28-strong Team NSAF announced for Caribbean Scholastic Invitational in Cuba

by Steve Underwood


The NSAF has announced its 28-member team of student-athletes (16 girls, 12 boys) who will represent Team NSAF in the 2016 Caribbean Scholastic Invitational, set for May 27-28.  It is the 10th such event the NSAF has held and the 2nd in Havana, Cuba, following last year’s historic debut.

The team’s 28 athletes represent 12 states, including Alabama (3), Arizona, Delaware, Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (2), Iowa, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina (4), South Carolina (2), Texas (6) and the District of Columbia.  There are two high schools represented by multiple athletes: George Ranch HS in Texas (Champion Allison and Jayson Baldridge) and Miami Southridge in Florida (Symone Mason and Kayla Johnson).  The team is comprised of four seniors, 20 juniors, one sophomore and one freshman.  One athlete, Symone Mason, has previous Team USA experience (2015 World Youth Champs).  Eleven have earned NBN All-American honors previously, indoors or out.

You can also view the squad as a simple list (scroll down) and on a PDF photo sheet.

For more information about the 2016 Caribbean Scholastic Invitational, please go HERE.

 

GIRLS

DAIJA LAMPKIN

100m/200m – PRs: 12.04, 24.25/24.20i (’16)
Middletown HS (DE), Junior
’16 NBNI: 6th 60m 7.48 (7.46 PR prelim)
Notes: Huge highlight this past indoor season was winning Millrose 55 dash in PR 6.91 … also won Marine Corps 55 … won 55, 200 and 400 at indoor state (DIAA) meet … last spring won 200 in both DIAA state meet and DIAA Meet of Champions, plus 1st state/2nd MOC in 100, 2nd state in 400.


TAMARA CLARK

100m/200m – PRs: 11.83/11.55w, 23.98/23.69w (’16)
High Point Central HS (NC), Junior
’16 NBNI: 15th 60m prelims 7.57, 10th 200m prelims 24.24 … Also 5th ’15 NBNO 200m 24.10
Notes: Followed NBNO success (5th 200) last summer by winning AAU JO (15-16 div.) 100 and taking 2nd in 200 … earlier in spring, won 200 and 2nd in 100 at 4A state … this past winter, won 4A state 55 (PR 7.04) and 300 (39.23).

 

SYMONE MASON

400m – PR: 52.80 (’15)
Miami Southridge HS (FL), Junior
’16 NBNI: None … 2nd in’15 NBNO 400m 53.07
Notes: Only Team NSAF member with int’l experience, was 8th in ’15 World Youth 400m and won Mixed Relay gold … won WY Trials 400m with her PR of 52.80, plus 5th in 200 … current US#5 in 400 at 53.52 (won Louie Bing) … 200 PR of 23.37 came from 2nd at ’15 Golden South … 4th in 100, 3rd 200 at ’15 4A state … anchored runner-up Swedish Medley at ’15 NBNO … racked up several AAU JO sprint national titles in 2013-14.


KAYLA JOHNSON

400m – PR: 53.85 (’16)
Miami Southridge HS (FL), Junior
’16 NBNI: None
Notes: Mason’s Southridge teammate has exploded this year, starting with 55.03 400 indoor PR at TX A&M (2nd) and continuing with early US#1 2:09.60 800 PR in Feb. … still unbeaten over 2-laps after winning region … had big outdoor 400 PR of 53.85 in early March, and combined with Mason on 3:47.85 4x400 … 5th in 4A state 400 last year.


JOY RIPSLINGER

800m/1500m – PRs: 2:09.88, 4:39.53 (’16)
Assumption HS (IA), Junior
’16 NBNI: 7th 800m 2:11.82 (won 1st section) … 10th ’15 NBNO 800 2:09.88
Notes: Just last weekend captured Drake Relays 800 title in 2:14.07 (2:10.82 outdoor best in ’16 so far) and anchored winning 4x8 (9:20.49); also 2nd 4x400 3rd 800 SMR … at NBNI, also ran on 7th-place SMR (won 1st heat) and 4th-place EE 4x400 … at ’15 3A state won 800, 2nd 1500, 2nd 3k (PR 10:10.71), 3rd 400 (PR 57.63).

