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2001 USATF JUNIOR OLYMPICS COULD OFFER
A PREVIEW OF THINGS TO COME
JO Championship Meet Draws Crowds of Spectators
In addition to being the culmination of a summer of youth track and field programming, the 2001 Junior Olympics Track & Field Championships could also prove to be an important preview of things to come for the world's #1 track and field team.The 35th edition of USA Track & Field's Junior Olympics National Championships is scheduled for July 24-29 at California State University in Sacramento. Hornet Stadium played host to the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials and will also be the site for the 2004 Trials. Many of the athletes competing this summer in Sacramento could also be part of the contingent vying for spots for the 2004 Olympic Games. Angelo Taylor and Monique Henderson are two of our sport's rising stars who have made the transition from Junior Olympics to Summer Games participation. In fact, Monique's summer of 2000 included stops at the Olympic Trials in Sacramento and the JO Championships in Buffalo a week later; all prior to her selection as a relay alternate for Sydney. Angelo's storied summer included two gold medals in Sydney and recognition as the 2000 Jesse Owens Award winner for athletic excellence. Both Angelo and Monique hold national youth records set at JO competitions. Angelo has the Young Men's (17-18) record for the 400m Hurdles (50.27), set four years ago in Baton Rouge. Over the years, Monique's 200 and 400m records have been sprinkled throughout the five age divisions: two remain in the Bantam (10-and-under) division and two, set just last year, still stand in the Young Women's 200 and 400m.  For the uninitiated, USATF's Junior Olympics program consists of preliminary meets, Association Championships, Regional Championships and a National Championship (see the USATF Web site for the complete calendar of Association and Regional Championships). Athletes advance on the basis of performance. The JO National Championships attract more than 9,000 entries and 6,500 competitors. It is the largest -- and most visible -- developmental program in the world. Every two years, it is also one of the selection competitions for the World Youth Athletics Track & Field Championships. This year's World Championships will take place July 12-15 in Debrecen, Hungary.  Here are the age breakdowns for 2001 Junior Olympics competition:Bantam (born 1991 and above) Midget (1989-1990) Youth (1987-1988) Intermediate (1985-1986) Young Men/Women (1983-1984) Complete information on this year's JO National Championships (including meet schedule, housing and airline) can be found on our Web site www.usatf.org -- and will also be available in the Passport booklet that will be distributed at Association and Regional Championships. America's next generation of track and field stars will be competing this summer in Sacramento. The future is now! Join USATF to be a part of it. |
Email mark.springer@usatf.org for more information on USATF's youth programs. Email rwedit@rodale.com. We would love to hear from you!
