For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Contact:
Vicky Oddi
USA Track & Field
Communications Coordinator
317-261-0500;
[email protected]
BRESSANONE, Italy – Ashton Purvis and Ryan Crouser’s competition-leading marks highlighted the morning session Wednesday, the opening day of the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships in Bressanone, Italy.
2007 World Youth sprint medley relay gold medalist Ashton Purvis (Oakland, Calif.) easily qualified for the girls 100m second round, dominating heat 1 for the win in 11.57 seconds. Jordan Clark (Detroit, Mich.) also won her heat, crossing the line in 11.74. Purvis and Clark have the first and third-fastest qualifying times, respectively. In the boys 100m first round, Team USA advanced both athletes to tonight’s second round as Prezel Hardy (Killeen, Texas) cruised to the win in heat 6 in 10.83 and Colin Heburn (Glenview, Ill.) took third in heat 7 in 10.95.
The current world youth leader in the boys discus, Ryan Crouser (Portland, Ore.) had the farthest throw in qualifying with 62.59 meters/205 feet 4 inches and Alex Thompson (Rockford, Ill.) had the third-farthest throw at 58.62m/192-4. Both advanced to tonight’s final.
The girls 100m hurdlers easily moved into the next round as 2008 World Junior team member Kori Carter (Claremont, Calif.) won heat 1 in 13.73. Bridgette Owens (Detroit, Mich.) was second in heat 3 in 13.77.
Running an easy 57.24 through the first 400m, the pace picked up over the final 400m as Bronson Duran (Albuquerque, N.M.) took second in heat 5 of the boys 800m in 1:54.57 and automatically qualified for the semifinal round. Quincy Downing (Dayton, Ohio) finished sixth in heat 8 in 1:58.58.
In the girls shot put, Lacie Rasley (Bakersfield, Calif.) was 11th in qualifying group a with a throw of 12.25m/40-2.25 and Sarah Howard (Dublin, Ga.) was 13th in group b with 12.09m/39-8.
For more information on Team USA and the 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships, visit www.usatf.org. For complete results, visit www.iaaf.org.
ATHLETE QUOTES
Kori Carter, girl’s 100m hurdles 1st round
"It felt great. I’m just happy to get started. I’m ready for the final."
Bronson Duran – boys 800m 1st round
"I think it went well. We took it out too slow, I think the first lap was 57, but the last 300m was good. I just tried to stay with Jordan (Williamsz of Australia) and make it to the next round. "
Quincy Downing – boys 800m 1st round
"I was very excited to come over here and represent my country and be a part of Team USA. I just wish I had been able to perform better for Team USA."
Ashton Purvis – girls 100m 1st round
"I was a little nervous. I was trying to remember to trust in my race and try to relax. I’m happy to get the first round out of the way."
Jordan Clarke – girls 100m 1st round
"I like this track, the 100 looks shorter so it was easier for me to run."
Alex Thompson – boys discus qualifying
"My first throw went in to the cage. I kept my cool and got a solid throw in. I’m ready for the final."
Prezel Hardy – boys 100m 1st round
"It was good. I didn’t like the delay (from four false starts in the heat before mine), but I didn’t let it affect me. I was just trying to concentrate on my race."
Colin Hepburn – boys 100m 1st round
"It was harder than I thought it would be. I’m happy I made it to the next round."
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
