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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Mark Winitz Pacific Association/USATF Communications Manager Tel: (650) 948-0618 Direct PACIFIC ASSOCIATION YOUTH TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP WILL ATTRACT 1,000 YOUTH ATHLETES
FOLSOM, Calif. - May 24, 2007 - The Pacific Association of USA Track & Field (PA/USATF) will hold its annual Pacific Association Youth Track & Field Championship on the track of Bella Vista High School (Fair Oaks, Calif.), Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10. Almost 1,000 youth athletes, ages 18 years and under, representing over 50 PA/USATF youth clubs, will compete. "Programs for youth athletes comprise a significant portion of the Pacific Association's activities," said John Mansoor, PA/USATF's Executive Director. "Thanks to our generous volunteers, dedicated parents, and superior youth events, we have one of the strongest USATF youth programs in the nation. Our youth track championship showcases a wealth of young athletic talent." The PA/USATF Youth Track & Field Championship is traditionally the first major event of the USATF youth track season where PA/USATF-member clubs can size up their local competition on a path that will take top competitors to the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships (July 24-29, Walnut, Calif.). At last year's PA/USATF championship meet, the Oakland-based 3M Track Club won the combined team division competition. The Roseville Express Track Club (RETC), last year's top Sacramento/Placer Valley team in the meet, expects to improve upon its 9th-place combined score and defend its title in the Young Men's division. Two young pole vaulters will anchor RETC's squad of 50 club entrants: Rachel Simmons, a Senior at Rocklin High School, has vaulted 12 feet, 10 inches this season in high school competition. Blair Wallingford, a Junior at Roseville High School, has vaulted 15-6 this season. Both athletes were selected for Junior Olympic All-American honors by USATF in 2006. Additional top athletes on RETC's squad include twin brothers Robbie and Cale Simmons (Intermediate Boys, pole vault), Granite Bay High School's Shawn Taylor (Intermediate Boys, 800 meters), and Woodcreek High School Freshman Jordan Hardy (Intermediate Girls, Hurdles). The PA/USATF Youth Track & Field Championship meet is expected to draw about 1,000 athletes, their coaches and parents, plus meet administrators and officials, from all over northern California and northwestern Nevada. The meet provides a helpful boost for local economy and tourism. Thanks to Placer Valley Tourism for their generous support of this event.
The Pacific Association is the largest member association of USA Track & Field (USATF). We serve northern California and northwestern Nevada. USATF is the National Governing Body for track and field, long distance running, and race walking in the United States. For more information about the Pacific Association and the PA/USATF Youth Track & Field Championship, visit our Web site, pausatf.org. |
