Junior Pan-Am T&F Games

The Junior Pan-American games are also being contested this week. The 110 hurdle race will be the highlight of the meet of course. I know my brother will pull it out. There is only one way to close out a season like he had, and that is on top! Good Luck Booker...we all are pulling for you!!

7-37-09 Update

Congratulations to Booker, he had an awesome 1st year of college and he closed out his 39" hurdle height career with a PR of 13.32 in the 110h and won the silver medal today. Once again Congratulations!

Junior Olympics

This weekend in Greensboro I will be closing out my junior year at Junior Olympics. I'm competing in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles. I got some goals for my last track meet. I really want to break 54 in the 400 hurdles, actually I don't want to, I need to! My biggest goal is to break 14 in the 110 hurdles. My times have been on a steady decline in the 110 hurdles from a 15.1 my first meet, to a 14.26 now. I need to close out this season strong, when this meet is over I do not want any regrets!

Meet Results

One of the most frustrating things at youth and high school track meets is when your child does not know how they performed during or at the end of the meet. What I mean is that meets are being hosted and times and the results are not immediately available. To make matters worst it is taken some meet host days before they post the results. This is unacceptable. We would not leave a football, basketball, baseball or any other sport for that matter without knowing the outcome. Why then do we as parents and coaches allow our athletes to walk away from a meet not knowing how they did? In track and field your success is not only measured by whether or not you cross the finish line first but it is mainly measured by how fast you ran, how long or high you jumped and how far you threw etc...

Most meets are run professionally and as soon as your event is done you immediately know how you performed which is how it is suppose to be. I understand some delay in time posting when it is hand timed, however, when you post that your meet is going to be F.A.T. then there is no excuse for the ridiculous delays that are taking place at some meets. Times being posted almost a week after the meet is over sometimes later. Our youth and high school track athletes deserve better than this and we the advocates for the athletes need to demand better. If the meet you are hosting is suppose to be an official meet and you’re not experienced with timing then hire professional timers or experienced timers to run the meet.

Written by JNunley

My Goals!

I started of this track season hoping that I would be running at least a 52 in the 400 hurdles by now, but that has not happened, I still got time. On the other hand, I put the 110 hurdles off to the side for while and whatever happened in that race happened, and now I am sitting at a 14.26(F.A.T) and only getting faster. I have switched my focus for the rest of the season. I am aiming to run under a 14 in the 110 hurdles, and whatever happens in the 400 hurdles, happens. Although, I am still shooting for a 52, I am just not focusing on it as much.

Update

I have been on the move lately, and truly have not had a moment to update my blog. So much has been going on lately. I finally got some down time! I would like to congratulate Johnny Dutch for making the World Team going to Berlin, I would also like to say congrats to Booker Nunley and Wayne Davis for making the Junior Pan Am team going to Trinidad and Tobago. Lastly, big ups to Jarrett Samuels for making the World Youth Team, he will be doing his thing in Italy!

USATF & Flotrack To Provide Live Webcasts From Eugene

USATF and Flotrack partner to provide livewebcasts of 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships INDIANAPOLIS -USA Track & Field announced Tuesday that it will partner with Flotrack.org to provide live webcasts of both open and junior events at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. The Championships will be held Thursday through Sunday at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. This event is the selection event for the 2009 IAAF World Championships which will be contested in August in Berlin, Germany.Flotrack will supplement USATF's official television coverage with live, real-time coverage with race calls of every event at the USA Junior Outdoor Championships while also providing bonus, live, real-time coverage and race calls of select open events during the USA Outdoor Championships. In addition to race coverage, Flotrack will provide fans with exclusive interviews with track & field superstars, as well as behind the scenes access to select areas such as at the practice track and trackside press conferences.Coverage begins Thursday with full-day webcasts of all events with a focus on the early rounds of the 400m, 800m, 1,500m and open men's and women's 10,000m finals. About Flotrack.orgFlotrack.org has been a leader in web video coverage for the sport of track & field and long distance running for the last three years. Every year, Flotrack travels to hundreds of events in the U.S. and around the world to showcase some of the biggest and most prestigious events in the sport, with unique event coverage and behind the scenes interviews with athletes, coaches, event directors and legends of the sport, giving track fans the coverage our sport deserves. Track is back. www.Flotrack.org.

