First, learn the basic differences between the USATF Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the USATF Junior Olympic National Track & Field Championships:
To enter the USATF Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships, entrants must be at least 14 years old on the day of competition but not turn 20 years old at any time in 2016. They do not compete in 2-year age divisions. This year about 500 athletes will be competing. Learn more.. This year’s meet is being held this weekend in Clovis, CA, and it will serve as a selection meet for Team USA in the International Association of Athletics Federations World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, July 19-24.
At the Junior Olympic National Track & Field Championships, competition takes place in six (6) two-year age divisions, with athletes generally falling between the ages of 7 and 18. Entries are based on athlete performances at preliminary, Association, and Regional levels of the 2016 USATF Junior Olympic Program. Those who qualify for the national competition have achieved a top 5 mark in their regional meet. Approximately 8,000 youth compete!
So now that you know these two events are quite different, here is the Fresno Bee’s article!