for women's track, men's and women's field events coming)

Event-by-event previews for the men's track events at the 2014 USATF Juniors in Eugene (men's field HERE, women's track HERE, women's field HERE).  Top two in each event qualify for the World Junior Champs later this month on the same track (provided they meet the performance standard) – though a host country rule actually allows one entrant in each event for the U.S., regardless of whether they’ve met the standard.

100m dash

No aspirants for the Team USA squad for Eugene seem more ready for World Championship stardom than Baylor freshman Trayvon Bromell.  His killer senior year at Gibbs (St. Petersberg, FL) HS in 2013 included an impressive run to a 3A Florida title, a fast Golden South win, a disappointing 5th in the adidas GP Dream 100, but then a sequence that included a legendary 9.99w at Great Southwest, a New Balance Nationals Outdoor (NBNO) triumph into a headwind, a Juniors win into a huge headwind, then a bronze at the Pan Am Juniors in August.  But that was just the preface to his stellar 2014 at Baylor, which first opened eyes with his 10.02 Texas Relays win, a 9.77w at Big 12s with the friendly altitude of Lubbock, then a World Junior Record 9.97 NCAA title – the first by a frosh since Walter Dix in 2005.  To say he stands as the WJ favorite in 3-plus weeks is an understatement.

Which brings us to our top prep, Trentavis Friday (GJTC), the unbeaten Cherryville, NC senior who with his 10.17 PR would be the favorite at many Junior meets over the years.  2013 was a groundbreaking year for Friday, too, though many of his performances were trailing Bromell – like Golden South, NBNO and adidas.  In 2014, he’s been unpressed in bursting to his blazing New Balance Nationals Indoor (NBNI) 60/200 double and NBNO 200 crown.  He is, in fact, the 200 favorite (see below), but in the 100 will face a great challenge that could push him to new heights.

And the 100 field shall not be lacking for quality Team USA suitors, should either of the above two falter.  The top collegiate contender would be Jalen Miller, the Ole Miss frosh who has run 10.24 this year – improving significantly from his days with Rosa Fort HS in Mississippi 4A.  Florida prep stars Kendal Williams (1st Coast TC/Stanton Prep senior) and Terry Jernigan (Life Speed/East Ridge senior).  Williams led the nation much of the spring with his 10.28 best, won 3A state and then the adidas race.  Jernigan lost only to Williams before his state 4A crown, then won Golden South (10.27), was 3rd behind Williams at adidas, then 2nd at Brooks behind Christian Coleman.  All of these contenders have a good shot at repping Team USA in the 4x100.

200m dash

As mentioned above, Friday is the man to beat at 200.  There is no Bromell, but Friday would still be the favorite even if the Baylor frosh was present – it’s arguably Friday’s better event.  His NBNI victory made him #2 all-time prep undercover and his US#1 20.33 outdoors is #7 all-time.  He won the NBNO race with a 20.41 into a headwind and by a huge margin of nearly .60. 

The half lap is also Kendal Williams’ better event, it seems, and he has a great chance to make the team here.  His 20.55 to win Golden South led the nation at the time and is still US#2.  Both he and Bromell were actually DQ’d in the 200 prelims at Juniors last year, when Williams was also a favorite to make Team USA, so that could motivate him.

Ole Miss’s Miller is also in this event, with a 20.76 best.  Also look out for college frosh like Robert Ellis III (American River (Ca.) JC/Antelope, CA, HS) at 20.79 (also in 100); Michael Cheeks, Jr. (Auburn frosh/Mill Creek, GA, HS) at 20.82, and Joshua Washington (Richard Bland/Forest Park, VA, HS) at 20.83; and preps like NBNO 3rd-place finisher Quashawn Cunningham (Mallard Creek, NC senior) at 21.04 (also in 100), NBNO 6th-place finisher Ivy Dobson (Arbor View, NV senior) at 21.01; NBNO 400 champ Josephus Lyles (T.C. Williams, VA soph) and NBNO 400H runner-up Robert Grant (Brophy Prep, AZ senior).

400m dash

Florida State frosh Michael Cherry was the big man in the prep 400 last year while at Oscar Smith HS in VA.  He won the NBNI 400 (and was 2nd in the 200) during an epic undercover campaign that included an HSR at 300 and a US#1 at 500.  Outdoors, he hit a US#1 46.02 and won NBNO at 46.06.  His first campaign at FSU has been pretty solid, too, with two sub-46s and a best of 45.37.  As the only sub-46 entry, if he’s healthy and ready at the line, he’s the solid favorite.

The other top contenders over a full lap are also collegians.  Lamar Bruton was NBNO runner-up behind Cherry last year (while at Howard Tech, DE) with a 46.21 best, then was 3rd at Juniors and made the Pan-Am team on the 4x4.  He’s hit 46.02 at Ohio State in 2014.  Also at 46.02 is Eastern Michigan’s Tyler Brown, who’s made a big improvement from his prep best of 47.08 at Findlay, OH HS.  Then there’s Penn State’s Byron Robinson, now a 46.12 performer after running 47.29 last year for Western Branch, VA.  He also was 3rd at the NBNO 400H last year at 51.01 and is currently getting back into it after missing a few months in the spring. 

The top prep is NBNO 400 champ Josephus Lyles (T.C. Williams, VA soph), also in the 200.  Lyles crushed his PR with his 46.23 in Greensboro and while topping these collegians will be a challenge, there’s also that chance of making the team in the 4x4.  Zyaire Clemes, who did not run for his school this spring (Trenton Central, NJ), but was 2nd at NBNO after a 3rd last year, should also be a contender.  He is set to join Cherry at FSU and had the US#1 at 300 this winter.  Also watch for Taylor McLaughlin, the Union Catholic, NJ senior who anchored his school’s winning 4x400 and Swedish medley teams to victory at NBNO.  From among all of these contenders will come most or all of the Team USA 4x400.

800m run

As was the case in the 400, collegians are likely to battle for the top two spots.  Dylan Capwell was a 1:50.86 runner at Hopatcong, NJ in 2013 and now has hit 1:47.68 for Monmouth U (5th at NCAA East Prelim).  And prep fans nationally will remember Tre’Tez Kinnaird.  He smoked a 1:50.56 as a soph at Louisville Butler in 2011, winning the World Youth Trials and then making the semis in Lille.  He hit 1:49.31 as a junior, and was 3rd at NBNI as a senior in 2013, but there were off races and parts of seasons lost to injury and/or illness along with way.  Now he has run 1:47.99 at U. of Indiana. 

The top four prep contenders happen to also be the 2-3-4-5 finishers from the NBNO 800, which should make for fascinating racing.  Joe White (DePaul, NJ senior), Myles Marshall (Kingwood, TX junior), Growing Runners TC’s Derek Holdsworth (Lafayette, VA senior) and Garrett O’Toole (Middlesex, MA senior) ran PRs of 1:48.75, 1:49.24, 1:49.36 and 1:49.68 in Greensboro, respectively.  And each should have a healthy dose of motivation.  White was 2nd at both NBNO and the preceding NJ MOC, then a disappointing 9th in the Brooks PR 800.  Marshall, the Texas 5A champ, had won the Youth Olympic Trials and had not tasted defeat until NBNO and his 2nd at Brooks.  Holdworth was the unbeaten NBN champ indoors, so even with a PR getting 4th at NBNO had to sting a little.  He won Brooks, however, and now will want to confirm he’s on top among his peers.  And O’Toole is the wild card.  The US#1 miler at 4:01.89, he was just 8th in the adidas Dream mile, then came back the next day at NBNO with his 800 PR, but was only 5th.

And yet, the contenders list doesn’t end there.  Three more collegians in the field have broken 1:50, and at 1:50.27 is Virginia frosh Nathan Kiley, who won the NBNI 800 in 2013 from a slower section.  Then among preps, you have Great Southwest champ Charles Jones, Jr. of St. Louis Express TC (Cardinal Ritter, MO senior) at 1:50.19 this year and still holding a 1:49.78 PR from 2012; Kenneth Hagen (Blacksburg, VA senior), who split 1:48.38 in the NBNO 4x8, was 2nd at NBNI, and is long overdue for his first sub-1:50 open; and Robert Ford (San Antonio Johnson, TX senior), who was 3rd at NBNI and Brooks, and also repped Team USA at World Youths last year.  It’s an embarrassment of talent!

1,500m run

For prep distance fans across the land, this will be one of the most eagerly anticipated races.  Can the amazing Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc, MI junior), having not lost in XC, indoor or outdoor track since last summer, keep the magic going against a field full of fast collegians – and some quality prep rivals as well?  Fisher broke into the limelight last summer when he won his World Youth 1,500 semifinal, then was 7th in the final behind teammate Blake Haney.  That’s the last time he lost, as he steamrolled through XC (Foot Locker champ), indoors (NBNI mile champ) and outdoors (adidas mile and Brooks PR 2M champ).  His combination of racing savvy and kicking ability, especially for a HS junior, is without peer.

Three more of the year’s most exciting underclassmen prep distance performers will be in this event, too.  Home-state star Matthew Maton (Summit, OR) is another super talented junior, like Fisher.  He was runner-up to Fisher at adidas with 4:03.23, won the Brooks PR mile and is US#2 behind O’Toole at 1,500.  Yet another junior, Luke Gavigan (Tappan Zee, NY), had a bad day at NBNO, but was the Penn Relays and Millrose mile champ earlier this year and had a 4:07 1,600 best outdoors.  And then there’s Austin Tamagno, the Brea Olinda, CA soph who ran 4:09 1,600 as a frosh in 2013 and has progressed this spring to a 4:06.67 mile (2nd at Brooks).

But this field has a half-dozen collegians with entry marks between 3:43 and 3:46.  One of them is Virginia frosh Henry Wynne, who’s stellar 2013 as a Staples, CT senior included an NBN indoor/outdoor sweep in the mile.  He’s run 3:46.48.  Another, Patrick Joseph, was a 4:07 miler at Loudon County, VA last year and has improved to 3:43.70 this year for 1,500 at Virginia Tech.  Clayton Murphy was just a 4:11 1,600 runner at New Madison, OH last year and is now a 3:44.53 performer.   It will be fascinating to see how this mix plays out.

5,000m run

There are a quartet of strong prep contenders in this event, with two of them having particular experience over this distance on the track.  Elijah Armstrong (Pocatello, ID junior) won the 2013 NBNO 5,000 and, while facing faster fields in the next three NBN indoor and outdoor 5ks, has had a silver and two bronzes while lowering his PR under 14:30.  Sydney Gidabuday (El Modena, CA senior), 3rd in his state meet 1,600, early in the season twice ran 14:26 for 5k’s on the track.  Alaskan star Levi Thomet (Kodiak junior) had a 9:00 3,200 PR, then came to Greensboro and took 7th in the 5k at 14:40.  And while Albert Meier (Boone, IA senior) has never run a track 5,000, he was the Drake Relays 3,200 champ at 8:58.46.

If the top collegians are fit, though, they’ll be tough to beat – especially a trio from the PAC-12.  Stanford frosh redshirt Jack Keelan ran 13:55.59 this spring after a senior year at Chicago St. Ignatius that included 4th in the NBNO 5k and 2nd in the mile, and an 8:50 3,200.  Colby Gilbert is a U. of Washington frosh with a 14:07.13 best after running 8:58 for 3,200 in HS at Vancouver Skyview, WA.  And another Stanford frosh, Sam Wharton at 14:11.53, is remembered as a prep at Tippacanoe, OH for his NXN victory in 2012 – as well as taking 5th in the 2013 NBNO 5k.

