2004 100mh Olympic Gold Medalist Joanna Hayes
Sunday January 17th, the 18th Annual USATF Region 15 Youth Awards Banquet was held In Carson California. This annual banquet celebrates Region 15′s Youth Outdoor Youth National Champion’s and the Junior Olympic Champions as well. The keynote speaker was Joanna Hayes and closing remarks was delivered by Kori Carter California CIF State Champion and World Junior Team member
**This season Region 15 had a total of:
24 Outdoor Youth National Championships
5 Outdoor Youth National Multiple Events Champions(including relays)
Anaya Bailey BG 100m,200m
Jalen Nailor BB 100m 200m 4x100m
Treavor Capestany MB 1500m,3000m
Jordie Munford 100m hurdles ,200m hurdles (also the JO 100mH and 200mH
Jzsanette Linstrom YW 3000m,Steeple Chase
20 Junior Olympic Champions
2 Junior Olympic Champions with 3 individual event titles*
* Lauren Williams BG 100,200 Long Jump Elite Youth Ranking #1 in all 3 events and the 400m
*Jasymne Graham MG Penthalon, 80mH,Long jump Elite youth ranking #1 in all three events
3 Junior Olympic Records
Jasymne Graham MG 80m Hurdles 11.94
Speed City MB 4x800m Relay 9:19:93
Connor Mc Collough YM Hammer throw 77.67m
The evening began with some pretty good food (for a banquet) and a beautiful slide video presentation of the regions teams and it’s champions .After the food and video Joanna Hayes gave an inspiring key note address. Just in case you don’t know, Joanna among her many highlights over her track and field career is that she is the Olympic 100mH record holder the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist ,NCAA 400mH Champion. In her youth she was the 1995 Juniors and Pan Am Juniors 100mH. Joanna, more than qualified for the job of motivating our youth that had reached such a high levels of competition in the 2009 season.
She spoke passionately about her career highs and also the lows related to injury. ”Everybody gets injured some times get use to the idea and take the best care you can of yourself. You have to be 100% determined that you are going to be where you dream of being one day.” She went on to say what I felt was the most import part of the entire speech, paraphrased she said that it is vitally important to be a good competitor,a competitor that repects the sport,the rules of the sport and most important the athletes that you compete against.It is very important to to be the kind of athlete that others respect and in the time of your victory they can celebrate with you. It would be a very lonely hollow victory if when your moment arrived no one could be happy for you,celebrate with you . You have to know that sacrifice is a part of being a champion.You must consider all the factors that contribute to success including; rest,proper food (she, on more than one occassion brought her own food to a barbeque to stay “food focused” my phrase )
After her speech the awards were passed out and,smiles and proud parents were at full attention.
it was a lovely evening and a great way to begin the 2010 season. Kori Carter the California State Champion inthe 100mH and 300mH finished up the evening with a uniquely youthful encouragement that only a person of her age could give.It was very inspiring and uplifting and I know Lauren was really excited to hear her then meet her after the banquet was over.
Until Next Time
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