Kendall Baisden and Daesha Rogers break National records at USA Youth Championships

For Immediate Release
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Contact:
Sarah Price
USA Track & Field
Communications Intern
317-261-0500; Sarah.Price@usatf.org


Kendall Baisden and Daesha Rogers break National records at USA Youth Championships



YPSILANTI, Mich.- The final day of the USA Youth Championships brought the best weather of the week; sunshine, a light breeze, and warm temps, as youth athletes continued to shatter national and personal records at the at Rynearson Stadium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.

Two US Youth National records broken

Daesha Rogers (Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Dept.) not only broke one national record, but two. In the Bantam Girls' 1,500m Rogers looked determined to get the national record of 4 minutes 51.28 seconds. As the crowd helped cheer her home, she was able to break a record that had been standing since 1994. Rogers ran 4:50.97 and was crowned champion. She said, "I was happy because my fastest time before this was 4:52." Only minutes later, she stepped back on the track to dominate the 400m and winning in 1:03.52. Rogers finished out the week with three blue ribbons around her neck.

"That was the fastest I have ever gotten out of the blocks," said Kendall Baisden (Motor City) as she swept the Youth Girls 100m and snagged the US Youth National record, running a time of 11.73 seconds. As Baisden started the race she said she knew that she was ahead, but stated, "I had to keep going because I knew that someone can come up on you in the end." Baisden couldn't stop smiling, "I am really happy with how I did because that was my goal and I got it."

Quadruple winner

Robin Reynolds didn't break any records this week, but she captured four titles while competing in the Intermediate Girls' division for the first time. She has been a standout athlete at the Youth Championships the past couple years. Reynolds added to her wins today by clinching a victory in the 100m (11.68) and 400m (54.07).

Double/Triple Winners highlighting the day

Gunner Nixon (Eastside Steppers) became a triple winner today after capturing a victory in the high jump and 110m hurdles. Nixon's clearance of 2 meters/6 feet 6.75inches bettered his high jump performance in the decathlon by two inches. Gunner said he is happy with how he has performed this week.

Sweeping both hurdle finals for the Youth Girls', Jordie Munford (Southern California Running Club) became a double winner today. She ran 27.70 in the 200mH and 14.53 in the 100mH.

Another double hurdler winner came in the Intermediate Girls' 400mH and 100mH by Nnenya Hailey (Gazelle Track Club). Nnenya clocked a time of 1:01.87 in 400mH and 14.52 in 100mH.

Ryan Silva (Tuscan Elite) finished out a stellar week grasping his second title with a win in the Youth Boys' 1,500m in a time of 4:09.44. He missed the Youth National record but said, "This race was hard, but I can defiantly run faster with competition and have a shot at beating it." The national record is 4:04.72 set in 1983. Silva won the 800m yesterday in a time of 1:59.36.

Jalen Nailor (Southern California Running Club) captured his second win today in the 100m, clocking 12.91 seconds to set a new personal record. He was also the 200m champion in the Bantam Boys'. Nailor said, "It's exciting because I am the fastest kid, and if you win its fun." His secret to running fast is his coach Nailor said. "Coach Chris was in the Olympics so he taught me my form so I can be fast."

Winning the 80mH and the 100m, Jeremy Griffis (Durham Striders) had a standout day in the Midget Boys'. Griffis ran 11.97 seconds in 80mH and 12.19 in the 100m.

Other outstanding performances

After breaking an 800 US Youth national record yesterday, Raevyn Rogers (The Wings Track Club) almost did it again today. Rogers won the Youth Girls' 400m in 53.36 with the current record standing at 53.10.

The Bantam Boys' 400m winner and 200m runner-up, Jarrod Simmons (Stallion Track Club) said he had a "fun time" this weekend. Simmons said, "My favorite is the 200 because it tests my mind and my body and there are people out there faster than me for me to beat."

Davidson Arrington (Greensboro Champions) clocked a all-time PR in the Youth Boys' 100m of 11.43 seconds. Arrington said, "I didn't even know I had won when I crossed the line, but once I did I got excited and the first thing that went through my head was I wonder what my time was."

On the Youth Girls side in the 100m, Anaya Bailey (Southern California Running Club) was the champion in 13.91 seconds. Bailey has no secret to running fast but Bailey and her teammates wear two tall socks, one yellow and one blue as a team ritual. Bailey said, "I put the yellow on first on my left and then the blue on my right. They help keep my calves warm."

Marqaux Jones (California Rising Stars) out jumped her competitors by a foot, 5.06m/16-7.25, to clinch the Midget Girls' long jump. Jones also captured a second place finish earlier this week in the high jump.

Matthew Terrell (Indiana Storm) and Courtland Walls (The Heat Track Club) went one, two in the 100m, trading places from their finishes yesterday in the 200m; Walls winning the 200m with Terrell in second.

4x400 meter relays wrap up the Youth Championships

The Bantam Girls' put on a show for the crowd to get the 4x400m relays started. Track Phi Track Elite Inc. came out on top clocking a time of 4:39.04.

Track Houston B and Maximum OutPut's race came down to a photo finish, but Track Houston B was able to snag the title in 3:37.87 in the Youth Boys', while second clocked a time of 3:37.90.

Track Houston's Young Women ran an outstanding race to win in a time of 3:52.27.

Young Mens' 4x4 ended the Youth Championships with a stellar race. The top five teams battled for the title coming down the home straight on the final leg but Summers and GeorgiaRee T.C. clocked a 3.17.29 to seal the win.

For more information and complete results on the 2009 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships, visit: http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAYouthOutdoorTFChampionships/



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