10,000m run

It’s always fascinating to watch preps dive into the 10,000 for the first time – the few who try it at USATF Juniors.  Sometimes, the result is eye-popping, like four years ago when Parker Stinson of Cedar Park HS in Texas tackled the distance, won Juniors, then shocked with a 29:32.23 6th-place finish at Worlds that made him #6 prep all-time.  Only Galen Rupp had run faster since 1976 at that point.

This year’s candidates to possibly break out similarly are Conner Mantz (Sky View, UT junior) and the above-mentioned Gidabuday – entered in both the 5k and 10k.  Mantz loves the long distances and had a big breakout win at the NBNI 5k with a 14:24.33.  He had been 7th at Foot Locker last fall, then this spring he has bests of 8:52.90 for 3,200 at Arcadia (6th) and 8:56.62 for 2M at Brooks (4th).  A sub-30:00 is certainly possible for either of them.

Three collegiate freshman entries have broken 30:00: Penn’s Brendan Shearn at 29:49.04, Oklahoma State’s Noah Gade at 29:51.13 and Texas A&M’s Austin Wells at 29:52.14.  Shearn was 18th and 14th in NBN in/out 5ks (and 21st at Foot Locker) as a senior in 2013 at North Schuylkill, PA, while Gade as a senior at Stillwater, OK was 36th at Foot Locker and 18th in the NBNO 5k.  Wells was a 9:07 3,200 and 14:55 5k runner at San Antonio Clark HS in 2013.

110m hurdles (39”)

This race will be very hotly anticipated for prep hurdle fans as it again brings together the two boys who have broken 13.50 this year (this time in championship action): The Durham Striders’ Isaiah Moore and Hall of Fame Hurdling’s Theophile (Misana) Viltz III.  At Long Beach Milikan this spring, Viltz won Arcadia in April at 13.93, then kept driving his PR down to 13.71 (Mt. SAC), 13.68w (SS Finals) and finally 13.47(+1.5w) at state.  That was US#1 for a week until Moore – the Hugh Cummings, NC senior who made the World Youth final last year – blasted his 13.40 winner at NBNO. 

Viltz then was the top entry at Brooks and was joined by late-entry Moore.  Their battle there saw Viltz get DQ’d for pushing down a hurdle while Moore prevailed in 13.52.  So this is a rematch of the highest order.  They won’t be the only prep stars competing, though.  Former US#1 Kendal Sheffield, the Fort Bend Marshall, TX senior who won his 5A state meet at 13.63 and hasn’t competed since (at least partly due to football obligations), returns to action to challenge those who surpassed him on the list.  He led prelims at last year’s World Youth Trials, but didn’t run the final.  There’s also Viltz’s rival, Marquis Morris (De La Salle, CA senior), who was 2nd to him at Arcadia and state (13.68 PR), won Golden West, and had been 3rd at the WY Trials last year.  And don’t forget Youth Olympic Trials champ Amere Lattin of CL Athletics Stars, who missed winning at Great Southwest by less than .01.

Can’t forget the collegians, though, even though they have been racing over 42” hurdles all year.  Spencer Dunkerly-Offor of Texas is the top entry there at 13.83; he was a 13.94w runner at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, TX as a senior in 2013.  Nicholas Anderson was a 14.11 prep at Wekiva, FL and now has run 13.91.  Several others are in the very low 14s and all could be big factors.

400m hurdles

This event brings together a great array of prep talent, some of which has been tested only at 300H and not yet the longer distance.  You definitely have to start with Kenneth Selmon of Gazelle TC (Pace Academy, GA senior) and Robert Grant (Brophy Prep, AZ senior).  They were 1-2 in the NBNO 400H at 50.48 and 51.16.  While it was Grant’s first foray over the distance, Selmon was well-versed in it as he repped Team USA last year at World Youths and took 4th (lower hurdle height, though). 

Grant, of course, has also been US#1 at 300H nearly all year with his 36.24 best.  Three other sub-37 runners will attempt the longer race, including Utah champ Cam Dopp (Woods Cross senior) with a 36.30 PR, multis star John Lint (Columbus Acad, OH senior) with a 36.32 PR, and Illinois champ Conor Dunham (Chicago St. Ignatius senior) at 36.90 – and actually, Dunham has raced 400H, but just not at a high level yet. 

All that said, though, the favorite is going to be a collegian: Timothy Holmes had a stellar senior year in 2013 at St. Petersburg Lakewood, FL, taking 2nd behind Marlon Humphrey at NBNO (also 3rd 110H) and 3rd here at Juniors over 400H, as well as winning the Great Southwest 300H.  Now at Baylor in 2014 he has ducked under 50 at 49.90 and was 4th at NCAAs.  Four others have run between 50.71 and 51.14, including last year’s runnerup here Khallifah Rosser (Chaffey College CC) and Pitt frosh Desmond Palmer – who ran 36.31 and 51.59 while at Pickerington North, OH in 2013.  Again, it will be fascinating to see this prep and collegiate talent sort itself out.

3k steeplechase

As soon as new 2k ST HSR-setter Bailey Roth announced he was going to try for a second straight Team USA vest – this time for the World Juniors – the questions began.   How fast could he run with an extra kilometer over barriers added, and, would it be enough against the collegiate talent entered?  Well, things have changed with the scratch of 8:52 performer Nicholas Tuck of Penn and it’s easier to envision the Coronado, CO senior winning here if he again brings the magic – that “magic” that was present as the novice steepler in 2013 won NBNO and then produced three more sub-5:50 2kST efforts in winning the WY Trials and making the WY Champs final

Indeed, Roth was one of the stunning prep distance runners of the end of the 2012-13 school year.  But injury and/or illness issues marked a senior year of inconsistency in XC and track in Colorado.  Healthy training over recent weeks, however, brought him back to form in Greensboro, where he took down a 23-year-old national standard with his 5:41.67.  Fans naturally wonder now if he can not only make the squad to return here in three weeks, but also beat the 8:50.1 HSR by Jeff Hess that dates all the way back to 1979.

Of course there are plenty of other contenders to consider – four other collegians who have run 9:15 or better and two preps with 9:11 bests.  Bryce Miller of U. of Missouri-Kansas City leads the former group, well below the national class radar as an Ashland, WI prep but who has dramatically taken to the steeple in college and run 9:01.37 (5th at Drake).  Alec Peinkofer was 3rd in the NY Feds XC meet while a Baldwinsville, NY senior and also never had tried the steeple.  But at SUNY-Buffalo, he’s become a 9:03.45 runner.  On the other hand, Chris Mulverhill – a frosh for the hometown Ducks from Cedar Hill, TX – steepled extensively as a prep, running 6:01.52 for the 2k event and is now a 9:10 man over 3k.  Meanwhile, the other preps to watch are both New Yorkers.  Tyler Ranke (Hilton senior) and John McCarthy (Corning senior) were 1-2 at the state meet with a US#1-3 times of 9:11.24 and 9:12.10 for 3kST.  They then finished 2nd and 3rd to Roth at the NBNO 2kST at 5:51 and 5:55.

10,000m racewalk

All six finishers from last year’s USATF Junior meet in this event have returned, so the key players will be plenty familiar to fans who come out to Hayward Friday morning to watch.  Local star Nathaniel Roberts of Bowerman AC and Alexander Peters of the Elgin Sharks produced a memorable finish, with Roberts kicking home to win by less than two seconds in 52:06.97 – in less than ideal conditions in Des Moines.  Peters’ twin brother Anthony was a minute back in 3rd, while Geraldo Flores (Unattached), Andy Vasquez (Cornhusker Flyers) and Spencer Dunn (Unattached) took the next three spots.

Things have changed.  Anthony has been the faster Peters twin this year, improving to 45:54.0 as they finish up their senior year at Barlett, IL, while Alex hasn’t broken 50.  Roberts (Salem, OR senior) is entered at 47:43.0 and Cameron Haught – a frosh talent at Yellow Springs, OH – has walked 48:36.0.  Dunn has not broken 50, but he was the NBNO champ over a mile three weeks ago.

Photos (from top right; all by Walter Pinion except where indicated):
* Trentavis Friday winning the NBNO 200
* The 2-3-4 finishers in the NBNO 800, Joe White, Myles Marshall and Derek Holdsworth
* Conner Mantz winning NBNI 5k (photo from NBNationals.com)
* Isaiah Moore winning NBNO 110H
* Bailey Roth winning NBNO 2kST

(previews for women's track, men's and women's field events coming)

Event-by-event previews for the women's field events at the 2014 USATF Juniors in Eugene (men's track HERE, women's track HERE, men's field HERE).  Top two in each event qualify for the World Junior Champs later this month on the same track (provided they meet the performance standard) – though a host country rule actually allows one entrant in each event for the U.S., regardless of whether they’ve met the standard.

Shot Put

No one else in prep track and field has had a season like Raven Saunders has in 2014.  The Burke, SC senior first stunned the throwers’ world with her 53-8 put back in December – improving 11 feet over her previous lifetime best and revealing that she had begun to learn the spin technique the previous summer after a somewhat unsuccessful junior year.  By March, she was ready to take on the nation’s best and, with a national record 56-7.5 on her first round throw, she beat the likes of Ashlie Blake (Liberty, NV senior) and Stamatia Scarvelis (Dos Pueblos, CA senior) to win the New Balance Nationals Indoor crown and take Michelle Carter off the indoor national and meet record book.

It’s been more of the same this spring, with Saunders surpassing Carter’s outdoor HSR at Taco Bell with 56-8.25, then her NBNO meet record three weeks ago in Greensboro with another 56-7.5.  In between, she was consistent between 50-55 feet and it was all enough to earn the Southern Illinois-bound senior the Gatorade National T&F Athlete of the Year award.  She’s here and hopes this weekend to begin to take it to the next level and work toward the medal stand here again at Hayward in three weeks (she’s currently #3 in the world).

It won’t be easy, though, as Saunders will face Blake and Scarvelis for the first time since NBNI.  Blake hit a PR 53-10.25 that day in New York, with a foul around 55 feet, and has a best of 51-7.25 this spring outdoors – though hasn’t competed since May.  She won bronze for Team USA at World Youths last summer.  Scarvelis is the defending champ here and US#2 outdoors at 53-9.25.  She won gold at the Pan Am Juniors in 2013, as well.  And as if that wasn’t enough, the field will include Aaliyah Pete, the Colorado State frosh who stunned at the end of her senior year (Elkhorn South, NE) with a huge 52-3 PR at Chicagoland Throws and has reached 54-8.25 this year.  Three other collegians have thrown 50-6 or better, but the battle should be among the “Big Four” with Saunders again leading the way.

Discus

The discus features some of the same major players as the shot, but there’s definitely a different favorite to win it all.  Raven Saunders, a 159-footer, is not in this event.  But Valarie Allman is.  Allman wowed fans during the early outdoor season in 2013 when as a Silver Creek, CO senior she had three meets between 180 and 184 feet during March – including a Texas Relays win.  She was less successful later in the year, ultimately taking 5th at Juniors with 165-2.  This year at Stanford, she also PR’d in March with 187-7, but also hit 184-4 at the NCAA West Prelims before being off form at NCAAs.  No junior has thrown further this year than her globally, though, so if she’s on – look out.