 

CAITLYN LITTLE

100m Hurdles – PR: 13.74 (’16)
Hoover HS (AL), Junior
’16 NBNI: 14th 60h SF 8.67 … 9th ’15 NBNO 100H qf 13.94
Notes:  A key part of Hoover NBNI ’14 and ’16 4x55m shuttle hurdle champs … big 13.74 100H PR came while taking 3rd at Mt. SAC 3 weeks ago … 2nd 60H, 6th 60 dash (2nd in ’15) at 7A indoor state … last spring won 100 dash (11.97 PR) at outdoor state, 2nd 100H … at ’15 NBNO, also 2nd 4x100H SHR, 7th 1600m SMR.


MILAN YOUNG

100m Hurdles – PRs: 14.01/13.83nwi (’16)
Houston Lamar HS (TX), Junior
’16 NBNI: 13th 60h SF 8.66
Notes:  Coming off a huge Region 3-6A meet w/PR victories of 13.83 and 41.98 300H, plus a 11.73 100 dash triumph (11.63 PR in prelims) … had missed post-season in ’15 due to injury after qualifying in ’14 as a freshman … 60H time at NBNI was just .01 off PR from Carl Lewis Inv (2-time champ) … daughter of Michael Young, star on U. of Houston’s “Phi Slama Jama” Final Four teams in 80s.


TIMETRIA MITCHELL

400m Hurdles – PR: 1:00.98 (’15)
Miami Northwestern HS (FL), Senior
’16 NBNI: None … ’15 NBNO: 5th Swed. Med Relay, 19th 400H, 12th 100H pre (7th ’14)
Notes:  One of 2 senior girls on Team NSAF, key leader for Miami NW over great career … has won 3 total 100H (13.59 PR) and 300H (41.68 PR) 3A state titles and hopes to defend both this weekend … also big part of MNW’s star relays (US#6 3:43.19 4x4, #2 1:35.65 4x2, #4 45.65 4x1) … 4th at WY Trials 400H last summer.


KENYA LIVINGSTON

High Jump – PR: 5-10 (’16)
Rock River HS (NC), Sophomore
’16 NBNI: 16th HJ 5-5.25 (1st ’15 EE HJ) … 9th ’15 NBNO HJ
Notes: Unbeaten outdoors, including Taco Bell Classic … unbeaten indoors before NBNI, incl. 4A title (5-8 indoor PR) and Va. Tech … 2nd at 4A state as frosh last May … ’15 NBNI EE win set meet record at 5-7.25 … versatile athlete also sprints, hurdles and long/triple jumps for Rocky River.


KAYLOR HARRIS

Long Jump – PRs: 19-5.25/19-10nwi (’16)
Mesquite Horn HS (TX), Junior
’16 NBNI: None
Notes:  While she has recently become best known for her sprinting, Harris is nearly as accomplished in the LJ … leapt her 19-5.25 PR for 5th in the ultra-competitive TX Relays LJ … has six meets of 19-feet-plus … is unbeaten at 100, with bests of 11.58/11.36w, and favored to win 6A state (while just missing state LJ).


ARIELLE MACK

Triple Jump – PRs: 40-1.25 (’16)/40-6nwi (’15)
El Paso Burges HS (TX), Junior
’16 NBNI: None … 24th ’15 NBNO TJ (8th in LJ)
Notes:  Completing 3rd year in NSAF’s Project Triple Jump … had big breakthrough in ’15 to go from mid-36s to 40-6 in TJ, winning Region 1-5A, then 2nd at 5A state … also 6th at Great SW and WY Trials … this year got her wind-legal PR for 2nd at Chandler Rotary, then 4th in TX Relays and defended 1-5A title … has become consistent in 18s for LJ, with 18-8.5 PR.


JAIMIE ROBINSON

Triple Jump – PRs: 40-7.5 (’15)/41-3.5i (’16)
Homewood-Flossmoor HS (IL), Junior
’16 NBNI: 4th TJ 40-2.75 … ’15 NBNO 1st EE TJ
Notes:  Surged beyond 40 ft. last spring/summer with triumphs at 2A state, NBNO EE and USATF JOs (15-16), plus a 3rd at WY Trials … kept progressing indoors with 4 meets over 40, including NBNI 4th and IL Top Times victory for her overall PR … fairly consistent in 18s for LJ with 18-9.25i best … trained with Project TJ at IMG last fall … daughter of retired NCAA and NBA star Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson.


