Youth Cross Country, Track & Field, Race Walking
Fall 2021 Youth Meeting
The USATF-Pacific Association Youth Committee will host the Annual Fall Coaches Meeting on Saturday, October 9th at Pinole Valley High from 10:00am-2:00pm. Pinole Valley High School is located at 2900 Pinole Valley Rd, Pinole, CA 94564.
If you have topics you would like to add to the agenda, please forward them to Deborah Sample ([email protected]) no later than September 30th.Important, Recent USATF Youth Policy Changes
- CLICK HERE for Pacific Association Coaches Badge info and application
- CLICK HERE for Extensive Updates on USATF Youth Championships COACHES Credentialing Policy Program (Revised 2-2021)
- Youth BIRTH CERTIFICATE Policy Changes (Revised 11-2020)
- USATF Date of Birth Verification Policy Document showing changes, which includes: “all birth certificates must be uploaded at the National Website no later than FIVE days prior to the meet deadline.”
- View the complete USATF Birth Certificate Policy Change
- For assistance and questions, call 317-261-0500.
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!
Daily USATF JO News Posts with USATF Pacific Champions
click here for the New England Association return to practice template
Latest Youth News
► YTF Annual Fall Coaches Meeting Announcement – Sat, Oct. 9th @ 10am
The USATF-Pacific Association Youth Committee will host the Annual Fall Coaches Meeting on Saturday, October 9th at Pinole Valley High from 10:00am-2:00pm. Pinole Valley High School is located at 2900 Pinole Valley Rd, Pinole, CA 94564.
If you have topics you would like to add to the agenda, please forward them to Deborah Sample ([email protected]) no later than September 30th.
► PA Assoc Annual Meeting – 19 Sept. details
2021 USATF Pacific Annual Meeting via zoom
Sunday, 19 September 3:00-7:00pm
The Board of Athletics will select the delegates for the USATF Annual Meeting (2-5 December); discuss the 2022 PA-USATF annual budget; in addition to the first reading of proposed association bylaws will be considered. Below is the preliminary agenda. Please send requests to add additional items to the president, Charlotte Sneed at [email protected] by Friday, September 10th.
All updates and meeting documents will be posted on the website under ‘about’ and meetings’ prior to the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report – treasurer /Mansoor: Revision/update
2022 Budget Proposal
2021 USATF Annual Meeting (2-5 December) – Charlotte Sneed
Nomination of delegates and alternates
Proposed Association ByLaw revision for first reading – Dave Shrock
USATF Pacific Foundation update
Covid19 Status
Competition Status Update
NCAA D1 West Region XC meet this fall in Sacramento – Daniel Domenichelli
Club Cross in SF Fall 2022 – Irene Herman
Junior Olympic Track & Field National Championships in Sacramento – John Mansoor
Fall XC Status
2021 Track and Field
Future Meetings: November 16th via Zoom
► YTF Annual Fall Coaches Meeting Announcement – Sat, Oct. 9th @ 2pm
The USATF-Pacific Association Youth Committee will host the Annual Fall Coaches Meeting on Saturday, October 9th at Pinole Valley High from 10:00am-2:00pm. Pinole Valley High School is located at 2900 Pinole Valley Rd, Pinole, CA 94564.
If you have topics you would like to add to the agenda, please forward them to Deborah Sample ([email protected]) no later than September 30th.
► TF Women’s Decathlon Champs final results with AR!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 23, 2021 Contact: Fred Baer [email protected]com m/t: 650.483.3733
“Greatest Woman Athlete” Smashes American Record; Runner-up Has H.S. Best:
JORDAN GRAY PUTS WOMEN’S DECATHLON RECORD OVER 8,000 POINTS
Jordan Gray obliterated her American Record in the women’s decathlon Sunday, running up history’s second highest total of 8,246 points in the Women’s Decathlon Association “National” Championships at College of San Mateo.
The Ball Ground, Ga. resident becomes only the third person to score over 8,000 points in the 10-event competition, which, effectively, determines the “world’s greatest” female athlete.
The world record is 8,358 points by Austra Skujyte of Lithuania in 2005. The only other athlete to ever top the 8K mark was Marie Collonville of France, who set the former world record of 8,150 points in 2004.
Gray added a phenomenal 325 points to the American and Western Hemisphere Records of 7,921 she set in the first Women’s Decathlon Championships in 2019, also at CSM. It is the third American track and field record set on CSM’s international Mondo track facility — as the college begins its 100th season of athletic competition. Kim Kreiner, previously, set an AR in the women’s javelin throw at CSM.
WIND AVERAGE = LEGAL SCORE UNDER CURRENT RULES: Gray’s average wind-reading for the three events affected by wind was 1.4 meters per second, well under the allowable average of 2.0 (according to newer rules). Her competition opening 100 meter time was 11.86 seconds, aided by a 4.6 meters per second wind – the fastest ever under any conditions in a decathlon. Gray’s second day 100 meter hurdles race (timed in 14.43) was intentionally run into a 2.5 mps headwind, still scoring 919 points, to lower the overall meet wind average. (Her personal best is 13.80.) Gray had a 20 foot, 1 inch long jump the first day with legal 2.0 wind assistance – as she tallied the highest ever first day tally by an American, 4,356 points.