There are several others between 165-180.  Kentucky frosh Madison Jacobs was mostly a 150s thrower (with a 163-11 breakout) last year for Arroyo Grande, CA, but now has hit 178-6, which got her threw the NCAA East to the finals.  And Aaliyah Pete is also stellar with this implement, with a best of 176-5.  The prep contenders?  Scarvelis and Blake, again, with US#2 172-7 and #5 166-1 bests to their credit.

Javelin

This event kind of falls under the “anything can happen” category with a combination of current and former NSAF Project Javelin throwers, plus other preps and collegians in the mix.  If you go by lifetime bests, the fave would be Project Jav grad and rising college soph Megan Glasmann, whose meteoric career arc at Park City, UT peaked last summer with her Pan Am Juniors title at 176-8 (#2 prep all-time).  She’s the defending champ here.  At Stanford this spring, however, her best was 164-8 and she has now left the school.  Still, she could certainly win here.  Dani Plank and Rebekah Wales are is another top collegians: Plank threw 161-1 at Gardner Edgerton, KS last year and now is at 167-4 as a Kansas State frosh, while Wales has hit 166-10 at LSU after a 158-3 prep best at West Monroe, LA.  Another Project Jav grad, Duke’s Christine Streisel at 164-6, is a serious contender.

The prep contenders include three trying to get back to their 160-foot-plus form of March.  Current Project Jav thrower Katelyn Gochenour (Marian Catholic, NE soph) is US#1 at 167-0 and has been over 150 twice more – including a runner-up 154-11 at NBNO – but has been struggling with injury issues since.  Megan’s sister, Park City, UT junior Chrissy Glasmann, hit 160-6 and is hoping to get back in at least the 150s again.  Same with Payton Montgomery (Barbe, LA junior) with a 161-2 PR.  With the best form recently, however, is US#2 Gabrielle Kearney (Roseburg, OR junior), who reached 166-0 in late May and was 3rd at NBNO.  Another who could make things interesting if she can hit the next level?  NSAF Project Jav’s Sophia Rivera (Brentwood, MO soph), who just PR’d at 148-0 last week at USATF Youth.

Hammer

Brooke Anderson was just a 159-9 thrower at Rancho Buena Vista, CA last year, where the event was not contested at the state level.  As a Northern Arizona frosh, however, she’s exploded to 194-9 which has elevated her to the favorite’s role here.  A trio of preps, though, should give her plenty of competition.  That starts with US#1 Haley Showalter (Valor Christian, CO junior), who was unbeaten this year until Sabrina Gaitan topped her at NBNO.  Showalter’s 193-4 from Great Southwest still leads the U.S. and she has a great chance to win here. 

Lena Giger (Highland, IL senior) has gotten serious about the event again this year, having topped out at 50 feet in the shot at NBNI, and has three 180-foot meets – led by a 185-9 two weeks ago.  She was 4th at NBNO, however, so she’ll hope to place higher.  From the Throw 1 Deep contingent comes Nyla Woods (Grady, GA senior), who has a 185-8 best this year.  She was 5th at NBNO.  A few others to watch include Wake Forest frosh Casidy Callahan, who threw 184-7 with T1D last year, and Kelli Thomas – a Luella, GA junior who hit 182-1 in 2013.

Long Jump

The greatest prep girls’ long jump battle ever, in terms of top-end depth?  That could arguably be what we’ll see this weekend at Juniors, as four girls who’ve done 20-9 or better (all-conditions) face off.  Or you could also call it a World Youth Trials rematch, since they all met there last June.  They are just a little better and more experienced now, you see!

• Keturah Orji, the Mt. Olive, NJ senior in our Project TJ group, has not lost a horizontal jump, in or out, since the WYT last June.  She followed that with a silver medal at the WY Champs, beating Corrin for the first time.  Three weeks ago, her victory over Corrin at NBNO avenged her 2013 defeat in Greensboro and tied her PR at US#1 20-11.75.  She has to be the favorite.
• Courtney Corrin, the Harvard-Westlake, CA soph, was unbeaten during her frosh campaign in 2013, with a 21-0 legal best and NBNO and WYT wins, before losing in the WYC final to Orji.  She hasn’t been quite as long and consistent this year, but still has a legal 20-8.25 best.
• Margaux Jones, you could argue, has taken over Corrin’s top spot in the deep Golden State.  She won Arcadia and the state title, though Corrin beat her a few times, too.  The Redlands senior is competing out of state for the first time this year.  She was 4th in that 2013 WYT.
• Chyna Ries, the Denver East, CO senior, has gone furthest of all, a wind-aided 21-4.5 in her recent USATF Colorado meet.  She was 3rd at the WYT in ’13, but is unbeaten this year – but hasn’t faced any of the other “big four” yet (Orji only triple jumped at Great Southwest).

Between those four, they’ve produced more than three dozen meets over 20 feet the past two years.  But none of them can ignore the collegians competing with them.  Alabama frosh Quanesha Burks, who prepped at Hartselle, AL, had a 20-8 leap at NCAA East that got her to the Finals.  And Tierra Williams, in her first year at Nebraska, has gone 20-7 – with a 20-5.75 later earning her NCAA Finals ticket.  A handful of other collegians over 20 will make this event very deep and competitive.  Also, don’t forget about NSAF Project Triple Jump’s Chinne Okoronkwo – Orji’s teammate – from Mountlake Terrace, WA.  The soph was 2nd behind Ries at GSW with a massive 19-11.75w that elevated her to the elites.

Triple Jump

NSAF Project Triple Jump’s Keturah Orji (Mt. Olive, NJ senior) has owned this event at the high school and Youth level the past two years.  Is it safe to say she owns it at the Junior level, too?  Well, let’s just say she’s the favorite, but could get pushed.  There’s some collegiate freshmen who have done pretty well this year, especially Marshay Ryan.  The NBNO runner-up to Carla Forbes in 2012 as a Chambersburg, PA junior – at a legal 42-2.75 – Ryan was then a 41-footer as a senior.  But at Auburn this March, she exploded to 44-0.5 at NCAA Indoors to take 2nd.  While she didn’t go as far or make NCAA Finals outdoors, she’s at least in Orji’s orbit.  Collegiate 43-footers Kaitlyn Beans of South Alabama and Simone Charley of Vanderbilt are also to be heeded.  Beans really didn’t TJ in high school at Brew Tech, AL and has improved tremendously.  Charley, on the other hand, was the NBNO runner-up to Orji in 2013 and had a 42-3.5 legal prep best.

Still, Orji getting beaten would be a stunning upset.  Other than her World Youth bronze, she hasn’t lost in the event since the 2013 Penn Relays, with two sets of NBN in/out doubles to her credit, among other things.  She’s still less than an inch from the 2004 Brittney Daniels national record, a mark she’s been chasing all year.  She barely missed it at GSW, then settled for a 43 at NBNO, but then the big LJ win over Corrin has shown she’s fit, ready and the record could come at any time.  This – the Junior Trials – is what she’s been waiting for all year.

The preps in the event include five 41-footers, including the above-mentioned Okoronkwo, with a 41-6.5w best in winning the Youth Olympic Trials and who was 4th at NBNO.  Javonne Antoine, a Elizabeth Seton, MD senior and NSAF CSI alum, was 2nd to Orji at Penn and is here, too.  Unbeaten California state champ Ashley Anderson (Carson senior) has a 41-3 PR and fellow Golden Stater Marisa Kwiatkowski (Wilcox senior) is also to be reckoned with.  And there’s Mia Barron (Minnetonka senior), who was 3rd to Orji at NBNI, has 40-41 footers outdoors and is competing outside of Minnesota for the first time this year outdoors.

Pole Vault

Desiree Freier (Justin Northwest, TX senior) has basically had two-thirds of a dream year in 2014.  Indoors, she was unstoppable, finishing with a 14-2.75 national record.  Outdoors, she set another HSR with her 14-3.25 at the Texas Relays and then, in an state area meet where the PV was forced inside, she went 14-6.  Her state meet and NBNO didn’t go as smoothly, though; victories, but at 13-6 and 13-3.5 well below her capacity.  Freier has stated 14-9 is the goal this year and, given that she was a World Youth finalist in 2013, making another Team USA is a big goal, too.  Her 14-3.25 is tied for the outdoor WJ lead, so if she can get back to form and make the team, she’ll definitely be a gold medal contender.

There’s no shortage of good competition, though.  Her old Texas prep rivals, Annie Rhodes (2013 NBNI champ) and Lakan Taylor – now at Baylor and Alabama – have gone 14-0 and 13-9.25 this year.  Among preps, the big story is that Kaitlyn Merritt (Santa Margarita, CA junior) is finally competing in a major post-season meet.  The US#2 at 13-9, she has been over 14 in an unofficial meet, but she’ll have to come back from a bad outing at state last month. 

After that, Bonnie Draxler (Wrightstown, WI senior) has come back late this spring to vault 13-9 in the post-season and exceed her 13-7.25 form of 2013 when she was a surprise 2nd at Juniors.  Freier’s current Texas rival Kally Long (Wimberley senior) was 2nd at both NBNI and NBNO and has a 13-6 best.  Also at that height is Mackenzie Shell (Port Huron Northern junior), who was 6th at NBNI and 4th at NBNO.

High Jump

With super soph Vashti Cunningham (Bishop Gorman, NV) scratching, the potential for something really big and getting a medal contender to Worlds has lessened considerably.  Now there is a big group of jumpers in the 5-10 to 6-0 range and any of several could win.  There is, however, a local leaper who can bring an experience level unmatched by anyone else.  Rachel Proteau, while at West Albany, OR, twice made Team USA for the Pan Am Juniors, taking 2nd in 2011 and 1st in 2013 in this meet.  She led the nation last year at 6-1 and is now at the HJ powerhouse that is Kansas State.  That said, she has a best of only 5-11.25 this year – her only meet over 5-10 – and did not make NCAA Finals.  Can she return to form here?

If not, the title could go to Bailey Weiland (Marist, GA senior) the newly crowned NBNO champ at 5-11.5.  This is her first Junior champs meet, but she did compete in the WYT last June.  At 5-11 and competing in her first national-level meet is Taylor Wiebke, a Kasson-Mantorville, MN junior.  California state runner-up Alexandria Florent, a Harvard-Westlake teammate of Courtney Corrin, has gone 5-10.  And don’t forget about Cyre Virgo (Fleetwood, PA junior), who has been in the 5-8 to 5-10 range this year but went 6-1 last year and won NBNI as a soph.

Among collegians, the 2013 California state champ, Rachel McCoy, is another contender.  She did 6-0.75 last year, then went to Long Island U. to play basketball, leaving her off the radar for awhile.  Illinois frosh Kandie Bloch-Jones leapt 5-11.5 indoors, but hasn’t reached that level outdoors.

