Day 1 and Day 2 At The USATF Junior Olympic Championships
July 24, 2008
My Day 1 USATF Junior Olympic Championship
I realize some have been here already a full day , But today is my day 1 so we start from today. What a travel day it has been.I won’t bore you with any details this go round.Just glad we are here. It’s now 10:45pm July the 23rdand I am officially trying to write something for today but the internet connection is not cooperating, so I am writing this on a word doc and going to try and go down stairs in a few and try and put this evenings post up.
I am playing Chris Botti and trying to unwind while Lauren has completely passed out over 40 minutes ago to my very mellow music that always puts her to sleep.(That’s why I play it ),she actually likes it and looks forward to relaxing to it when we are out of town ,in a hotel.
Hotel Critic
We are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I have stayed at others, most recently Phoenix, Arizona in April for the Phoenix Invitational. This property is “Sucky”…If I can get a signal in some of the less than desirable motels we have stayed in during the , I would expect no less from this one. Guess I was wrong. All they keep saying is.”Wanna use my connection down here?”..NO, That why I brought my computer silly, I wanna use it UP HERE IN MY ROOM.
The over all room rating is barely above standard and it smells like cigarettes although they Swear this is a non smoking room, it looks like it is 7 years past ready for a makeover. I brought my disinfectant spray; I am using it,’cause they look like they don’t. For God’s sake this is Omaha, not L.A. I expected it to be more bang for my husbands hard earned bucks. .Nope enough about that…
Opening Ceremonies
We went to the opening ceremonies this evening and it was very nice and short. A few introductions and a great march of the athletes, with almost if not all regions represented. I am not sure but it appeared that my region 15 had the most representatives. Again, I am not sure why this is. Based on what I know about the other regions it looks like we have the most because more of our Region 15 athletes participate in the USATF JO’s predominately, rather than AAU JO’s. The other regions seem to favor slighty AAU or both on a year to year choice . Number wise a good showing at almost 6,000.
AAU is projected at 9,000 for the track portion and 4,000 for the other sports. There will be many to continue on to AAU as well In the days to come.
On to the Track
If I could get online and review the results I could have talked more about some of the results today but I can’t so I can only highlight a couple of events I know about and look forward to tomorrow events.
Can You Say Hail to the Queen “Victoria Powell”, Bantam Girl Gold medalist and new National Record holder in the Triathlon today. With a decisive victory today begins her Olympic quest for 3 gold medals in the triathlon, 200m and 400m. In quite a show stopping performance, giving us a glimpse of the domination she possesses in the 200 and 400 back stretch run. These races aren’t for the faint of heart. The line up for the final 8 will have to bring their “A” Go fast Or Go Home Game and some one elses too! If they intend on giving Queen Powell a challenge worthy of Gold Medal Contention.
As most of you may know Lauren Willams, Janette Paul and Morgan Davis are the opponents which pose the most obvious oposition to gold on finals day .
See ya tomorrow I hope…
Day 2 USATF Junior Olympic Championships
Yeah I finally got a signal, Okay I am sitting in the hall way at 9:30 pm , just outside my room but, I got a signal.
Here,we go.Girls 200m. Lauren looked very nervous at thre blocks and when the gun went off I could tell something wasn’t quite right….she was 4th after the curve and things were not looking so good.Turn over occured at the 130 and she placed 2nd behind Morgan Davis of Houston .
It just wasn’t enough today and for the first time ths season she will not be in the finals. Losing is part of winning as I always say. I think this lose is more difficult because her time wasn’t good, her race wasn’t her normal race.This is not an excuse more of an observation.Morgan Davis first place finisher in the heat ran a brilliant, determined race and that is how you get to finals.Go fast or Go Home…Lauren is going home for this year in the 200m maybe next year. Races are not won on potential or performance times and ranking ,but on the track .
Lauren took the not qualifying well.Dad not as well, Mom not as well as Lauren better than dad. : ) I really wanted her to get to finals. I felt that she had it in her to go top 4. Perhaps another year. She says “mom,it’s over and I will run better tomorrow” , I know I didn’t run as good as I could”.I beieve that to be true.
She is in great spirits and we had dinner with the Powell family this evening and she was happy as a clam,even dad is better. They sang happy birthday and in the big picture this was a good day.Tomorrow is Lauren’s 9th Birthday and we sang happy birthday to her this evening after dinner. She was very happy for the candle and little bit of ice cream.
Other races that are heating up tomorrow are the 4×100 girls relay. 3m has been a dominating force all season in this relay favorite. They promise not to slow down going for Gold as Quiet Fire looks to find it’s own magic to finish first.
In the Bantam Girl 100m Morgan Davis promises to continue to turn up the heat on the competition looking to qualify tomorrow and my Sunday take home to additional medal to her silver medal in the triathlon from Tuesday.
My final thought of the day
So far the meet seems to be running very smoothly and it will be interesting to compare the AAU JO’s to this meet. The stadium in very nice . Today’s weather was kinda yucky and wet very wet early on.After the 200m races the rain stopped and it was just a little humid and sticky.But we expected that. The announcer is a little less than exciting. I had hoped he would be able to give a few more details on the athletes(last year champion etc.. I suppose he may not have been given that information to share. His voice is almost monotone and some times he missed announcing so of the athletes,before they ran.
The volunteers have been very polite and gracious. People hare pleasant and I haven’t seen any rudness in the stands. That makes me very happy. it was so exciting seeing the athletes so focused yet having so much fun on and off the track. Lauren is having a very good time and says she can’t wait tuntil next year.I guess she is planning ahead. : )
There are so many California athletes here I almost feel like home.
I just want to say good luck and run your best to all from Region15 and ever one from around the country .
Over all people have been great and more than few even have said Hello to TrackMom. My favorite part after watching Lauren meeting all the new track mom’s and dad too!
Well we are up tomorrow very early and hoping for the best for Lauren. In the 100m and relay. I will keep you posted. On my hotel today..The connection problem remains but I got one so what if I have to sit on the floor in the hall way to get it. The customer service to try and fix it was I must say very good.They tried , just no go…. Breakfast was okay ,just okay…I am not thrilled with this hotel,it’s not the first time it won’t be the last. OH WELL
Until Next Time
Related posts:
- Day 3 Junior Olympic Championships…… Happy Birthday Lauren Rain
- AAU Junior Olympic Championships Day 5 It’s An Off Day Today For Us
- Day 2 July 29th,2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games
- It’s Here!! The 2008 USATF Junior Olympics Has Arrived
- AAU Junior Olympic Games …. Why Would You Take Your Youth Athlete There?
Good job to Lauren for pulling into 2nd after not having such a great beginning of her race. Sounds like she has a good attitude and is having fun regardless of winning or not. Her parents have taught her well!
I’m looking forward to hear how her 100M & relay went. Oh and I feel for you with the cruddy hotel…ugh!!