SAVANNAH, Georgia – Field event finals and prelims on the oval highlighted Thursday’s events at the USATF Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships at Ted Wright Stadium.
Alyx Robinson (Sapphire-Ruff Riders TC) smashed the girls' 11-12 javelin meet record with a 41.81/137-2 in round five to win by more than 24 feet and add more than four feet to the previous record. Melanie Doggett (Major Impact TC) came close to breaking the meet record in the girls' 13-14 200 prelims, flying to a 23.49 to miss Kayla Davis' (Run U Express) 23.34 from 2017.
In late Wednesday track events, Jonathan Simms (AP Ranch) ran a sizzling 45.75 in the boys' 17-18 400 prelims, just missing the meet record of 45.56 that was set by Obea Moore (LA Jets) in 1996.
Picking up his second gold of the meet, Michael Savariau, a senior from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga. competing unattached, won the boys' 17-18 discus with a toss of 56.65/185-10, more than eight feet better than the runner-up. Kane Poje (Neversink TC) also completed a throws double with his victory in the boy's 15-16 shot, where he had a best of 17.15/56-3.25 to go with the discus gold he took earlier in the meet.
Long jump victories went to Valynsia Calhoun (Lane 4 TC) with a best of 5.83/19-1.5 in the girls' 15-16; Kya Crooke (Soca Speed TC), 6.10/20-0.25 in the girls' 17-18; Elijah Hudson (Win Sportswear), 7.07/23-2.5 in the boys' 15-16; and Yevhen Zhmailo (GLS Speed TC), 7.27/23-10.25 in the boys' 17-18.
Colsen Colbert took the boys' 11-12 shot put crown by more than a foot with a toss of 14.43/47-4.25, while Aceston Walker (Red Earth Athletics) mounted the victory stand in the boys' 8 & under shot with a best of 6.89/22-7.25.
Other field event wins were recorded by Yo'el Thomas in the girls' 9-10 javelin (29.14/95-7); Kaleb Allen (Texas Storm TC) in the boys' 13-14 high jump (1.86/6-1.25); Olivia Woods (New Heights Gym) in the girls' 15-16 pole vault (3.71/12-2); Cruz Gonzales (Major Impact TX) in the boys' 9-10 high jump (1.33/4-4.25); Kane Poje (Neversink TC) in the boys 15-16 shot (17.15/56-3.25). Samiya Bellfield (Eagles Wings) won the girls' 13-14 triple jump at 11.03/36-2.25.
Competition continues through Sunday at Savannah State. Be sure to check on the event page for updates to the schedule of events.
Live results may be found here.
Watch live on usatf.tv.