Photos (from top right):
* Raven Saunders winning the NBNO shot (photo by Andrew McClanahan)
* Megan Glasmann after winning 2013 PAJ javelin (photo by Joy Kamani)
* Courtney Corrin during 2nd place LJ effort at NBNO (photo by Walter Pinion)
* Desiree Freier winning the NBNO PV (photo by Walter Pinion)

Event-by-event previews for the men's field events at the 2014 USATF Juniors in Eugene (men's track HERE, men's field HERE, women's field HERE).  Top two in each event qualify for the World Junior Champs later this month on the same track (provided they meet the performance standard) – though a host country rule actually allows one entrant in each event for the U.S., regardless of whether they’ve met the standard.

100m and 200m dashes

It’s kind of hard to believe that with all of the major sprint showdowns and major post-season meets this year, we still haven’t seen the top two 100-meter girls, Ariana Washington and Kaylin Whitney, face off yet.  This weekend, that will change, and it should be a great showdown with plenty of other athletes in the mix, too.  For awhile, fans wondered if Washington (Long Beach Poly, CA senior) would rise to that level this year.  After her silver (100) and bronze (200) performances at World Youths last summer, she came into 2014 with injury issues and her times were generally .20 to .30 off what she had hit before.  But by the state meet, she got it down to a wind-legal PR of 11.22 to put herself back in the drivers’ seat.  If there’s any questions mark, it’s how she’ll be after a month away from racing.

Meanwhile, the soph prodigy Whitney (East Ridge, FL) has been a force all year, winning 4A state, hitting a PR 11.27 with her adidas Dream 100 victory and also winning at Brooks.  But her slate in Florida has not been without a few losses, thanks to another prime contender who will be here, Teahna Daniels.  The junior 1A state champ from First Academy of Orlando beat Whitney at Golden South and the Florida Relays, and came within .04 at adidas with her PR 11.31.  There are at least three other major threats in the field: Ky Westbrook (Chandler, AZ senior), who was the World Youth champ over Washington last year at 11.33 but has not been below 11.40 this year; Arkansas frosh Regine Williams with an entry time of 11.29; and LSU frosh Jada Martin with an 11.35 mark.

The 200 will also feature prep standouts Washington – US#1 at 22.96 – and Whitney, but with Whitney’s wind-legal best more than a half-second slower than Washington’s, it would seem that matchup isn’t the story.  But then you remember that barely wind-aided 22.80(+2.1w) that the Floridian ran at that Star Athletics sprint meet last month and say, oh yeah … Now it’s true that the tendency is to think of Washington a little more as a long sprinter and Whitney a little more as a dasher, but the reality is that Washington is probably just as good at 100 and that Whitney simply hasn’t competed as much at 200. 

The supporting cast, so to speak, for the 200 is similar to the 100.  Arkansas’ Williams at 23.06 and LSU’s Martin at 23.19 are key contenders.  Daniels is in the field, too, with a 23.68 best.  The other athlete to watch most closely, though, is U. of Iowa’s Brittany Brown.  She was the state runner-up to Washington in 2013 while at Claremont HS, so it will be a renewal of an old rivalry for them.  Brown was a 23.68w/23.78 runner last year, but has improved to 22.95 to earn the top entry mark.

400m dash

For all of Kendall Baisden’s consistent, persistent years of excellence – which yielded 400 times of 54.72 and 53.05 as a 7th and 8th-grader, followed by four straight years in high school with 52-second-plus seasonal bests, and including THREE Team USA berths already achieved through 2013 – she’s never quite been “the best.”  Well, actually, there was the year she did win the USATF Junior 400, with her stunning 52.59 as a freshman, but in 2010 she was too young to make the squad for the Moncton World Juniors.  Since then, she has qualified for the 2011 World Youths, 2012 World Juniors, and 2013 Pan Am Juniors – but there was always a Robin Reynolds or Courtney Okolo ahead of her.

In 2014, there is no one.  Part of the crazy fast and deep Longhorn 400 troops, Baisden ripped a 50.46 PR at the Big 12s behind Okolo (now out of the Jr. ranks) – with the altitude of Lubbock, TX adding a friendly assist.  She leads the World Jr list by .60 over fellow college frosh Shamier Little.  But with Little focusing on the 400H (where she is also dominant), Baisden’s margin over anyone else is 1.22 seconds.  The best non-American sprinter is at 52.28, a time Baisden has beaten five times this year.  She appears truly the best.

That said, what a tough event the 400 is this year for Juniors and certainly one that few current U.S. preps dare to attempt.  Olivia Baker, alone, is representing HS athletes, the Columbia, NJ senior having earned a bronze at the 2013 World Youths.  That’s just one of an avalanche of honors (including the 2014 NBNI and 2013 NBNO 400s) she has won individually and with relays in her prep career.  But with a 2014 best of 53.26 and career PR of 52.71, she will still be hard-pressed to earn even a relay spot.  That’s because the entries also include U. of Miami (Fla.) frosh Shakima Wimbley at 51.68, Tennessee frosh Felecia Majors at 52.65, Ohio State frosh Aaliyah Barnes at 52.70 and South Carolina frosh Precious Holmes at 52.89.  Holmes, by the way – in one of the bright spots of an injury-plagued senior year at Hillhouse, CT – beat Baker in a thrilling 2013 NBNI 400.

800m run

On paper, former NBN in/out double champ Sabrina Southerland is the top seed in the 800, while Olivia Baker is the 5th seed.  But the physical condition and mental readiness of these two and other key players might be a completely different story.  Southerland, whose 2:03.59 at NBNI in 2013 is #2 all-time indoors and who also anchored winning relays at NBNI while at Benjamin Cardozo, NY, hit 2:04.21 as Georgetown frosh – the top 2014 mark among entries – but struggled somewhat at the end of the year.  Whether she can return to form is up in the air.

Meanwhile, the prep to beat is 2012/2014 NBNO 800 champ Raevyn Rogers (Kinkaid School, TX senior) – or at least so it seemed three weeks ago.  Then at the Brooks race, the 2013 World Youth bronze medalist (2:03.22) was just 5th at 2:06.67.  Among those beating her was Rose Christian (Central Kitsap, WA senior), a rising star with a 2:05.84 best.  Preps Sarah Walker (Germantown Friends, PA soph) and Mikaela Smith (Clovis North, CA junior and Youth Olympic Trials champ) have also broken 2:07.  And then there’s collegian Shea Martinez (BYU) with a 2:05.98 entry mark – she anchored the winning 4x8 at 2013 NBNI while with Davis, UT.

Then there’s Baker.  When the chips are down, she has shown the electric ability to produce unreal performances – like in the Penn 4x8 this year as she took Columbia, NJ to a come-from-behind win with her 2:02 split.  But she didn’t rise to the occasion in the same way against Rogers at NBNO.  Her best in an open race is still 2:06, so it will be fascinating to see how she does here and handles the potential 400/800 double.

1,500m run

In this event here, fans wanted – badly – to finally get a matchup between middle-distance running’s “big three” of the past two years: Mary Cain, Alexa Efraimson and Elise Cranny.  They’ll have to settle for two out of three, though, as Cain has unexpectedly opted for the 3,000.  Still, Efraimson and Cranny haven’t raced each other since on the track since the 2013 Portland Track Festival 1,500 more than a year ago (Cranny won) and haven’t raced at all since the 2013 NXN Final last December (Efraimson won).

Both Efraimson and Cranny have compiled stunning 2014 slates despite not meeting up.  The former, a Camas, WA junior, reached new heights indoors with a 9:00.16 3k on the oversized U-W oval and then a 4:32.15 mile at Millrose.  Outdoors, she broke 10:00 in the Arcadia 3,200, surpassed the national 1,600/mile mark and, in her best effort of the year, took 10th in the adidas Grand Prix 1,500 against the pros with a 4:07.05.  That was followed last week by a moderate setback, missing the USATF Senior 1,500 final after a 4:12.89 prelim. 

Cranny (Niwot, CO senior), meanwhile, won the NBNI 800 back in March (as well as the USATF Jr. XC race) and has had outdoor bests of 2:04.81 for 800, 4:10.95 for 1,500 (US#1 until Efraimson’s 4:07) and 10:17.48 for 3,200.  She raced the Prefontaine 1,500 against the pros and hit 4:13.38.  Needless to say, anyone in the Junior 1,500 field beating one of these two would be a monumental upset. 

3,000m run

As folks pondered what Mary Cain would do relative to the World Juniors in 2014, the thinking was that it would be one of two options.  Cain would go for the WJ team in the 1,500 and try and improve on her 6th-place finish from the 2012 World Juniors … or she would forego the meet and just stick to the Senior meet or another plan built around pro-level competition.  No one really imagined the Bronxville, NY grad would opt for the 3,000 at Juniors, an event she hasn’t contested since winter of 2013, but … there you have it.  Of course, in that winter of 2013, she had two epic performances beyond a mile, with a 9:02.10 at U-W for 3k and a 9:38.68 2-mile at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.  Although she will hardly have to run all out to win and make the team here, it will be interesting indeed to see what kind of time she can put up at Worlds.

Who else will join Cain on Team USA?  The best bet is Stephanie Jenks, another prodigal talent who as a Linn-Mar, IA soph this year has a best of 9:24.67 for 3k.  She has also run 4:42 for the mile (2nd at adidas) and 10:06 for the deuce (3rd at Brooks).

5,000m run

You can’t blame the entrants in the women’s 5,000 meters if they feel like the “third wheel” among the distance events here at the WJ Trials.  With the star power of current all-time greats Mary Cain, Alexa Efraimson and Elise Cranny in the 1,500 and 3,000, the fan interest level in the 5k is a bit muted.  But that’s hardly to say there’s not some great talent in the 12-1/2 lap race.

The above-mentioned Jenks, with a 16:37.50 from her runner-up NBNI race, is entered in this as well as the 3k.  Audrey Belf, a Birmingham Seaholm, MI junior, has been as fast as 10:10 for 2 miles (2nd at NBNI) and her debut on the track at this distance could yield a low 16.  She was five seconds behind Jenks at Brooks.  From the collegiate ranks, Maggie Schmaedick, repping the home team Ducks, has a 16:18.24 best.

110m hurdles

The idea of Dior Hall being an underdog in any Youth-, prep- or even Junior-level race in the U.S. would have seemed unfathomable in the last few years.  But such has been the improvement of Kendell Williams as a U. of Georgia frosh that even though Hall has finally beaten her 2011 breakthrough at Great Southwest, she’s looking up to a 12.99 from a peer.  Both, of course, have stellar resumes, too exhaustive to list in full detail here.  Hall (Denver Science and Tech/George Washington, CO senior) first really showed her super talent with that legendary 13.18 as a frosh at Great Southwest, then finally surpassed that with a 13.09 at state in May.  She hasn’t gotten her long-sought-after 12.95 HSR yet, but she did nail it indoors when she rocked a national record 8.11 60H at NBNI.  Another big career highlight was the fastest-ever prep mark over the 30” 100H in taking World Youth silver last summer.  She also made Team USA for World Juniors in 2012, but fell in the final.

Of course, many of Williams’ superlatives have come in the heptathlon – too much to detail here.  But don’t forget that she was World Youth runner-up behind Trinity Wilson in 2011 and that the 100H was the event she really improved dramatically in as a senior at Kell, GA, hitting a US#1 13.23 (though she didn’t face Hall outdoors).  Williams claimed almost too many NBN titles to count, including the 2013 100H crown but also the 100H AND the 400H as a freshman in 2010!  So maybe the 12.99 isn’t so much a surprise as something that’s been a long time coming.

