Posted: June 30, 2005

Athletics: Multi Events highlight day 2 at Youth Outdoors

Knoxville, Tenn., - Multi-events highlighted the second day of competition at the 2005 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Tom Black Track at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

The first time was a charm for David Wellington competing in his first ever decathlon. The 18-year-old Wellington scored 5,618 points barely edging runner-up finisher Jeff Decator (5,566) to win the young mens division. "Today was my first time competing in the 1,500m. I picked up a javelin and shot put for the first time a few weeks ago," said Wellington. Tiffany Chavis of Atlanta, Ga., won all but two events as she scored 4,298 points to win the heptathlon young women's division. "I was just trying to finish first in every event. The 800m and javelin is always one of my weakest events. I just try to do what I can to finish," said Chavis. The 17-year-old Chavis went undefeated through the first five events.

Curtis Beach of Albuquerque, N.M., scored 4,996 points to win by 80 points in a very close decathlon in the intermediate boys division. "I had a rough start and did really bad in the long jump, which motivated me the rest of the event," said Beach. The 14-year-old Beach edged runner-up finisher Nick Debeaubien (4,916) of the South Orange County Wildcats. "I had a PR in the 1,500m, 400m and tied my PR in the pole vault," Beach added.

Hannah Carson of Mesa/Chandler, Ariz., continued her winning ways by adding the midget girls pentathlon crown to her medal collection after scoring 2,736 points. "I'm happy because the events I am not so good in, I did great in today. Lately, I've been running well in the hurdles." said Carson. The 12-year-old Carson will attempt to break the midget girls javelin throw record on Thursday morning.

Nicole Jones helped lead Track Houston's 4x800m relay team (9:24.21) to a first-place finish in the intermediate girls division. "This (youth championship) has been a little bit more exciting compared to the season," said Jones.

The 16-year-old Jones will compete for Team USA at the 2005 IAAF World Youth Championships July 13-17 in Marrakech, Morocco. The world youth team will feature some of the top female and male youth athletes in the country.

For more information on the 2005 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including results and complete coverage of this year's event, visit the USATF website at USATF.org.