CHARLOTTE - The 2008 USA Youth Track & Field Championships wrapped up the opening day of competition at the Irwin Belk Track and Field Center on the campus of University of North Carolina - Charlotte, events highlighting the day included the steeplechase, race walk and multi-events.
Jamaal Jones (Phoenix Bobcats) won the youth boys' pentathlon with 2,763 points, improving upon his 7th place finish in 2007. Nasjua Palmer (CA Rising Stars TC) captured the youth girls' pentathlon title with 2,742 points.
Newcomer to the 2000 meter steeplechase, Kelli Budd (Cornhusker Flyers), seized the young women's division title, crossing the line in 7 minutes 12.95 seconds. Parker Bowles (Jenks America TC) led the pack from the beginning in the 2000mSC, winning the event in the intermediate boys' division in 6:23.64.
Katie Michta (Walk USA) captured the title in the midget girls' 1500m race walk, finishing in 8:24.62, bettering her 4th place finish in 2007. In the bantam boys' 1500m race walk, Justin Liedke (Cornhusker Flyers) captured the individual title, gliding to the finish in 8:24.85.
For more information from the 2008 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including complete results, visit www.usatf.org/events/2008/USAYouthOutdoorTFChampionships.
Athlete Quotes:
Parker Bowles, intermediate boys' 2000m steeplechase winner
I started hurdling over the steeple barriers, which I haven't done before. I learned how to do it earlier this week. We had good competitors in the race; the other guys really pushed it.
Kelli Budd, young women's 2000m steeplechase winner
I have only done the steeplechase one time before today. I like this race, it is fun and relaxed. It was nice to run with my teammate Jordan Williams; we were trying to do our best.
Jamaal Jones, youth boys' pentathlon winner
It was an okay performance, I did PR in the shot put and the 1500m, and it feels good to be a national champion.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