Four others in the field have entered under 13.70, including Chantel Ray (Hampton, VA senior) and Tiana Bonds (Centennial, NV senior).  Bonds was a very close 2nd behind Hall at GSW.

400m hurdles

Shamier Little doesn’t seem like the vengeful type, or one consumed by redemption.  But if she’s been driven by those type of emotions at all in 2014, she’s certainly let her feet do the talking.  In 2012, as a junior at Chicago’s Lindblom Prep, Little won the Junior 400H with a mighty 57.44 and was ranked 3rd in the world going into Barcelona.  But a heartbreaking fall ended her medal chances.  Then in 2013, Little ran the flat 400 at Juniors and seemed a little like someone ready to wrap up her prep career and move on.  Well, as a Texas A&M frosh, she has become a devastating hurdling force, powering through the low 57s, the 56s and finally a jaw-dropping 55.07 to become the NCAA champ.  No Junior globally is within 1.7 seconds of her and she has the world’s top six performances.

But it’s not just Little; the talent of the entries in this event is so great, that it could take 58-something just to make the final and 41-second prep 300H performers might get shut out.  They include the amazing US#1 and NBNO 400H champ Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic, NJ frosh), whose 56.89 is faster than all but two juniors in the world, but she is too young to make the team.  Harvard frosh Jade Miller has a 57.22 best; she made the Pan Am Junior team last year when she was the top prep out of Great Oak, CA.  Four others have run under 59 – mostly collegians but also including NBNO runner-up Emma Gallagher (Garden City, NY junior) at 58.87.

But then there’s all the 300H talent that is moving up in distance.  The two girls tied at US#140.90 – Great Southwest champ Tiana Bonds (Centennial, NV senior) and amazing Piedmont Hills, CA frosh Reonna Collier – are both entered.  In fact, any other year without the likes of Sydney McLaughlin, Collier would be the long hurdler the nation would be raving about.  Four others have run between 41.18 and 41.50.  Watching this event unfold from prelims to the final dash to the line in the final will be something to behold.

3k steeplechase

Five college frosh have entry times between 10:23 and 10:35, which could make it a more competitive race that usual in this event.  The top seed is Purdue frosh Hope Schmelzle and there are no prep entries.

10,000m racewalk

Katie Michta walked just 58:15.29 in this race last year for 6th place, trying to come back from a heel injury and then appendicitis.  This year a healthy Michta, with a US#2 52:10.0 best and ranking 1st or 2nd among preps at two other distances, will be tough to beat.  But there’s still Brenda McCollum (Fall River, KS senior), who was 2nd last year and has a 51:55.0 best this year.  Actually, McCollum, Michta, Katharine Newhoff (East Islip, NY junior) at 52:38.0 and Monika Farmer (Connetquot, NY junior) at 53:14.0 all got their bests at a March 30 race and finished in that order.  They are arguably the top contenders in that order.  Holly Lindoe, a Sachem East, NY alum now at Franklin Pierce, qualified in the race with a 15:54.91 3,000 and should be in the mix as well.

Photos (from top right)
* Ariana Washington at last year's World Youth (photo by Joy Kamani)
* Kendall Baisden at 2013 Pan Am Juniors (photo by Joy Kamani)
* Mary Cain at the 2013 World Champs (seniors) (photo by John Nepolitan)
* Shamier Little at the 2012 World Juniors (photo by Joy Kamani)
* Katie Michta at the 2013 USATF JOs (photo by Steve Underwood, courtesy of DyeStat.com)

Event-by-event previews for the men's field events at the 2014 USATF Juniors in Eugene (men's track HERE, women's track HERE, women's field HERE).  Top two in each event qualify for the World Junior Champs later this month on the same track (provided they meet the performance standard) – though a host country rule actually allows one entrant in each event for the U.S., regardless of whether they’ve met the standard.

Long Jump and Triple Jump

You might be asking yourself, why are the long jump and triple jump being previewed together?  The answer is this:  Until proven otherwise, a certain Castro Valley, CA high school senior is the athlete to beat – no matter what the entry marks or seedings might indicate.  Ever since a narrow long jump defeat to California rival Adoree’ Jackson at Simplot back in February, Nathanial Moore has been impossible to beat.  He faced outstanding fields of long and triple jumpers at New Balance Nationals Indoor.  No matter, he captured both with supreme marks of US#1 25-0.75 and US#2 50-8.75.  Outdoors, he’s been nearly perfect, with one small TJ blemish and major victories at Stanford, Mt. SAC, Golden West, CIF state and much more. 

But he’ll be challenged, that’s for sure, with Team NSAF at the forefront.  Project Triple Jumpers KeAndre Bates (El Paso Burges, TX senior) and Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia, IL soph) hope to show their magic – like the magic that got Bates in the 2013 World Youth Final or the magic that won the Great Southwest long jump for Ward.  Other top entrants in the triple include NBNO champ John Warren (Prince George, VA senior).

Pole Vault

Similar to the horizontal jumps, the pole vault has had a clear ruler for 2014 and, until proven otherwise, King is The King in this event.  That would be Devin King, the unbeaten Jewel Sumner, LA senior who reigns supreme among all preps and, it appears very likely, over all Juniors as well.  From the Reno Vault Summit back in January, King has been blowing over bars and blowing through the competition.  The apex indoors was 17-10.25, which he cleared to set a new national record. 

The HSR and the coveted 18-foot barrier haven’t yet come outdoors and, truth be told, there was a stretch this spring where it looked like King was vulnerable.  He was unpressed competitively in April and May and then at the Texas state meet, Brandon Bray exploded on the scene with his junior class record and a then-US#1 17-8.5.  But at NBNO, King confirmed his supremacy with a meet record 17-8.5.

Javelin

Last June, a rising collegian named Justin Carter – having finished at Auburn HS and headed to Auburn University – came to the NSAF’s Chicagoland Throws.  His PR was a 208-9 from the Mobile Challenge of Champs, two months earlier, and he had been stuck in the 190s through the end of his state season.  In Chicago, he hit 211-8, exceeding his best by three feet and with one of the best efforts of the weekend in any throw.  He went on to NBNO and improved again to 212-7 for the national title. 

So started the transformation of Justin Carter.  This spring at Auburn, he’s been consistent in the 215 to 225 range, with a monster PR of 239-7 for 2nd at the SEC meet, and made it to NCAAs.  He’s without question the man to beat here. 

There are several top preps who will challenge, though, led by John Nizich (Central Catholic, OR senior), who won NBNO with 222-3 and with a US#2 mark of 222-9 as a PR.  US#1 Curtis Thompson (Florence, NJ senior) at 224-10 is also here, looking for redemption after taking 3rd at NBNO.  The field also includes surprising NBNO runner-up Nick Solfanelli (Scranton Prep, PA senior) with a 214-5 best and fast improving 4th-place finisher from Greensboro John Putnam (Massapequa, NY) at 206-0.  Other top collegians are Nicholas Danner of Rhode Island at 221-6 and Cody Walton of Nebraska at 220-6.

Shot Put

Predicting the men’s shot put, discus and hammer at the Junior meet is always a chore, thanks to the intermediate “Junior” weight used for each implement.  It’s a heavier ball or disc for the preps and a lighter one than the collegians have become accustomed to.  Getting a sense for whether the top preps or top college freshmen will fare best, based on marks with their own implements, can be tricky.  In the shot, however, the favorites are pretty clear – a pair of putters who were the nation’s best as preps in 2013 had marks then that are better than what anyone has done this year.  And given that they have excelled now with the 16-pound ball as well, there is little question that they are the guys to beat.

Braheme Days, Jr. was a mighty force in his four years at Bridgeton, NJ, his sophomore year intersecting with the final year of Nick Vena’s reign in that state and the nation.  That year, 2011, Days made the World Youth team and shone in Lille with a bronze medal performance.  The following winter he would throw a career prep PR of 70-8 and win the first of three NBN indoor and outdoor crowns.  At UCLA this spring, he has continued to excel with a 62-3.5 best with the 16-pound ball.  The other prep noted above is Nick Ponzio, the Great Oak, CA grad now at U. of Florida.  He hit 69-7.25 to lead the nation in 2013, then was 2nd to Days at NBNO.  He is also adjusting pretty well to the bigger ball with a 60-7.25 best.

Many of the top preps are here, including US#2 Kord Ferguson (Ottawa, KS senior), who has hit 67-10 and whose unbeaten record includes a Great Southwest triumph. 

Discus

Who is going to excel more with the Junior-weight discus?  The 210- to 212-foot high school throwers?  Or the 187-foot collegiate thrower?  You would figure both to be in the mid-high 190s with the Junior implement and whoever makes the adjustment best and is “on” on the day will succeed and possibly represent Team USA at the World Juniors.

For the preps, you have a great group of half a dozen that have thrown 196 or further.  You really have to start with US#2 Kord Ferguson (Ottawa, KS senior), also in the shot.  His 210-6 led the nation much of the year and he won the big Great Southwest showdown with Missouri’s Davis twins.  That would be Carlos and Khalil Davis, Blue Springs juniors – Carlos had that US#1 stunner of 212-5 at his state meet, but was 5th at GSW behind his runner-up brother – whose PR is 198-5.  Then there’s 2013 World Youth teammates Reno Tuufuli (Liberty, NV senior) and Amir Ali Patterson (Crespi, CA senior), who sport PRs of 199-11 and 196-10.

Hammer

Unlike the discus and shot, a lot of the prep hammer guys DO throw the heavier hammers (both Junior and Senior), so there’s some basis for comparison.  US#1 prep Daniel Haugh of Throw 1 Deep (St. Pius X senior) has marks of 235-4 for the prep hammer and 225-0 for the junior hammer.  He hasn’t thrown the senior/collegiate weight for comparison, but it’s not a stretch to call him the favorite.  Brock Eager (Tahoma, WA senior) has a fresh, new PR of 231-0, from just last week, and has also done 204-9 and 190-11 for the 16-pounder.  Suffice it to say, he can throw much further with the junior hammer.  Then there’s Colin Minor (South Brunswick, NC senior), a 2013 World Youth finalist, who is up to 229-6, 208-6 and 187-1.  Among a deep group of preps here, they are the ones to beat.

Among the collegians, there’s newcomers to the event Matthew Seawright of Cerritos College, who has hit 204-9 this year, and Mitchell Dixon of Saddleback College at 201-2.  More familiar to fans of the event is Wake Forest frosh Charlie Ionata at 201-1 – he threw 241-0 last year with the prep hammer as a Barrington, RI senior.

Photos (from top right):
* Nate Moore at the Simplot Games (photo by Rich Gonzalez, PrepCalTrack.com)
* Devin King during his NBNO PV victory (photo by Andrew McClanahan, Photorun.net)
* Brahame Days, Jr. from back at the 2011 World Youth Champs (photo by Joy Kamani)
* Daniel Haugh after winning the Simplot Games weight throw (photo by Joy Kamani)

Note: Top two finishers in each event are expected to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Jr Champs unless they have not met qualifying standards (as indicated in highlights).

MAJOR RECORDS: Whitney, Fridays, Williams, McLaughlin!

NATIONAL HS and WORLD YOUTH RECORD 11.10(+0.9w) 100m, US#1 22.49(+1.3w) 200m (#2 ALL-TIME and also WORLD YOUTH RECORD) women’s sprint double by Star Athletics’ Kaylin Whitney (East Ridge, FL soph). 