Gray, a 2019 Kennesaw State University grad, continued to roll on day two with a discus throw of 130-8 for 652 points. She won the pole vault at 12-10 for 935 points and the javelin throw at 135-0 (689 points), equaling the second best mark by an American in a women’s decathlon. That had been achieved in 1997 by Stacy Dragila (the ex-pole vault world record holder who was a former community college heptathlon star). Gray finished with a 1,500 meter time of 5 minutes, 20.27 seconds, for 697 points to easily surpass the record. .
“The world record wasn’t something I was targeting,” said Gray. “I just wanted to come in and do my best without worrying about it – and get the American record.”
Gray, who was born in Lawenceville, Ga., plans to continue lobbying officials in USA Track & Field and World Athletics to allow women to contest the decathlon, along with the men, in major competitions.
Cash prizes were awarded to the top post-collegiate competitors by the Women’s Decathlon Association and by 3-time local Olympian Pat Daniels Connollly, an Olympic multievent pioneer in the pentathlon (in 1964). She is a former Capuchino High (San Bruno) and CSM student who now resides in Half Moon Bay.
HIGHEST EVER HS TOTAL: Corinn Brewer, an incoming senior at Greensburg (Pa.) Central Catholic, achieved the best ever high school decathlon score, 5,698 points, finishing second in the overall competition. She does not, however, officially break the high school and under age 20 record of 5,676 points — due to her excess wind average (over 2.0) for the competition. Brewer, also a cross country runner at her high school, won the concluding 1,500 meters in a swift 4:59.57 (829 points) – only the sixth ever (second American) to better 5 minutes in a women’s decathlon. That prevented race runner-up Gray from having the leading mark in all ten events.
INTERNATIONAL FIELD: Uxia Pereira of Spain finished fourth in the meet with 5,539 points.
–Only men currently contest the decathlon at the Olympic Games, although the women’s event is an official World Athletics and USATF competition. This competition provided an opportunity to determine the “greatest woman athlete” just two weeks after the Olympics.
National and local level officials from the Pacific Association of USA Track & Field officiated the competition, using laser measurements and national timing services of Sean Laughlin of RecordTiming.
For complete results, see: https://www.rtspt.com/events/usatf/wdec21/
Women’s Dec website: www.womensdecathlonassociation.com
WOMEN’S DECATHLON ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, Presented by Parity, Aug. 21-22, at College of San Mateo. Final scores:
1.Jordon Gray, Ball Ground, Ga., 8,246 points (betters own American record of 7.928, set at CSM, 2029).
- Corinn Brewer, Greensburg (Pa.) Central Catholic H.S., 5,698w (highest ever high school score)
- Hanna McPhee, San Francisco, 5,613.
- Uxia Pereira, Spain, 5,539
- Anna Lee McGregor, San Francisco, 4,598.
- Natalia Quesada Marshall, San Francisco,
All-Time World Women’s Decathlon Performances Over 8,000 Points:
8,358 WR Austra Skujyte, Lithuania, 2005.
8,246 AR Jordan Gray, USA, 2021.
8,150 WR Marie Collonville, France, 2004.
Note: Gray also has the No. 4 all-time performance of 7,921 points, set in her 2019 American Record competition at CSM.
WR = World Record when achieved
AR = American and Area (Continental) Records
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► TF National Wm’s Decathlon Champs at San Mateo this weekend!
“GREATEST WOMAN ATHLETE” NOT DECIDED IN TOKYO;
WOMEN’S DECATHLON CHAMPIOSHIPS SET FOR COL. OF SAN MATEO AUG. 21-22
NOTE: Although the women’s decathlon is an officially recognized World Athletics and USA Track & Field competition, women are not yet allowed to contend for the “world’s greatest woman athlete” title at the Olympic Games. They are currently restricted to the vintage 7-event heptathlon, which was contested in Tokyo two weeks ago.
College of San Mateo, which had student Pat Daniels (Connolly) pioneer women’s multi-event Olympic competition with the pentathlon at the 1964 Tokyo Games, is therefore hosting the only 2021 women’s decathlon championship meet this year. See link to New York Times Story at bottom –for background.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2021
From/contact: Fred Baer Women’s Decathlon LOC Chair [email protected] 650.483.3733
College Of San Mateo Still the Center of Women’s Multi-Event Competition
WOMEN’S DECATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO CSM AUG. 21-22; AR HOLDER / WORLD LEADER JORDAN GRAY HOPES TO BECOME FIRST AMERICAN TO SCORE 8,000+
The Women’s Decathlon National Championships are returning to College of San Mateo, this Saturday, August 21-22
Click here for a link to start lists, results, event info.
