Posted: June 28, 2004

Athletics: Daniels sets new American Junior mark, Merritt doubles in final day at USA Junior Champs

COLLEGE STATION – Brittany Daniels set a new American junior mark in the women’s triple jump while LaShawn Merritt completes a double in the 200m and 400m to conclude the final day of competition at the 2004 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Anderson track and field on the campus of Texas A&M University. For their achievements, Daniels and Merritt were named the Verizon Women’s and Men’s Outstanding Athletes of the Meet.

The top two finishers with the World Juniors qualifying time or mark in each event will represent Team USA at the IAAF World Junior Championships, July 13-18, in Grosseto, Italy.

Daniels, a native of Tracy, Calif., leaped 13.71 meters/44 feet, 11.75 inches in winning the women’s triple jump bettering the American junior record of 13.58m/44-6.75 set in 1985 by Wendy Brown of Southern California. Erica McLain of Texas was the runner-up with a leap of 13.30m/43-7.75.

East Carolina-bound LaShawn Merritt celebrated his 17th birthday by winning the 200m in 20.72 seconds to become the only double-champion of the competition after he won the 400m (46.80) yesterday. “It was big winning the 200 and the 400. Today is my birthday and I wanted to do something for myself for my birthday,” said Merritt who edged University of Houston’s Carey LaCour, who finished second in the 200m (20.99).

Nebraska sophomore, Jenny Green who celebrated her 19th birthday yesterday, cleared 4.00m/13-1.50 in winning the women’s pole vault edging out Washington’s Stevie Marshalek (3.80m12-5.50). “It means a lot to win,” said Green. “This is a great birthday present to get to go overseas.”

Alyson Felix ran 22.73 to win the women’s 200m dash edging defending 200m champion Shalonda Solomon (23.03) runner-up and Shana Cox (23.31) finishing third. “I’m just trying to tune-up for the Olympic Trials,” said Felix. “I’ve been working on the first part of my race and we were able work on that today. It’s great to get in a race so close to the Trials.”

The men’s 110m hurdles provided an exciting finish as 17-year-old Kevin Craddock ran 13.83 seconds just edging the University of Tennessee’s Aries Merritt (13.84).

Michelle Carter of University of Texas threw 16.33m/53-7.00 to win the women’s shot put by over three feet over runner-up finisher Michaela Wallerstedt (15.33m/50-3.50) “It was a pretty good day today. I’m excited about making the world team,” said Carter.

In the women’s heptathlon, Penn State University-bound Gayle Hunter won with 5,328 points followed by 17-year-old Hillary Werth of Sprinfield, Ill., with 5127. “I could have jumped longer, but knew that I kind of secured the lead. My time in the 200m was a PR,” said Hunter.

The top eight-finishers in each event at the 2004 USA Junior Outdoor Championships will be named Verizon All-Americans. For more information on USA Juniors and the Verizon Youth Series, including results and a complete list of the athletes entered in the event, visit the redesigned USATF website at www.usatf.org.

2004 USA JUnior Championships Athlete Quotes - June 27, 2004 Day Three

Gayle Hunter (18, Riverside, Calif., Penn State University Signee) Women’s Heptathlon winner: “It means a lot to win the Junior’s since I wasn’t able to compete last year. It feels good to make my name known. I really wanted to make the National team, so accomplishing that is great.”
“I could have jumped longer, but knew that I kind of secured it the lead. My time in the 200m was a PR.”

Hillary Werth (17, Springfield, Illinois, Glenwood High School) Women’s Heptathlon Second Place: “This is my first time to compete at the Junior Nationals, so I am just taking everything in right now. This is awesome. I am excited about my performance. I didn’t have a very good long jump; I was pretty concerned after that. I came through in the javelin and in the 800. I am happy.”

Jenny Green (19, Grand Island, Nebraska, Univ. of Nebraska sophomore, GI Central Catholic H.S.) Women’s Pole Vault winner: “It means a lot to win. My birthday was yesterday so this is a great birthday present to get to go overseas. It will be my first time out of the country. It has been a long season, but it is definitely worth it. I have been dreaming about making a world team and getting to go over the sea and compete so it is a dream come true.”

Stevie Marshalek (19, Seattle, Washington, Univ. of Washington sophomore, Kent Lake High School) Women’s Pole Vault Second Place: “My performance today was pretty good but not my best. I am excited about making the team. It is something that I have always wanted to do. I am especially excited to go somewhere I have always wanted to go.”

Matt Carter (18, Santa Ana, Calif., Santa Ana College sophomore, El Modena High School) Men’s High Jump winner: “It is just a gift. I am so happy to be here. It shows that it pays off to be overrated. I am excited. This is just a blessing to make the National Team. I am glad to uphold the promise I gave my grandfather on his deathbed that I would not be a wasted talent.”

David Torrence (19, Tarzana, Calif., Cal-Berkeley sophomore, Loyola High School) Men’s 1500m winner: I was pretty nervous going into today’s race. My last two races weren’t too good. Today, I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
I’m really excited about going to Italy. It seems like it’ll be a lot of fun. It will be a great experience.”

Allyson Felix (18, Los Angeles, Calif., L.A. Baptist H.S., Team adidas) Women’s 200m winner: “I’m just trying to tune up for the Olympic Trials. I’ve been working on the first part of my race and we were able work on that today. It’s great to get in a race so close to the Trials.”

LaShawn Merritt, (17, Norfolk, Virginia, Woodrow Wilson H.S., East Carolina Signee) Men’s 200m Dash Winner: “It was big winning the 200 and the 400.Today is my birthday, and I wanted to do something for myself for my birthday. Yesterday I won the 400 and today I wanted to win the 200. I went out and did what I had to do and won.”

Michelle Carter (18, Ovilla, Texas, Red Oak HS, University of Texas, sophomore) Women’s shot put winner: “It was a pretty good day today. I’m excited about making the world team.”

Kyle Alcorn (Fresno, Calif, University of Oregon sophomore, Men’s 3000m Steeplechase winner): “Winning means a lot to me. I was here last year in the steeple and placed 10th. It was my first time ever doing it; I was experimenting with it. I didn’t actually train for it. I came back this year and just so happened to win.”
“It’s an amazing opportunity to go across the world and compete against the best in the world.”

Ronneta Alexander (19, Buffalo, New York, University of South Carolina sophomore) Women’s 100m Hurdles Winner: “It means a lot to win today. It really meant a lot to me to go out there in college and in all the competitions; I wanted to show my school that I am capable of representing them very well. It’s amazing to qualify for the World Games. I never would have seen myself from here going to the Games. It means a lot to me actually.”

Kevin Craddock (17, Oakland, Calif., James Logan HS Senior), Men’s 110m Hurdles Winner: “My start was wonderful. Once I got out, it carried me the rest of the way.”
“I made the Youth team last year and I just wanted to make this team this year. I’m just really excited.”