• In the 100 Saturday, Whitney beat the former HSR of 11.11 (Angela Williams, 1998) and WYR of 11.13 (Chandra Cheeseborough, 1976).  She topped Ariana Washington (Long Beach Poly, CA senior) at 11.30 (prev. US#1 at 11.22), Teahna Daniels (First Academy, FL junior) at 11.31 and Arizona Cheetahs’ Ky Westbrook (Chandler, AZ senior) at US#6 11.43 (most/all likely to get chosen for 4x100 relay pool).  Whitney had run 11.17 in H1 of the prelims (#7 all-time), improving her US#1 and tying the soph class HSR (Marion Jones).
• In the 200 Sunday, Whitney surpassed the former WYR of 22.58 (Marion Jones, 1992).  Her time was also the #2 “performance” in prep history and best ever at low-altitude as only Allyson Felix’s 22.11 (2003, Mexico City) is faster.  It was also a soph class national record (Marion Jones, 22.76, 1991).  She was followed by collegians Jada Martin (LSU) 23.02 and Brittany Brown (Iowa) at 23.10.  Whitney had earlier run 23.22(+1.2w), then US#4, in H1 to lead qualifiers.

NATIONAL HS RECORD 10.00(+1.6w) 100m, ALL-CONDITIONS #1 ALL-TIME 20.03w(+2.9) 200m men’s sprint “double” by GJTC’s Trentavis Friday (Cherryville, NC senior). 

• In the 100 prelim Saturday (H1), Friday nipped the former mark of 10.01 (Jeff Demps, 2008).  Unfortunately, he false-started the final, with Baylor frosh Trayvon Bromell (10.08 H2 winner) prevailing in 10.07(+1.2w).  Bromell was followed by 1st Coast TC’s Kendal Williams (Stanton Prep, FL senior) at US#3 10.27, collegian Jalen Miller (Ole Miss frosh) at 10.29 and Life Speed’s Terry Jernigan (East Ridge, FL senior).
• In the 200 Sunday, Friday ran .10 faster than the 1987 Roy Martin HSR of 20.13, pulling away from the above-mentioned Williams at 20.46w (all-cond. US#2, #15 all-time) down the stretch.  Collegian Robert Ellis III (American River frosh) and Quashawn Cunningham (Mallard Creek, NC senior) followed in 20.81w and 20.83w).  Friday had run 20.39(+0.6w) and Williams 20.49w(+3.9) in their prelims.

AMERICAN JR RECORD 12.87(+2.0w) women's 100m hurdles by collegian Kendell Williams (Georgia frosh) Sunday, just ahead of US#1 13.00 (#2 ALL-TIME) by FK Elite’s Dior Hall (Denver Science and Tech/George Washington, CO senior).  Williams ducked under the previous AJR of 12.91 (Kristi Castlin, 2007) and was just .03 off the World Jr Record of 12.84 (Aliuska Lopez, Cuba, 1987).  Hall topped her previous PR and US#1 of 13.09 and was just .05 off Candy Young’s HSR of 12.95 from 1979.  Collegians Skylar Ross-Ransom (Florida frosh) and Cece Jackson (Portland State frosh) were 3-4 at 13.57 and 13.58, while Mecca McGlaston (Dublin, CA soph) was 5th at US#11 13.63.

US#1 55.63 women’s 400m hurdles (#2 ALL-TIME) by Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic, NJ frosh) Sunday, finishing 2nd to NCAA champ Shamier Little (Texas A&M frosh) at 55.43.  McLaughlin’s performance was her 4th FROSH CLASS HSR of the year and is the fastest prep 400H since Leslie Maxie set the 55.20 HSR 30 years ago.  McLaughlin, however, is too young to be eligible for the World Junior Champs – having been born in 1999.  Following McLaughlin were collegian Jade Miller (Harvard frosh) at 57.27, Reonna Collier (Piedmont Hills, CA frosh) at US#2 58.55, collegian Bryiana Richardson (LSU frosh) at 58.61 and Tiana Bonds (Centennial, NV senior) at US#6 59.44.  Collier’s time, as well as her 58.61 in prelims, would have been frosh class HSR’s, pre-McLaughlin. 

More US#1s

• US#1 7,734 men’s (Junior) decathlon by Harrison Williams (Memphis U. HS, TN senior) on June 25-26 (Sacramento), #2 all-time with the Junior implements – just 14 points off Gunnar Nixon’s national record.  In 2nd was Gabriel Moore (Freeport, FL senior) at US#2 7,594, #4 all-time.  Collegian Mitch Modin (Oregon frosh) was 3rd at 7,493.
• US#1 44-1.5(+1.3w) women’s triple jump by NSAF Project Triple Jumper Keturah Orji (Mt. Olive, NJ senior) Saturday, beating her NJ MOC performance by a quarter inch.  Only at World Youth last year has she ever had a better legal outdoor jump (#2 all-time 44-11).  Following were collegians Marshay Ryan (Auburn frosh) at 43-3w(+2.1) and Simone Charley (Vanderbilt frosh) at 43-2.5(+1.8w).  Orji’s NSAF teammate Chinne Okoronkwo (Mountlake Terrace, WA soph) was 5th at US#5 41-1.75(+0.7w).
• US#1 5,418-point women’s heptathlon (#5 all-time) by Elite Athletics’ Ashlee Moore (Hamilton, AZ senior).  She was followed by Shaina Burns (Prior Lake, MN senior) at US#2 5,363 – good for #8 all-time.  Collegian Emily Godwin (North Carolina frosh) was 3rd at 5,304.
• All-conditions US#1 53-7w(+3.0) men’s triple jump by Nate Moore (Castro Valley, CA senior) Sunday – #5 all-time, all-conditions.  It’s the furthest prep TJ of any kind in 10 years.  Unfortunately, Moore does not have a wind-legal qualifier for WC.  He was trailed by collegian Hayden McClain (Oklahoma frosh) at 51-9.25(+1.0w).  NSAF Project Triple jumpers KeAndre Bates (El Paso Burges, TX senior) at 50-5.5(+1.1w) and Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia, IL soph) at 50-0w(+3.1) were 3rd and 5th, split by NBNO champ John Warren (Prince George, VA senior) at 50-0.75w(+2.2).
• US#1 9:03.92 men’s 3,000m steeplechase (#9 all-time) by 2kST HSR-holder and NBNO champ Bailey Roth (Coronado, CO senior) Sunday, outkicking collegian Bryce Miller (UMKC frosh) at 9:04.40.  Roth won despite falling after a hurdle with a few laps left.  Collegians Chris Mulverhill (Oregon frosh) and Tyler Brinks (Hope College frosh) were 3rd at 9:20.55 and 5th at 9:29.32, split by previous US#1 prep Tyler Ranke (Hilton, NY senior) at 9:27.41.
• US#1 9:15.87 women’s 3,000m run (#9 all-time) by Nike Oregon Project’s Mary Cain (Bronxville, NY senior) Saturday, pulling away in the last 800 from Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Mar, IA soph) at 9:28.00.  Collegian Maggie Montoya (Baylor frosh) was 3rd at 9:47.28. 
• US#1 50.13 men’s 400m hurdles (#12 all-time) by NBNO champ Kenny Selmon (Pace Acad., GA senior) Sunday, taking 2nd behind collegian Timothy Holmes (Baylor frosh) at 50.02.  Khalifah Rosser (unatt.) was 3rd at 50.62, ahead of preps John Lint (Columbus Acad., OH senior) at 51.72 and Robert Grant (Brophy Prep, AZ senior) at 51.86.  Lint ran a US#3 51.63 in the prelims, while Cameron Dopp (Woods Cross, UT senior) hit US#6 52.17 and Max Dordevic (Jesuit, OR senior) US#9 52.78.
• US#1 52.46 women’s 400m dash by Olivia Baker (Columbia, NJ senior) Sunday, beating her 2013 PR and finishing 2nd to collegian Kendall Baisden (Texas frosh) at 52.21.  They were followed by collegians Shakima Wimbley (Miami, Fla.) at 52.55 and Felecia Majors (Tennessee) at 53.42.  Baker on Saturday ran a US#5 52.96 prelim to lead qualifiers to the final.
• US#1 31:01.25 men’s 10,000m run for Conner Mantz (Sky View, UT junior) Sunday, good for 3rd behind collegians Jonathan Green (Georgetown frosh) at 30:54.62 and Brendan Shearn (Penn frosh) at 30:55.52.
• US#1 201-0 men’s Junior discus by Kord Ferguson (Ottawa, KS senior) Saturday, #4 all-time for preps with the Junior weight implement.  He was followed by collegian Ryan N jegovan (St. Francis, Ill. Frosh) at 195-11 and Throwers’ Respect’s Reno Tuufuli, Jr. (Liberty, NV senior) at 192-5.
• US#1 63-2.75 men’s Junior discus by Trebuchet Field’s Amir Ali Patterson (Crespi, CA senior) Sunday, placing 2nd to collegian Brahame Days, Jr. at 65-5.5, but becoming the #5 prep all-time with the Junior weight implement.  Days, a UCLA frosh, led from throw one while future teammate Patterson moved into 2nd on his final throw.  In 3rd was collegian Olayinka Awotunde (South Carolina frosh) at 62-10.75. 
• 55-10.25 women’s shot put by NBN in/out double champ Raven Saunders (Burke, SC senior) Saturday, less than a foot off her US#1 and HSR of 56-8.25.  She had three throws of 53-9 or better after an atypical start of less than 50 feet.  Collegians Aaliyah Pete (Colorado State frosh) and Katelyn Daniels (Michigan State frosh) followed at 53-7 and 50-2.  Stamatia Scarvelis (Dos Pueblos, CA senior) was the next prep in 4th at 50-0.5 and NSAF Project Javelin thrower Sophia Rivera (Brentwood, MO soph) was 5th with a PR 47-2.5.
• 14-1.25 women’s pole vault by Texas Pole Vault’s standing US#1 (14-3.25 HSR) Desiree Freier (Justin Northwest, TX senior) Sunday, her best outdoor mark since she set her record back in March.  In 2nd with a big PR and US#3 13-11.25 (#9 all-time) was Get Vertical’s Bonnie Draxler (Wrightown, WI senior), followed by collegian Annie Rhodes (Baylor frosh) at 13-9.25 and Kaitlyn Merritt (Santa Margarita, CA junior) at 13-7.25 (prev. US#3 with 13-9 PR).
• 48:19.16 men’s 10,000m racewalk by the Elgin Sharks’ standing US#1 (45:54.0 PR) Anthony Peters (Bartlett, IL senior) Saturday, less than four seconds ahead of twin brother Alexander at US#2 48:23.04 and reversing their 2-3 finish from 2013.  Not too far behind in 3rd was Miami Valley TC”s Cameron Haught at 48:41.99 (Yellow Springs, OH frosh) – just off his US#3 mark of 48:36.0.