The 2021 Women’s Decathlon Association Championships, presented by Parity, is only the second standalone national meet for women to contest all 10 disciplines of the decathlon, such as the men concluded just two weeks earlier at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The event “routinely” determines a gender’s “greatest athlete.”
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers this weekend. Jordan Gray set an American record of 7,921 points as CSM staged the first formal championship meet on June 22-23, 2019. She plans to defend her title and hopes to become the first American to better 8,000 points.
The Pandemic prevented most competition in 2020. Gray, however, did produce the season’s “world leading” performance of 7,627 points, finally getting into a special competition in Marble Falls, Texas, on Oct. 3-4. She broke her own “world decathlon long jump record, jumping 6.19 meters (20 feet, 3 3/4 inches).
Gray had set the former record of 6.18 while setting an American and North American area decathlon record in the 2019 competition at CSM. She ranks No. 3 all-time in the decathlon and hopes to challenge the world record of 8,358 points, set in 2005 by Austra Skujyte of Lithuania. Gray has already this year improved her individual long jump best significantly to 21 feet, 2 inches.
One international entrant confirmed, Uxia Pereira of Spain. Two early local (San Francisco) entrants are: AnnaLee MacGregor and Hanna McPhee.
Competition begins on Saturday, August 21, at 1 p.m., and at 11 a.m. on Sunday and should run approximately four hours each day.
CSM has long been a USA base for women’s combined events. In 1964 then CSM student Pat Daniels (Connolly) was the first to compete in an Olympic multi-event competition, the pentathlon – as women were finally allowed to contest five events (compared to the 10-event men’s decathlon). She finished seventh.
CURRENTLY WOMEN COMPETE IN ONLY 7-EVENT HEPTATHLON IN OLYMPICS:
Women now compete in the 7-event heptathlon at World and Olympic meets. The women’s decathlon is, however, formally recognized by World Athletics, which maintains lists of annual and all-time performances.
The decathlon adds two key field events for women, the pole vault and the discus throw to the existing menu of long jump, shot put, and javelin throw. The running event program changes from contesting the 200 and 800 meters to running the 100, 400, and 1,500 meters. The hurdles remain for both genders.
Pat Daniels Connolly still lives on the San Francisco Peninsula, in Half Moon Bay. The 3-time Olympian remains an avid supporter of the women’s decathlon. She was one of the youngest women ever to represent the USA in the Olympic Games, competing in the 800 meters in 1960 after her junior year at San Bruno’s Capuchino High School.
This championship meet in Silicon Valley is an open meet for interested qualified athletes. It is certified by USATF for record purposes. USATF Pacific Association officials will conduct the competition.
The Women’s Decathlon Association is staging the meet, in conjunction with partner Parity, a leader in the movement for parity in women’s sports.
For further information, contact meet director Becca Peter, [email protected]. event website: https://womensdecathlonassociation.com/
An Olympic Hurdle: Why Is the Decathlon Only for Men? – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
► PA Proposed assoc Bylaw revisions
In accordance with USATF-Pacific and USATF bylaws, attached are proposed association bylaw revision which will be discussed during the 19 Sept. annual meeting.
Any approved revisions will be made with a second and final reading during the November meeting prior to a vote and possible approval.
Click here for Version 20 revision: PAUSATF ByLaw Revision 20 (2021- 8- 17)
Any questions, email Dave Shrock at [email protected]
► PA Assoc Annual Meeting – 19 Sept. details
2021 USATF Pacific Annual Meeting via zoom
Sunday, 19 September 3:00-7:00pm
The Board of Athletics will select the delegates for the USATF Annual Meeting (2-5 December); discuss the 2022 PA-USATF annual budget; in addition to the first reading of proposed association bylaws will be considered. Below is the preliminary agenda. Please send requests to add additional items to the president, Charlotte Sneed at [email protected] by Friday, September 10th.
All updates and meeting documents will be posted on the website under ‘about’ and meetings’ prior to the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report – treasurer /Mansoor: Revision/update
2022 Budget Proposal
2021 USATF Annual Meeting (2-5 December) – Charlotte Sneed
Nomination of delegates and alternates
First reading of association Bylaw update proposal – Dave Shrock
USATF Pacific Foundation update
Covid19 Status
Competition Status Update
NCAA D1 West Region XC meet this fall in Sacramento – Daniel Domenichelli
Club Cross in SF Fall 2022 – Irene Herman
Junior Olympic Track & Field National Championships in Sacramento – John Mansoor
Fall XC Status
2021 Track and Field
Future Meetings: November 16th via Zoom
► PA Complete Olympic TF schedule with event times, athletes, and results links
Peter Thompson of the Spirt of Oregon Foundation has created an great resource of the complete Olympic TF schedule with event times, competitors, and link to results on this linked excel sheet.
TOKYO Olympic T&F schedule – WHOLE USA time zones with RESULTS HYPERLINKS
Also handy is the NBC viewing guide: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/how-watch-track-and-field-tokyo-olympics
Go team USA!
