Team USA off to Strong Start at IAAF World Youth Champs

7/10/2013

DONETSK, UKRAINE - Team USA enjoyed a successful morning on the first day of competition at the IAAF World Youth Championships as multiple athletes advanced with ease to the next round of competition.

In the first round of the women’s 100m hurdles (72.2 cm) Dior Hall (Denver, Colo.) ran to a personal best of 13.39 in the first heat to advance automatically to the semifinals. Hall’s time is No. 10 on the all-time high school list, with her mother owning the high school record. Mikiah Brisco (Baton Rouge, La.) also ran a PR of 13.73 out of the fifth heat to secure her spot in the semifinals.

Isaiah Moore (Burlington, N.C.) soared to a personal best of 7.42m/24-4.25 (+2.0) to advance automatically to the final of the men’s long jump. After a foul on his first attempt, all he needed was one more jump before Friday’s final.

Ryan Clark (College Park, Ga.) ran to a personal best in the first round of the men’s 400m in 46.84 to win the fifth heat and advance automatically to the semifinals. Jordan Jimerson (Edison, N.J.) took third in the fourth heat in 48.28 to narrowly secure his spot in the next round. In round one of the women’s 400m, Olivia Baker (South Orange, N.J.) advanced with ease as she won the second heat in 54.41.

In the women’s discus throw qualification. Lloydricia Cameron (Miami, Fla.) had a best throw of 44.99m/147-7 on her second attempt. Cameron finished 5th in group A and was able to secure her spot in the final. Ashlie Blake (Las Vegas, Nev.) sent the disc sailing 42.02m/137-10 on her first attempt to finish 9th in group B.

In the men’s shot put, Amir Ali Patterson (Encino, Calif.) was only able to record one mark, but his 19.09m/62-7 throw on his first attempt was good enough to secure his spot in tonight’s final.

In the women’s 1500m, Alexa Efraimson (Camas, Wash.) and Anna Maxwell (Felton, Calif.) both secured their spots in the final, albeit in very different fashions. In the first heat, Maxwell hung onto the back of the large pack and found herself running alone as a gap developed over the rest of the field. Maxwell hung on to finish in eighth in 4:28.92 to take the last qualifier on time. In the second heat, Efraimson ran in a small pack of three behind the leaders and was able to pull ahead of her competitors to finish third in 4:23.27 to qualify automatically.

Alexa Harmon-Thomas (Lawrence, Kan.) competed in the qualifying round of the women’s high jump where she cleared 1.77m/5-9.75 to secure her spot in Friday’s final. Harmon-Thomas will also begin competition in the heptathlon the same day.

In the first round of the men’s 100m, Kenzo Cotton (La Vista, Neb.) recorded a wind-legal personal best of 10.52 to win the fourth heat. Jaalen Jones (Maylene, Ala.) also took the win in heat 11 with a time of 10.68. Both athletes advanced automatically to the next round.

In the first event of the octathlon, Gabe Moore (Freeport, Fla.) didn’t let a -1.7 headwind deter him from running to a personal best in the 100m of 11.28. Moore finished third overall with 799 points, while Jack Lint (Westerville, Ohio) sits in 18th with 736 points and a time of 11.58.

Competing in the IAAF’s youngest age group, the 16- and 17-year-old athletes were selected to represent Team USA after competing in the World Youth Track & Field Trials in Edwardsville, Ill., on June 25-26.

For complete results of the 2013 IAAF World Championships, visit www.IAAF.org. Competition resumes this afternoon following the opening ceremonies at 4:00pm local time.

Athlete Quotes

Dior Hall, women’s 100m hurdles, round 1
“I felt pretty good, I didn’t feel as good as I wanted too, but I was driven to make the semis. I wasn’t expecting to be in the first heat, but I’m actually glad that I was so I could go ahead and get it out of the way and focus on what I can do better in the semis.”

Mikiah Brisco, women’s 100m hurdles, round 1
“I’m excited. My main goal today was just to get in the top two of my heat so I could get to the next round. It just felt good to come out here and do my best.”

Lloydricia Cameron, women’s discus throw, qualification A
“Coming far away, it is very fun. It is a new experience. It is a bigger meet, and you have to come with your A game and perform. It wasn’t what I expected, but I thank God for what I threw. I’m happy that I made it here, when others couldn’t be.”

Ashlie Blake, women’s discus throw, qualification B
“I was really nervous, I don’t know why. Competing for the USA puts a lot of pressure on you. Everyone is looking at the USA and you have to perform. But I’m proud of myself.”

Amir Ali Patterson, men’s shot put, qualification A
“It was a little nerve wracking. I got out there and thought I was going to be fine, but the nerves kind of got to me and my technique kind of went out the window. Thankfully I was able to pull out a throw that might make it to the finals. If I’m able to go, I’ll try to be a little more composed.”

Jordan Jimerson, men’s 400m, round 1
“It was a good race. I got out hard, but coming into 300, the other guy made a nice push and got me. I came it third, and I wanted to do better, but I’m proud of myself.”

Ryan Clark, men’s 400m, round 1
“I felt good and I ran a PR, so I’m happy with that. I breezed through and it was really easy, so I’m glad that I won my heat.”

Alexa Efraimson, women’s 1500m, round 1
"t went really well. Honestly all I wanted to do was to be in the top-three. The top four make it to the final, but I really wanted to be in the top three to really secure my spot, so that’s what I did. When I put this jersey on this morning, it was so real. It is crazy to be running for the USA.”

Anna Maxwell, women’s 1500m, round 1
“I didn’t feel very well. It has been a long year, but I’m going to remember this great experience. It is super crazy [to wear USA singlet] and I’m proud, it is amazing. I’m so lucky.”

Alexa Harmon-Thomas, women’s high jump, qualification A
“I’m more relaxed now that I have my spot in the final, I was a little nervous before. I’m really glad the high jump is first before the heptathlon. The hep is probably my stronger event, so being able to come out here before that is really great.”

Olivia Baker, women’s 400m, round 1
“This has always been a dream of mine, just to run here is so great. I’m living my dream right now.

Kenzo Cotton, men’s 100m, round 1
“I felt pretty good, my start was alright, and my finish was good. Being out there and getting that first race out of the way, feeling everyone, it was good.”

Jaalen Jones, men’s 100m, round 1
"I feel much better after the first round. The nerves are out of the way, and I'm ready to run. It puts me in a better place going into the semifinals after taking the win in the first round"