KATHLEEN YOUNG

Shot Put/Discus – PRs: 51-11.5 SP/154-2 DT(’16)
Warrensburg-Latham HS (IL), Junior
’16 NBNI: 5th SP 49-2.25 (4th in ’15) … ’15 NBNO 6th SP 46-10
Notes:  With both of her PRs in the past week-plus, Young is pushing to a new level … since hitting 48s in shot in Feb. ’15, has become consistent All-American level performer … now has 6 state 1A titles in/out, SP/DT … besides NBN finishes, was 2nd in ’15 Great SW SP and DT, won USATF JOs (15-16) and 7th in WY Trials.


KHAYLA DAWSON

Shot Put/Discus – PRs: 48-7 SP/146-5 DT (’16)
Olympic HS (NC), Senior
’16 NBNI:  6th SP 47-11.25 … ’15 NBNO 4th SP 47-2
Notes:  Like Young, Dawson is almost unbeatable in her home state, has 3 NBN All-American finishes in the shot, and has recent PRs in both the discus and shot … her Taco Bell double included the new DT best, while the SP came in a smaller meet … joins hurdler Mitchell as the only two senior girls … has 3 state 4A shot titles, in and out.


SYDNEE WALKER

Hammer – PR: 159-3
Kings Ridge Christian HS (GA), Junior
Notes:  A rising star on Coach Mike Judge’s Throw 1 Deep crew, Walker two weeks ago raised her hammer PR to 159-3 … in ’15 had a 157-1 best -- achieved in capturing the USATF JO (15-16) title -- plus 174-6 with the lighter Youth hammer … indoors she reached 54-2 with the weight to win the NBNI EE division, then was 7th in the championship final at 54-1 … also has a 41-2.5 shot put PR.


MEGHAN OWENS

Javelin – PR: 155-1
Mercer Co. HS (KY), Freshman
’15 NBNO: 1st EE Javelin 136-4
Notes:  Owens’ first year with the NSAF’s Project Javelin Gold has yielded tremendous results, including recent PRs of 150-11 and 155-1 (top freshman in U.S.) … has beaten all collegians and lost only to NSAF teammate and US#1 Sophia Rivera … powerful finish to ’15 as 8th-grader included USATF and AAU Junior Olympic titles (13-14 age-group) and 144-0 best.


BOYS

ERIC HARRISON

100m/200m – PRs: 10.65nwi/10.82, 21.58i(21.44os)/21.81/21.62nwi
St. John’s College HS (DC), Junior
’16 NBNI: 5th 60m pre 6.88/27th semis
Notes:  Really arrived on national stage during indoors, with bests of 6.28 55m, 6.81 60m (Kentucky Inv. victory) and 21.58 200 (21.44 oversize), ranking in US top 5/10 most of year and placing well in multiple major meets … finished soph year well in ’15 with placings and near-PRs in both AAU JO finals (15-16) … getting into heart of outdoor now after Penn.


DARRELL SINGLETON

100m/200m – PRs: 10.48, 21.43/21.38nwi (’16)
West Ashley HS (SC), Senior
’16 NBNI: None
Notes:  Singleton and Marcus Krah are boys’ team’s only seniors … 10.48 victory at Taco Bell established him nationally, then completed a fine meet with 21.43 200 (3rd) … 2nd 100, 3rd 200 at 4A state in ’15; hoping for double win this time … is unbeaten in 100 finals vs. South Carolina competition this spring; just one loss in 200.


CHAMPION ALLISON

400m – PRs: 46.83/47.31i
George Ranch HS (TX), Junior
’16 NBNI: None
Notes:  Didn’t compete in UIL season as soph in ’15, but revealed talent with 47.61 in summer AAU meets … started fast this winter with 47.31 at TX A&M behind Keshun Reed, and has been unbeaten outdoors in 400 with 46.83 PR at Region 3-5A … has also run 10.75, 21.05 in 100/200 … key for big George Ranch relay marks of 40.78, 1:24.88 and 3:15.18.