More US Top 5s

• US#2 13.42(+1.7w) men’s 110m hurdles (#17 all-time) by HOF Hurdling’s Misana Viltz (Long Beach Milikan, CA senior), taking 2nd to collegian Nicholas Anderson (Kentucky frosh) at 13.37.  The Durham Striders’ Isaiah Moore (Cummings, NC senior), standing US#1 at 13.40, was a heartbreaking 3rd in 13.44 after qualifying 2nd overall behind Anderson in prelims with 13.41(+1.3w).
• US#2 1:48.43 men’s 800m run (#19 all-time) by Myles Marshall (Kingwood, TX junior), finishing 2nd to collegian Tre’Tez Kinnaird (Indiana frosh) at 1:48.01.  NBNI champ Derek Holdsworth (Lafayette, VA senior) was 3rd at 1:49.07 after a US#6 1:48.97 in the prelims.  Charles Jones, Jr. (Cardinal Ritter, MO senior) was 4th in the final at US#7 1:49.54 and Robert Ford (San Antonio Johnson, TX senior) 5th at US#10 1:50.04.
• US#2 20-10.75(+1.7w) women’s long jump by Speed Denver’s Chyna Ries (Denver East, CO senior) Sunday, in 3rd place – a half-inch out of first.  She trailed collegians Jazmin McCoy (Nebraska frosh) and Quanesha Burks (Alabama frosh), both at 20-11.25 (McCoy winning with better 2nd jump).  NSAF Project Triple Jump’s Keturah Orji was a quarter-inch behind Ries, 4th at 20-10.50w(+2.9), barely off her US#1 PR.
• US#3 2:04.40 women’s 800m run by Raevyn Rogers (Kinkaid School, TX senior) Sunday, holding off collegian Sabrina Southerland (Georgetown frosh) at 2:04.83.  They were followed by Kaley Ciluffo (Pleasant Valley, IA junior) at 2:07.08 and Rose Christian (Central Kitsap, WA senior) at 2:08.21.
• US#3 3:50.51 men’s 1,500m run by Grant Fisher (Grand Blanc, MI junior) Sunday, finishing 2nd to collegian Patrick Joseph (Virginia Tech) at 3:49.76.  Cameron Villarreal (Texas A&M frosh) was 3rd in 3:51.75 as collegians took the next three spots ahead of Austin Tamagno (Brea Olinda, CA soph) at 3:54.04 (3:53.39 prelim).
• US#3 52:33.06 women’s 10,000m racewalk by Walk USA’s Katharine Newhoff (East Islip, NY junior), more than a minute ahead of Anali Cisneros (Elgin, IL junior) at 53.42.86 and Walk USA’s Katie Michta (Sachem North, NY senior) at 53:46.89.
• 17-6.5 men’s pole vault by Bartolina Athletics’ standing US#1 (17-8.5 PR) Devin King (Sumner, LA senior), finishing 2nd to collegian Cole Walsh (Oregon frosh) – also with 17-6.5 (fewer misses).  Collegian Grant Sisserson (Cornell frosh) was 3rd at 17-4.5 and Team Elite’s Paulo Benavides (El Paso Franklin, TX junior) 4th at US#5 17-2.75.
• 216-0 men’s javelin by standing US#1 (224-10 PR) Curtis Thompson (Florence Memorial, NJ senior) Saturday, defeating John Nizich (Central Catholic, OR senior) at 211-8 – and reversing their finish at NBNO.  Elijah Marta (Sierra Footh) was 3rd at 210-3.  Only Thompson has the World Jr qualifier.
• 188-8 women’s hammer by standing US#1 (193-5 PR) Haley Showalter (Valor Christian, CO junior) Saturday, with her last throw beating collegians Brooke Anderson (Northern Arizona frosh) at 184-7 and Freya Block (Southern Illinois frosh) at 178-9.  Lena Giger (Highland, IL senior) was the 2nd prep with a 178-4 in 4th.
• 4:16.87 women’s 1,500m run by Alexa Efraimson (Camas, WA junior) Sunday, kicking away from rival Elise Cranny (Niwot, CO senior) at 4:17.40.  8th-grader Bryn Morley (Bigfork, MT) was 3rd in 4:26.34, a time which only five preps have beaten this year, followed by Catherine Pagano (Northern Highlands, NJ junior) at US#8 4:29.46 and Rebekah Topham (Griswold, IA junior) at US#11 4:31.35.

More outstanding victories and prep performances

• 175-0 women’s javelin by NSAF Project Javelin alum Megan Glasmann Sunday, competing unattached.  She finished ahead of collegian Rebekah Wales (LSU frosh) at 164-7, Oregon South TC’s Gabrielle Kearney (Roseburg OR junior) at 161-1 and Sophia Rivera (Brentwood, MO soph) at US#6 157-0.  Rivera, a current Project Jav athlete, nailed a 9-foot PR and threw 154 or better three times.
• 26-4.5(+1.7w) men’s long jump by collegian Trayvon White (Central Arizona), taking the lead on his 3rd jump and hitting the PR on his 6th – his only two fair jumps.  Kenneth Fisher (Bethune-Cookman frosh) was 2nd at 25-8.75w(+2.6).  The top preps were Nate Moore (Castro Valley, CA senior) in 4th at 24-08.5(+1.6w) and NSAF Project TJ’ers Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia, IL soph) in 7th at US#7 24-6.5(+1.5w) and KeAndre Bates (El Paso Burges, TX senior) at US#8 24-5.5(+2.0w).
• 188-8 women’s discus by Valarie Allman (Stanford frosh) on her first throw, as collegians took the top six places.  Katelyn Daniels (Michigan State frosh) was 2nd at 174-9 and Julie Lange 3rd at 164-6.
• US#8 17:01.75 women’s 5,000m run by Audrey Belf (Birmingham Seaholm, MI junior) Sunday, winning by more than 20 seconds in sweltering heat.  Collegians Anna Peer (Nebraska frosh) and Jocelyn Caro (Texas Tech frosh) took the next two spots in 17:23.89 and 17:31.24.  Only 5th-place finisher Maggie Schamaedick (U. of Oregon frosh) has the qualifying standard.
• 5-10.5 women’s high jump by NBNO champ Bailey Weiland (Marist, GA senior) Saturday.  She was followed by Rachel Reichenbach (Foothill, CA senior), Elite Athletics’ hept champ Ashlee Moore (Hamilton, AZ senior) and Cyre Virgo (Fleetwood Area, PA junior) in 2-3-4.  All cleared 5-8.75 with the order determined on misses.  Only Weiland has the qualifier.
• 222-01 men’s hammer by Charlie Ionata (Wake Forest frosh) Sunday, leading from his first throw and pacing a 1-2 finish by collegians.  He was trailed by Clarence Gallop (Charleston Southern frosh) and the first prep, Colin Minor (South Brunswick, NC senior) at 214-6.
• 45.74 men’s 400m dash by Tyler Brown (Eastern Michigan frosh) Sunday, as collegians took the top three spots.  Brown surged ahead of early leader Michael Cherry, Jr. (Florida State frosh), then Lamar Bruton (Ohio State frosh) passed him at the tape, as well, 46.11 to 46.12.  NBNO champ and standing US#2 (46.23 PR) Josephus Lyles (T.C. Williams) was 4th with 46.55. while the other two preps in the final – Ricky Morgan (Forest Park, VA senior) and Taylor McLaughlin (Union Catholic, NJ junior) – were 5th and 7th in US#7 46.71 and US#11 46.81.
• 6-10.75 men’s high jump by Jonathan Wells (Grant Community, IL senior) Sunday, with collegian Justin Kretchmer (Kentucky frosh) and Landon Bartel (Southern Boone, MO senior) tied for 2nd at 6-8.75. 
• 14:33.20 men’s 5,000m run by Elijah Armstrong (Pocatello, ID junior; already US#3 at 14:29.58) Saturday, leading prep finishers in 4th behind winner Colby Gilbert (U. of Washington frosh) at 14:21.46 and two other collegians.  Levi Thomet (Kodiak, AK junior) was 6th in 14:41.25, just off his 14:40.44 PR, while Albert Meier (Boone, IA senior) and Andrew Goldman (Herndon, VA senior) were 7th and 8th in US#10 14:43.35 and US#11 14:44.82.
• 10:24.46 women’s 3,000m steeplechase by Elinor Purrier (New Hampshire frosh) Sunday, as collegians took the top three spots.  She was followed by Hope Schmelzle (Purdue frosh) in 10:35.19 and Julie Friend (California PA frosh) in 10:36.55.

Jim Spier published frequent form charts for Team USA prospects for the 2014 World Junior Champs.  Here is a comparison of the final form chart vs. the actual results and team qualifiers.

Team USA FORM CHART vs. ACTUAL RESULTS

With the USATF Juniors just completed, here are Jim Spier's medal predictions for the 2014 IAAF World Junior Champs in Eugene, July 22-27:

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPS PREDICTIONS

Team USA for the 2014 World Junior Championships in Eugene, July 22-27, has officially been named.

USATF Press Release

Here are the best performances by both the top high school athletes and top elite/pro athletes, side by side, for the Saturday, July 12, 2014 Chicagoland Throws: MALE | FEMALE

Chicagoland Throws Feature Story

With more updates since the USATF Juniors were completed, here are Jim Spier's form chart and medal predictions, updated July 11, for the 2014 IAAF World Junior Champs in Eugene, July 22-27:

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPS FORM CHART/ PREDICTIONS

This year after the New Balance Nationals Outdoor, there was a special opportunity awaiting the top three finishers in each of the four girls’ and four boys’ throwing events.  In essence, these cream of the crop prep shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throwers were asked if they’d like to join us at a one of a kind extravaganza, designed just for them.  Would they like to compete in a throws-only meet, where they’d have center state?  Would they like to compete alongside and, yes, WITH the American elites in our sport?  Like Olympic discus champion and American record-holder Stephanie Brown-Trafton?  Like javelin and hammer American record-holders Kara Patterson and Amanda Bingson?  Or how about current and aspiring Olympians like Russ Winger, Tim Glover, Sean Furey, Kibwe Johnson, Zach Lloyd, Brittany Borman, Felicia Johnson and more?

And how not only competing with these elites, but also being able to socialize with, ask advice from and be mentored by these elites?

Who would turn down that opportunity?

Not many, it turns out.  So this weekend, athletes like NBN in/out double champ and national record-setter Raven Saunders (Burke, SC senior) will be in the house, competing with and learning from these elites.  So will NBN discus and hammer winner Daniel Haugh (St. Pius X, GA senior) of the elite Throw 1 Deep club.  In fact, all eight US#1 throwers in each boys and girls event, plus six NBN outdoor and indoor champs are here.From Oregon and California will come NBNO boys’ and girls’ javelin champs John Nizich and Tairyn Montgomery – the latter part of a group of five from the NSAF’s Project Javelin. 

Event organizers also take advantage of the fact that the event is, after all, located in Chicago.  Participants will enjoy part of one evening taking in the small town charm of nearby Naperville one night, then hang out in the heart of Chicago another – with the finale of the Navy Pier fireworks display.  You can read more about the origins of the event here:  EARLIER CHICAGOLAND THROWS STORY.

You can read more about the prep entrants below:

SHOT PUT

Raven Saunders, Burke HS, SC, 2014
1st NBNO, 56-7.5 (1st NBNI, also 56-7.5)
2014 PRs: HSR 56-8.25 out, HSR 56-7.5 in
Comment: Indoor and outdoor NBN titles and national records have highlighted an unbeaten dream season for the national Gatorade T&F Girls Athlete of the Year.  Oh, and we can’t forget the USATF Junior title last weekend that earned her a Team USA berth for Worlds.  Could the relaxed competitive atmosphere yield another record?