Pam Am Junior Champs doubtful

By Michael Mendis, TrackAlerts.com

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago - The 2009 staging of the Pan Am Junior Championships, like the Caribbean Games, could be cancelled in the twin-island republic.
Gary Hunte, Trinidad & Tobago’s Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, hinted the Pan Am Junior Championships is in danger of being called off because of the Influenza A H1N1 virus.
"We are looking at the situation," said Hunte when asked about the possible cancellation at a press conference recently. "We have been in contact with the ministry of health on the matter," he added while saying the Ministry of Health would be the department to decide on the Championships’ fate.

Over 45 countries, led by the United States and Jamaica, are down to attend the Championships, July 2 to August 2. This would be more athletes than expected for the Caribbean Games, which even dented the hopes more.
However, Hunte maintained, "no decision is yet to be made".
Last Friday, Hunte announced that because of the concerns over increase in the swine flu infections in the country the organisers cancelled the inaugural Caribbean Games.
Hunte said: “the participants, officials and guests of other countries could be a source additional infection to the population of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, the housing of athletes and officials could create an ideal environment for the transmission of the H1N1 virus”.

One last run for New Bern

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Andrew Hendrix grabbed the North Carolina flag from one side of the medal podium. His twin brother Anthony snatched the American flag from the other end. They both took off, along with Fuqauwn Greene and Miles Sparks for the only victory lap of the entire meet.

Continue reading: http://usa.milesplit.us/articles/24115

Puerto Rico!!!!!

This past weekend I was given a specialty opportunity to represent the USA in the 4Th Caribbean Scholastic Invitational in Carolina, Puerto Rico. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. I met new people, experienced a new culture and created memories that will last a life time. I would like to thank Nike and the NSSF staff; Jim Spier, Joy Kamani, Jacqué Kendall, Paul Limmer, Cedric Walker, Kristi Reiger, Dr. Jeffrey Webb, Dr. Margaret Ottley and Claudia "Sparky" Chapel. Without them, this trip would not have been possible, and I know every athlete is truly thankful especially I, for giving us the opportunity to take part in this experience.

The meet went well, Team NSSF went out there Saturday and we did what we do best. I went out there and did what I had to do. I ran a 14.54 in the 110 hurdles and got fifth. I did not understand this part, how can two athletes compete for the same medal when running over different hurdle heights? Tyler Stephenson and Jeff Lewis from team NSSF got first and third. the two athletes from Puerto Rico placed second and fourth, and they ran over 36 inch hurdles while Tyler, Jeff and I ran over 39 inch hurdles. Oh well can't do anything now. I competed in the 400 hurdles too, I ran a new pr 54.27 and placed third. It was not a great race, but I got to learn from it to get better.

2009 SEC 110H Finals

Track Moms Talk on Dyestat

Dyestat has a very interesting feature this week; it is a discussion between track moms and Donna Dye. The article is informative and very interesting. I have picked a few discussions that the moms had while in New York at the National Scholastics Indoor Championship.

Donna: What is a track mom?
Jeana:A track mom is someone who supports her kids by helping them to participate. She helps her children to develop into responsible, kind, caring people by teaching them to win and lose with integrity and to respect and mentor other competitors. She encourages her kids to enjoy all the moments; be happy when you win or improve and learn from your mistakes. Don't dwell on the negative aspects, make a plan for how you can fix it and follow through with your plan. She is also the chauffeur, equipment manager, "water girl", first aid provider and concession queen.

Donna: What should be the role of a track mom? Is there one way, your way, the athlete’s way? Is it bringing the hugs, kisses, tissues, food, cheering on the side or…all/none? How do you decide?
Jeana: My role is to support my child's' passion by getting him to practice, finding the right coaches, keeping him well nourished and hydrated, getting excellent medical care, making sure he his doing his school work , community service and helping him with time management so that he is not overwhelmed. My role is to be his biggest fan and to love him unconditionally regardless of his track performances and school performances. There are times that performances suffer for one reason or another and my job is to help sort out what's going well and what's not going so well and provide support and offer solutions. I need to help him make good choices. I am fortunate that Curtis is very motivated and I don't have to push him at all. I do have to help him manage his time as he would forget to do anything but track. My husband or I attend every meet that we can. I try to fit my "work schedule" around track and my kids' other activities. It's important to be there for them, even if they don't want you. Just being there shows them you care and that you are invested in their interests.

Donna: Is there fun to being a track mom?
Andrea:It is fun but sometimes stressful. I am usually very nervous before a hurdle race. It is so technical that a simple misstep could be horrific. That is what I fear about hurdles. The fun is in seeing my child and others happy and excited about what they accomplished.

