Track & Field and Cross-Country Bulletin for Aug 08, 2019
Sioux Falls clinics launch 2019-20 Project campaigns
The NSAF's Project Javelin Gold and Project Triple Jump are excited to once again open their 2019-20 campaigns at their joint clinic at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D., August 8-11.
Project Javelin home page | Project Triple Jump home page | Detailed story about NSAF/SSSI Joint Clinic
It's the third year of the NSAF's partnership with the Sanford Sports Science Institute, which mutually benefits each organization. Athletes can still register for the Project Javelin Gold clinic HERE and the Project Triple Jump clinic HERE.
The clinics will feature the new and returning year-long program athletes for each project -- some of the most talented and accomplished young prep javelin throwers and triple jumpers -- as well as a great training and learning opportunity for athletes who register for the weekend from the Sioux Falls region and around the country.
Athletes will get to learn from some of the best coaches in the country. For the javelin clinic, that includes 2-time USA Olympian and Project Head Coach Tom Pukstys, USA Olympic Trials finalists Barry Krammes and Kim Hamilton and elite Louisiana-based coach Rob Woosley. For the triple jump clinic, that includes 1996 Olympic gold medalist and record-holder Kenny Harrison, Bahamian national coach Peter Pratt and Project Coordinator Macka Jones.
The benefit for the NSAF athletes and SSSI is the opportunity for elite athlete testing -- not only to measure progress and development in key areas and its effect on performance, but also to improve the health, safety and performance of all NSAF athletes. Testing and indoor training takes place at the Sanford Pentagon and the Sanford Fieldhouse, while outdoor workouts are held nearby at Howard Wood Field. There will also be classroom sessions, including those led by the NSAF's Sports Psychologist Dr. Margaret Ottley and Sanford Nutritionist Lizzy Kasparek.
For interviews and training videos from the clinic, check out the NSAF's Facebook page, Twitter feed and Instagram account.
2019 GAXC Festival less than 2 months away!
When the dog days of summer start dwindling down, distance runners know that cross-country is just around the corner -- and that means it's time to register for the Great American Cross Country Festival and Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge!
REGISTER HERE | GAXC Home Page | HBCU Challenge Home Page
The 2019 GAXC once again will be among the nation's top prep invitationals with the early registration of California powerhouse Great Oak HS and the Katelyn Touhy-led North Rockland HS, N.Y. girls already spicing up the Nike Race of Champions fields. Tuohy is the 2-time defending Nike Cross Nationals champion and Gatorade National Runner of the Year. For the 4th year, the meet will serve as the NXN Southeast Pre-Regionals Meet.
Last year's GAXC Nike boys' ROC featured US#1 Loudoun Valley (VA) defending its '17 team title, while Lawton Chiles (FL) dethroned Blacksburg (VA) for the girls' ROC crown.
(photo of Emily Culley leading Chiles to victory at above right, by Cheryl Treworgy)
Loudoun Valley also went on to win its 2nd straight NXN title in December. Individual victories were claimed by Kelsey Chmiel (#2 time in meet history) and Carter Cheeseman.
Meanwhile, the Challenge will continue to be the premier event for HBCU XC programs. In 2018, three-peater Trey Simons led Morehouse to its first men's title here while the N.C. A&T State women also triumphed for the first time.
The Festival also includes collegiate men's and women's open races, which were reinstituted in 2018.
Team USA at #PanAm19: Onsite coverage from Costa Rica
Team USA had a stellar weekend (July 19-21) at the 20th Pan American Under-20 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica -- highlighted by three U20 
World Record relays -- and NSAF athletes were a huge part of it. Forty-eight of the 63 Team USA athletes who earned medals (26 Gold, 15 Silver, 7 Bronze) have NSAF ties either through participation in NBN Championships or Team NSAF programs and events.
#TeamNSAFBahamas18 alum Matthew Boling was named Athlete of the Meet for his 100/200/4x1/4x4 quadruple gold medal performance. NBN indoor 400 champion Justin Robinson and outdoor 400 champion Kayla Davis each captured Pan Am 400 and 4x400 gold medals with the fastest legs (photo of Robinson and Davis, by Joy Kamani, at right). 3-time NBNI pentathlon champ and #TeamNSAFCuba17 alum Anna Hall broke her own heptathlon HSR. Those are just a few of the great storylines!
The NSAF was on-site in San Jose and covered the event with stories, videos and photos. All of the previews, daily reports and final recaps are archived HERE. You can check out meet videos and photos on our social media pages: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.
