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Steeplechase and combined events highlight first day of Junior Olympics
7-29-2003

MIAMI – Steeplechase and combined events highlighted the first day at the 2003 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships at Tropical Park in Miami, Florida.

Fresh off his ninth place finish at the IAAF World Youth Athletics Championships in Canada, Ben DeLay continued his winning streak on American soil after running 5 minutes, 59.67 seconds --just missing his personal record by two seconds in the young men’s 2000m steeplechase. The 2003 Youth Athletics 2000m steeplechase champion said, “I stayed back at the beginning since the pace was slow. David (Ryan-2nd) and I pressed on to move out front after the 4th lap.” The Cornhusker (Nebraska) Flyer’s stated goal was winning rather than setting records. “I took negative splits from the first lap throughout the race. I did not plan on running a fast time because I was trying to save my energy for the 4x800m relay tomorrow,” DeLay continued.

Chris Cebula of the Huskie Track Club ran 6:07.40 to win the intermediate boys 2000m steeplechase. Meagan Hudson of DeSoto, Missouri ran 7:39.45 to win the intermediate girls 2000m steeplechase. Suezette Luevano of the El Paso Wings won the young women’s 2000m steeplechase in a time of 7:34.02.

Brittany Borman of the Jefferson County (Missouri) Jets won the youth girls pentathlon 3,169 points. The 14-year-old won the high jump (1.60m/5-03) and the shot put (12.30m/40-4.25). “I am satisfied with my overall performance, but would like to have done better in the hurdles,” said Borman.

Nimrod Piggee of Stockton, Calif., won the youth boys pentathlon with 3,131 total points. “I am happy because I got a PR in the long jump,” said Piggee. The 14-year-old won the long jump (6.33m/20-9.25) and tied for first in the shot put (11.23m/36-10.25). “I had my lowest jump of the year in the high jump at least five inches below my average. At first (during the high jump) I was scared because my shin was hurting.”

Gayle Hunter of the West Valley Eagles leads with 3,066 points in the young women’s heptathlon. Hunter was a member of Team USA and placed sixth at the World Youth Championships. In the intermediate girls heptathlon, Alexandra Coppadge of the Delaware Diamond leads after four events with 2,951 points. She won the high jump with a leap of 1.65m/5-05.

This year’s event has already set an all-time high of 7,306 top athletes from around the country, surpassing last year’s competition of 6,854 participants in Omaha, Neb.

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