Donna: Depending on the event, many meets can be long for track moms. What do yo do when your athlete isn't competing? When he is not around?
Suzanne:Always bring a book or newspaper

For the article in it's entirety please visit http://www.dyestat.com//?pg=home-Donna-Track-Moms&PHPSESSID=8b8831a03175c03088ca9c2d6a086c8b

YOG on track

By Terence Voon

WITH just 15 months to go before the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore, preparations for the inaugural sports extravaganza are on track.
This was the assessment given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s coordination commission for the YOG after it concluded a two-day meeting in Singapore on Wednesday.
Said Sergey Bubka, chairmain of the commission: 'In the last six months, the organising committee has worked hard towards the finalisation of its venue master plan and YOG event schedule by day.
'Much effort has also gone into detailed operational and venue planning which will remain the organising committee's focus for the coming months.'
He added: 'It is clear that the organising committee is on the right track to deliver the First Summer Youth Olympic Games and is committed to the co-construction of these inaugural Games with the IOC.'
Organisers also launched the stylised pictograms for all 26 sports on Wednesday. The pictograms were inspired by the official YOG emblem, which features a distinctive flaming head and star-shaped body.
The YOG will be held here in August next year, and will bring together 3,600 athletes aged between 14 and 18.

The 2009 CSI Team

The 2009 CSI Team
The National Scholastic Sports Foundation has announced the team members for the Fourth Caribbean Scholastic Invitational. Twenty-eight male and female student-athletes have been selected, all of whom have recently completed the freshman, sophomore or junior years in high school.
This is the fourth year that the NSSF will sponsor a team to the meet, held in Carolina, Puerto Rico (a suburb of San Juan) and partially sponsored by that city. Teams from Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Guadalupe, and others are expected to be in attendance.

TEAM ROSTER
Women
Shanae Bailey, Swenson, Philadelphia, PA, jr
Dominique Booker, Immaculate Conception, Montclair, NJ, jr
Kristin Brown, McDonogh, Owens Mill, MD, soph
Michelle Brown, Seneca, Tabernacle, NJ, jr
Erin Busbee, Collinwood, Cleveland, OH, jr
Ashley Collier, Dunbar, Fort Worth,TX, jr
Emmy Fraenk, Bethel, Hampton, VA, jr
Patrice Gates, Villa Rica, GA, jr
Bridgette Owens-Mitchell, Oak Park, MI, jr
Jill Rushin, Jackson, MO, jr
Sha'Keela Saunders,Great Bridge, Chesapeake, VA, frosh
Aurieyall Scott, Eleanor Roosevelt, MD, jr
McKinzie Schulz, Benet Academy, Lisle, IL, jr
Olicia Williams, St. Anthony's, South Huntington, NY, frosh

Men
DeVaughn Benion, George Washington, Danville, VA soph
George Chambers, Archbishop Curley, MD, jr
Marquise Dendy, Middletown, DE, soph
Alec Faldermeyer, Minisink Valley, Slate Hill, NY, jr
Dominic Filiano, Lebanon, NH, jr
Jordan Hill, Albemarle, Charlottesville, VA, jr
Anthony Kostelac,Albemarle, Charlottesville, VA, jr
Bill Ledder, Gonzaga Prep, Washington, DC jr
Carlton Lavong, Methacton, Fairview Village, PA, jr
Jeff Lewis, Western Branch, Chesapeake, VA, jr
Justin Lord, Glen Hills, Augusta, GA, jr
Malcolm Nunley, Southeast Raleigh, NC, jr
Bradley Sylve, South Plaquemines, Port Sulphur, LA, soph
Tyler Stephenson, Lancaster, TX, jr

For more information on this event visit http://www.nationalscholastic.org/caribbean.
Congratulations to all of those selected, what a great honor and opportunity!

Breaking News!

Gamecock Freshman Booker Nunley runs a collegiate best of 13.49 and takes 2nd behind his teammate fellow Gamecock Senior Jason Richardson who ran a 13.29 at the SEC Track & Field Championship in Gainsville, Florida. Their other teammate Johnny Dutch placed 4th with a Season best time of 13.68. Congratulations to all of the Gamecocks!

Update: Johnny Dutch also went on to place 1st in the 400h with a season best time of 48.58! The Gamecock Men went on to place 4th overall in the SEC conference.

Written by Jacqueline Nunley

RACES FROM LAST WEEK

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

From Booker, Malcolm, Justine and Alex, we would like to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to our mom. We love you, more than you know!!!!