Courtney McCartney, Selinsgrove Area HS, PA, 2015
2nd NBNO, 47-4.5 (7th NBNI, 44-2.75)
2014 PRs: US#6 49-0.25 out, 45-7.25 in
Comment:  Big breakout to 49-0.25 at PA AAA state meet was followed by runner-up effort at NBNO.  Also 3rd at Penn Relays after 2nd in 2013. 

Shaina Burns, Prior Lake HS, MN, 2014
5th NBNO 45-6.5 (13th NBNI 42-2)
PRs: 46-9.25 out, 42-2 in
Comment: Burns is best known as the nation’s #2 heptathlete, with NBNI pentathlon and NBNO heptathlon crowns, plus a 2nd at USA Jrs to make Team USA for the World Juniors.  But she is a very good putter, with a state AA title and NBNO podium finish.

SHOT and DISCUS

Ashlie Blake, Liberty HS, NV, 2014
2014 PRs: US#3 51-7.25 out, US#2 53-10.25 in / US#5 166-1 DT
No NBNO in 2014
Comment: Though coming back from an off meet at USATF Juniors last week, her great career has included a NBNI runner-up performance in March at 53-10.25, #5 all-time.  She’s been in the 51s or better every season since 2012.  She was a “wild card” pick, having no NBNO this year, but being a CTS participant last year before she took 2nd and 3rd in the NBNO SP and DT.

Lloydricia Cameron, Miami (Fla.) Northwestern HS, 2014 (X)
4th NBNO 46-4 SP, 4th 152-5 DT
2014 PRs: US#11 48-4 SP/ US#4 166-8 DT
Comment:  The many-time Florida state champ is also a CSI alum from 2013.  Has half a dozen top-6 NBNO finishes during her career.

DISCUS

Kiana Phelps, Kingsley-Pierson HS, IA, 2016
2nd NBNO 152-6
2014 PR: US#1 179-7
Comment:  Consistent 150-footer broke out in a big way with US-leader and soph class HSR in a May invite in Iowa.  Also won Drake Relays and state title, then earned bronze at NBNO.  Got her 2nd 170-footer of the year at AAU qualifier in late June.

JAVELIN

Tairyn Montgomery, Redondo Union HS, CA, 2016
1st NBNO 157-9
PR: US#5 157-9
Comment:  NSAF Project Javelin soph doesn’t throw implement during state meet season, but progressed quickly through post-season to break her 2013 PR with NBNO victory.  Previous career highlight was 2013 USATF JO intermediate title, beating future NSAF teammates Gochenour and Fitzgerald.  Was also 6th at Youth Olympic Trials.

Katelyn Gochenour, Marian Catholic HS, NE, 2016
2nd NBNO 154-11
PR: US#1 167-0
Comment:  Big PR came in college/open meet in March; she also doesn’t have JT competition in state.  Threw to strong runner-up finishes at Great Southwest and NBNO, and was 4th at YOT.  Looking to find form again after some struggles since NBNO.  Super 2013 season included Pihtapudas Jav Carnival MVP performances in Finland.

Gabby Kearney, Roseburg HS, OR, 2015
3rd NBNO, 151-10
2014 PR: US#2 166-0
Comment:  One of the nation’s biggest breakthrough throwers of 2014, she backed up her big throws in Oregon with her NBNO finish and an even better 3rd at the USATF Juniors last weekend – missed making Team USA by just three feet.  She’s improved 25 feet since last year.  Also hit 164-2 in winning state title and has five meets over 157.

Emma Fitzgerald, Thayer Academy, MA, 2016
4th NBNO 149-4
2014 PR: US#15 149-4 (149-5 in ’13)
Comment:  Fitzgerald’s most shining moment so far has been her Youth Olympic Trials win with a 168-2 with the lighter Youth jav – beating a superlative field that included several NSAF Project Jav teammates.  Her NBN performance was her first meet after coming back from a injury that developed at the Trials and kept her out rest of April and May.

HAMMER

Sabrina Gaitan, Sprayberry HS, GA, Throw 1 Deep, 2015
1st NBNO 182-2
PR: US#2 190-2 (192-5 in ’13)
Comment:  Gaitan scored a huge win over standing US#1 Haley Showalter at NBNO with her final round throw.  She’s consistent in the 180s or better.   She was also 4th at NBNI weight throw.  Competes internationally for Guatemala.

Haley Showalter, Valor Christian HS, CO, 2015
2nd NBNO 180-7
PR: US#1 193-4
Comment: Doesn’t get to throw HT regular season in Colorado, but won Youth Olympic Trials HT and DT, then hit US#1 mark to win Great Southwest.  Was beaten by Gaitan at NBNO, then came back to win USATF Juniors with 188-8 and make Team USA.

Lena Giger, Highland HS, IL, 2014
4th NBNO, 175-0
2014 PR: US#3 185-9
Comment: Best known for her shot putting through indoors and the regular outdoor season, with her 50-0 PR coming while finishing 4th at NBNI.  Then got rolling with hammer the past several weeks and is now up to 185-9.  Latest effort was 4th at USATF Juniors.  She won the USATF Youth meet with 183-1 and has been competing in other Chicagoland Throws meets.

Nyla Woods, Grady HS, GA, 2014
5th NBNO, 167-11
2014 PR: US#4 185-8
Comment:  Woods is part of a stellar 1-2 tandem for Throw 1 Deep.  Took 5th at US Juniors following her 5th at NBNO.  Surpassed 60-foot barrier in indoor weight throw with 2nd at NBNI.

BOYS

SHOT PUT

Nick Demaline, Liberty Center HS, OH, 2014
2nd NBNO 65-4
2014 PRs: US#1 68-10.5 out, US#3 63-8 in
Comment: Barely a 60-footer in 2013, he’s perhaps the country’s most improved putter at the elite level.  Was also over 66 feet in winning his D1 state meet.  His indoor state title was his first meet over 63.

Eric Favors, North Rockland HS, NY, 2015
3rd NBNO 65-1.5 (6th NBNI 60-8.5)
2014 PRs: US#7 65-5.25 out, US#5 63-0.5 in
Comment:  Both of Favor’s in and out PRs came in fine runner-up performances at his state championships.  Also 2nd at Loucks Games and 9th at Penn Relays.  Has improved tremendously since 2013.

Felipe Valencia, Palmview HS, TX, 2014
4th NBNO 63-8.75
2014 PRs:  US#11 64-6 out, US#4 63-6 in
Comment:  NBNO finish was Valencia’s first national championship appearance.  Threw 64 or better in four meets, including repeat 5A state title performance.  Also won Texas Relays.

Luke Lewis, Hickory, PA, 2014
No NBNO
2014 PRs: US#5 65-6.25 out, US#11 62-3 in
Comment:  Picked as “wild card” with the big PR he threw in his county meet.  Claimed AA state title in PA as well.  Placed 8th and 9th in NBN shots in 2013.

DISCUS

Dennis Russell, Longwood HS, NY, 2014
5th NBNO 181-11
2014 PR: 185-5 DT (also 61-4.75 SP)
Comment:  New York state champ competed very well at NBNO, beating some 190-footers in taking 5th.  Also 5th at NBNI shot put and had season’s best of 62-1.

Jack Lembke, Sioux Falls Roosevelt HS, SD, 2014
No NBNO
2014 PR: US#6 198-3 (also 65-1 SP)
Comment:  Swept Class AA state meet throws this spring for 2nd straight year.  Also doubled the prestigious Howard Wood Invite.

Carlos Davis, Blue Springs HS, MO, 2015
No NBNO
2014 PR: US#1 212-5
Comment:  Stunned the track world with his massive, winning 212-5 PR at his 4A state meet.  Injury issues have hampered efforts since in Great Southwest (5th) and US Juniors, so hopes to get back on track this weekend.

Khalil Davis, Blue Springs HS, MO, 2015
No NBNO
2014 PR: 198-5
Comment:  Had generally been the more consistent and winning Davis brother until Carlos’ breakthrough at state.  Showed competitive fire, however, by coming back for runnerup finish at Great Southwest.  Has been over 190 in four meets.

DISCUS and HAMMER

Daniel Haugh, St. Pius X, GA, Throw 1 Deep, 2014
1st NBNO 197-2 DT, 1st NBNO HT 224-1
2014 PRs: US#1 235-4 HT, US#3 204-1 DT
Comment: Haugh’s HT/DT double at NBNO was one of the meet’s great unheralded achievements.  Few throwers in prep history have been as proficient at both of these throws as this Throw 1 Deep leader.  Also 2nd at NBNI weight throw.  Other major wins include Arcadia discus.

JAVELIN

Curtis Thompson, Florence Memorial HS, NJ, 2014
3rd NBNO, 206
2014 PRs: US#1 224-10
Comments: Set New Jersey state record with his 224-10 PR.  Had a bit of a letdown at NBNO, but came back to win USATF Juniors last weekend and earn Team USA spot.

John Nizich, Catholic Central HS, OR, 2014
1st NBNO, 222-2
2014 PRs: US#2 222-9
Comments:  Led nation much of year before Thompson overtook him.  Big late throw earned him the New Balance title, then finished runner-up to Thompson at Juniors.

Todd Ogden, Glacier HS, MT, 2014
6th NBNO, 199-8
2014 PRs: US#5 215-0
Comments:  NSAF Project Javelin athlete hit pre-2014 PR with 211-11 US#4 throw at Pihtipudas Javelin Carnival last summer.

Trevor Danielson, Newberg HS, OR, 2014
9th NBNO, 192-1
2014 PR: 196-0 (206-0 in 2013)
Comments:  Back problems have hampered the NSAF Project Jav veteran’s senior year after more than a half-dozen 190-plus meets, plus 206-0 PR, in 2013.  Getting healthier this summer, though.

John Putnam, Massapequa HS, NY, 2015
4th NBNO, 206-0
2014 PR: 206-0
Comments:  Big 20-foot PR nailed him a podium finish at NBNO.   Looking now for consistency in 190s-200s.  Participated in NSAF Project Jav clinics in 2013.

Nick Sofanelli, Scranton Prep HS, PA, 2015
2nd NBNO 214-5
2014 PR: US#6 214-5
Comments:  His breakthrough was one of the best throws stories at 2014 NBNO.  Hadn’t been beyond 200 feet before.  Followed up with solid 8th at US Junior jav.

HAMMER

Colin Minor, South Brunswick HS, NC, 2014
2nd NBNO 222-0
2014 PR: US#3 229-6
Comments:  Took a big step by making World Youth team in 2013, then has followed as a senior by steadily moving up in the 220s and becoming the #3 prep nationally.  Only Haugh could beat him at NBNO. 

Robert Colantonio, Barrington HS, RI, 2016
4th NBNO, 214-6
2014 PR: US#4 228-0
Comments:  One of the best sophs in prep history, part of Barrington’s powerful 1-2 punch.  Has also won Rhode Island and USATF Youth titles this spring.

Adam Kelly, Barrington HS, RI, 2015
3rd NBNO, 219-6
2014 PR: US#5 223-5
Comments:  The older member of Barrington’s 1-2 punch, he made his biggest mark this year with an unbeaten campaign indoors in the weight, capped off by NBNI title.  Has also been very good this spring as he and his teammate take turns beating each other.