Youth Cross Country, Track & Field, Race Walking
Today’s USATF Pacific youth athletes are tomorrow’s champions! As the #1 youth participatory sport, every child competes alongside their peers in 2-year age divisions, from age 8 & younger up to 18. Everyone trains and competes – no one is left on a bench! Track & Field events take place in the spring and summer; Cross Country events are held in the Fall; Race Walking competitions are held year round. All offer a variety of both competitive and fitness opportunities, and they lead up to regional, national and even international competitions. Only USATF members may participate in USA Track & Field’s Junior Olympic program.
The Pacific Association is the largest youth program Northern California, with nearly 4,000 young athletes competing each year. Success at the Junior Olympic level can led to college scholarships. Many of America’s top collegiate and post-collegiate athletes began their road to fame by competing in the USATF Junior Olympic programs. They include stars such as Amber and Ashton Purvis, Javid Best, Jordan Hasay and Olympians such as Jeremy Wariner, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards, and Lauryn Williams.
JOIN USATF today and make your Olympic dreams come true!
Latest Youth News
► YTF 2 Golds, 2 Silvers, 1 Bronze by PA Youth at 2018 Jr. Outdoor TF Champs +more! Courtesy of Andy Martin, exclamationservicesusa.com
► YTF UPDATED CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
To Coaches, Officials & Parents
The meet flyer for the Pacific Association Youth Track & Field Championships has been updated and placed on the USATF Pacific Website Youth Track & Field Schedule as of Saturday 6/16/18 @ 5pm. If you are a Coach, Parent with athletes competing or an official who will be assisting, please make sure you have the most up-to-date version.
For your convenience you can also view a copy here.
► OFF George Kleeman funeral details for Monday, 30 April
In Remembrance of George Kleeman
Full biography of George’s life and contributions
Monday, 30 April:
Christ the King Catholic Church
199 Brandon Rd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (google maps link)
9:30-10:00am – viewing
10:00 – Mass
Immediate following: Reception with buffet lunch and open mic
Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant
(walking distance from church)
611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (google maps link)
Private burial following
Remembrance donation:
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to the George Kleeman Officials Training Fund. This fund is a part of the Pacific Association Foundation, a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Click on this link for an electronic donation via PayPal.
Or mail cash and check donations to:
Pacific Association Foundation
George Kleeman Officials Training Fund
120 Ponderosa Ct.
Folsom, CA 95630
The Pacific Association Foundation was established as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to assist members of the Pacific Association with funding for programs to develop Olympic-caliber athletes and to support vital regional youth programs, coaching education, officials’ clinics, and more.
► YOUTH USATF Youth Travel Grant Deadline is April 6!
USATF is happy to announce the Mark Springer Travel Grant Program for the 2018 season. This program has awarded over $650,000 to more than 450 youth clubs over the past 18 years. These funds are awarded for travel expenses associated with the USATF Youth and National Junior Olympic Championships in an effort to allow young athletes the opportunity to compete amongst the best in our sport.
The grant award is up to $750.00 and must be used as a part of your club’s participation in one of the following 2018 USATF National Championship events:
March 9-11: USATF Hershey National Youth Indoor Champs, Staten Island, NY
June 26 – July 1: USATF Youth Outdoor Champs, Rochester, NY
July 23-29: USATF Hershey Junior Olympic T&F Champs, Greensboro, NC
December 8: USATF Junior Olympic XC Champs, Reno, NV
Application Deadline is April 6, 2018
For program history and complete grant provisions, visit the 2018 Mark Springer Travel Grant Page.
We wish every USATF member club the best of luck this year and look forward to seeing you at our Youth and Junior Olympic Championships!
► PA Tues, 20 March Board of Athletics meeting details
Tuesday’s BoA meeting schedule:
5:30-6:00pm: Open deli dinner (remains open through meeting)
6:00-7:15pm: Association Awards Presentations:
– Association Service Award-John Shirey
– Coaches Legacy Award-Will Pittman
– Tom Moore Award-Rob Dewar, Leroy Milam
– Hall of Fame Inductees- Stacy Dragila, Marion Irvine, Magdalena Lewy, Joan Ottoway, Ian Reed, Charlie Sheppard, Bob Shor (posthumously)
7:30-9:00pm: Strategic Planning
9:00-9:50pm: Abbreviated BoA meeting
► YTF Fall 2017 Pacific Association Youth Committee Meeting
Pacific Association Youth Committee:
You are invited to attend the Fall 2017 Pacific Association Youth Committee Meeting to be held on October 28, at 10:00 AM at Logan High School in Union City. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided. If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P to: [email protected]
The Pacific Association Championship schedule and the Club-Hosted Track and Field meet schedule will be voted upon at this meeting. If your club is interested in hosting a meet, please send an e-mail to the Youth Vice-Chair, Carl Bryant [email protected]
Meeting Agenda click HERE
► PA Bob Shor, longtime PA Coach, Volunteer, Official passes
Memorial Services Announced.
The memorial services for long time Track & Field and Cross Country Youth Coach, Starter and Official, Bob Shor has been set. Services will take place on Saturday September 16th beginning at 2pm at Santa Rosa High School ( 1235 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, Ca)
Click HERE to view the obituary published in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
► YOUTH Mike Hammerquist, long-time PA Youth Coach/Volunteer, Memorial Service is August 12.
Service: August 12th at 3pm, Covenant Worship Center, 2622 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley CA
Known throughout the USATF, college, high school and youth circuit as a throws coach who cares, it was a sad day in history when it was discovered that Mike Hammerquist’s spirit had fled this earth on Tuesday, July 18. While his earthly body may no longer be present with us at track & field meets, the many memories of a man who cared deeply for each and every athlete he trained will stay with us for many years to come.
As a die-hard 3M Track Club coach, Mike not only serviced the throws coach needs for his own club but he kindly spread his wealth of throwing knowledge to any youth athlete in need. As an active contributor to the Pacific Association (PA), USATF for nearly 3 decades he still found time to train at local high schools in our area. Although his health was dramatically deteriorating in the last year, he still found the inner strength to continue in his is most recent coaching stint was at Berkeley High School through the 2017 season.
Mike also fulfilled roles on the PA youth Board of Athletics as the first ever Treasurer and then our Field Chairperson for several years. Mike contributed in so many ways it will be impossible to remember them all. We ask that you consider replying with a Mike story of your own. How did he touch your world?
In sport,
Joanne Camargo, Pacific Association Past Youth Chair
P.S. A request from his son Kyle; if you have any pictures of Mike Hammerquist, please forward them to his son Kyle Hammerquist at [email protected].