I see you working hard for me
And wonder what it means:
Whether I will do the same
And give up my own dreams
To offer someone else my world,
A stranger from my womb,
And say: Here, take my life,
So you, not I, can bloom.

I often wonder at the depth
Of that cool sacrifice;
I know it can't be "just because,"
Or simply to be nice.

It is so awesome, I can't think
How I could make that choice,
Except I see something in you
That gives my own heart voice.

I see sometimes a happiness
Amid the stressed-out day
That no one else can hope to know
In any other way.

I feel it when you look at me
And understand sometimes
That things I do, I do for two,
And then your hard life shines.

And when I give you grief, I know
That all the bitter pain
Between a mom and growing child
Is simply like the rain

That alternates with sunny days,
Passion without end,
While underneath is more of life
Than we can comprehend.

And then I know, perhaps, why I
Like you might be so moved
To give my life to someone else,
And know that I have loved.

Outdoor Season Update - Malcolm

This trackstar has had a busy week. Starting on Sunday evening he ran at the Duke Twighlight meet in Durham, NC. Where he ran his personal best of 22.46 in the 200 meters right after stepping off the track from competing in the 400 hurdles. As his older brother states he is strong. On Thursday he ran at the Greater Neuse highschool conference meet where he took second in the 110 hurdles and 1st in the 300 hurdles where he ran a personal best of 38.05. He also anchored the 4x200 team to a third place finish and the 4x400 team to a 2nd place finish. No time for rest he ran yesterday at the Chick-Fil-A UNC Elite meet in Chapel Hill, NC where he ran another personal best of 54.34 in the 400 hurdles. Malcolm will take some much needed rest for the next couple of days and then he will pick it up with his hurdles coach and a few days of sprint and endurance training with his school team early in the week. No meets until next weekend where he will compete in his regional meet for a spot at the NC 4A state meet. Malcolm currently has the #1 State times in the 300 and 400 hurdles!

Written by: Jacqueline Nunley

Outdoor Season Update - Booker

I can't believe it Booker has completed his freshman year of college, well that is academically speaking. As for Track we are just getting to the good stuff! After a much needed rest and break so that he could finish up his finals. He hit the track yesterday at the Chick-Fil-A UNC Elite meet in Chapel Hill, NC. Back at home where he is in his element. He ran his collegiate best so far this year in the 110 hurdles with a 13.82 to take second in the event. Booker will be running next week at the SEC Conference in Gainsville, Florida and the following weekend he will be back in NC at Regionals being held at A&T in Greensboro, NC.

Written by: Jacqueline Nunley

Duke Twilight

Tomorrow I will have another chance to improve my 400 hurdle time. I will be running at the 2009 Duke Twilight Meet, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. My last 400 hurdle race was a PR, and I plan to get another one tomorrow. I'm shooting for a 52, so if I fall short I can still try to run a 53. The trials for the youth team going to Italy is approaching fast, and I need to be at least at a 53 going in. I'm feeling good about tomorrow, now I have to perform.

Wake County Champion!!!!!

Yesterday I ran at the 2009 Wake County Championships in Cary, North Carolina. This year the meet was held at Panther Creek High School. I set out to bring home some gold and that is exactly what I did. I had a full load to run out there; 110 and 300 hurdles, 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Their weather was great too, except for the 90 degree heat!!!!


In the prelims of the 110 hurdles I ran a 15.28. I was not focused and it showed. The race was terrible! I came back in the finals to run a 14.70. I have a lot to work on. I was real sloppy toward the end of the race. It was straight, but it is not where I need to be, at least I am running in the 14's more consistently.

After, taking the gold in the 110 hurdles. I told myself to win the 300 hurdles also. By the time we got to 300 hurdles, I did not know how I would run this race. I had already run two rounds of the 110 hurdles and the 4x200 meter relay. I was so tired I didn't feel like getting into the blocks. While I was warming up I felt terrible, my legs were sore and I was starting to get a headache, but I decided to run anyway.

My goal was to run 37 seconds, but the way I was feeling, I was just hoping to run a 40. I got set in the blocks and began asking myself what am I doing?? When the gun went off it was another story. I got to the first hurdle, hit in stride and then I thought to myself, I'm going 37. My steps were on point! I got to the last hurdle and just lost my mind. I was tired, thought about alternating, I started shuffling and forgot all about the hurdle and I hit it. I fell on the last hurdle and still ran a 39.31, that should have been a 37!!!