RYNE BEVAN

800m – PRs: 1:52.95 800
North Paulding HS (GA), Junior
’16 NBNI: 17th 800 1:55.35
Notes:  Bevan broke through in ’15 as a soph with 4-sec. PR 1:54.09 at Region 4-AAAAAA, then was 4th at 5A state … had solid 3rd’s at Vandy and Kentucky Invite indoors … has only lost once outdoors, at Taco Bell, and lowered PR to 1:52.95 in defending Region 4-AAAAAA title … also won region 400 title and has 48.63 speed.


TREY CUNNINGHAM

110m Hurdles – PRs 13.35nwi/13.91
Winfield City HS (AL), Junior
’16 NBNI: 4th 60H 7.71
Notes: Really emerged as one of state’s best all-around athletes in winter ’15, then injury slowed him outdoors … caught national eye with US-leading 60H marks in Dec., then won 4 events at indoor state and blasted PR 7.71 for 4th at NBNI … unbeaten outdoors in 110H save for close 3rd in torrid Mobile Challenge … also 23-4 LJ indoors and 21.80 200, 39.34 300h this spring.


MARCUS KRAH

110m Hurdles – PRs 13.61nwi (’16), 13.84 (’15)
Hillside HS (NC), Senior
’16 NBNI: 3rd 60H 7.69, 11th LJ 23-2.5
Notes:  Krah and Singleton are the boys’ team’s only seniors … blazing 3rd in NBNI 60H is best national finish yet … had 13.84 legal 110H PR last year (2nd 4A state); hit 13.85 in Taco Bell prelim (14.02 final win), but has 13.61nwi best during unbeaten spring … has 23-6 LJ and 48-0 TJ PRs, with resume’ that includes stunning 23-1 state 4A outdoor title as frosh in ’13.


JAYSON BALDRIDGE

400m Hurdles – PR: 36.60 (300H)
George Ranch HS (TX), Junior
’16 NBNI: None
Notes:  After a decent ’14 as a frosh and then missing ’15, Baldridge has been a big revelation this spring, starting in 38s in 300H, then suddenly getting into 37s and 36s … super 36.60 runner-up finish at Texas Relays behind Norman Grimes confirmed talent … has also been key with teammate Allison on fast relays (40.78, 1:24.88, 3:15.18).


JALEN SEALS

Long Jump/Triple Jump – PRs: 24-6.25i/24-0.5nwi LJ, 49-6.5nwi/48-0.5i TJ (’16)
Fort Worth Boswell HS (TX), Junior
’16 NBNI: 3rd LJ 24-4.25, 9th TJ 47-6.25
Notes: After a year with Project Triple Jump, Seals transformed during winter to one of nation’s best … Great SW Indoor double was a key, as he PR’d in LJ by a foot (24-6.25) and went over 48 TJ for 1st time … after NBNI, he was 2nd in TJ, 3rd LJ at Texas Relays … swept both jumps at Region 1-5A meet with state meet next.


NOAH IGBINOGHENE

Long Jump, Triple Jump – PRs 24-8.5nwi/24-7.5i LJ, 49-7i TJ (’16)
Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL), Junior
’16 NBNI: 1st TJ 49-7, 5th LJ 24-1
Notes:  Igbinoghene backed up his unbeaten indoor campaign in ‘Bama with clutch NBNI PR victory in TJ and has had continued success outdoors … is again unbeaten headed into this weekend’s state meet … in LJ, has improved PR from 24-7.5 to 24-8.5 and also beaten all comers so far … should also contend for podium honors at state in 100m.


TURNER WASHINGTON

Discus – PR: 202-0
Canyon del Oro HS (AZ), Junior
’16 NBNI: None
Notes:  Washington was unbeaten in AZ last year as a soph, winning D2 state title … in ’16, he has added 20 feet, throwing consistently in low 200s … won prestigious Chandler Rotary title in March, then improved PR to 202-0, which led the nation for a few weeks … recently set new shot PR at 57-6.25.


MICHAEL FELDMAN

Hammer – PR: 223-1
Tottenville HS (NY), Junior
’16 NBNI: 19th WT 61-4.25 … ’15 NBNO 16th HT 167-3
Notes:  Although he didn’t throw well at NBNO, Feldman was top soph in HT last year at 213-4 (US#9 overall) and 3rd at WY Trials … after modest season this past winter in weight, has started spring off strong with 223-1 PR and ranks only behind WY finalist Bobby Colantonio on U.S. list.


LIAM CHRISTIANSEN

Javelin – PR: 219-2
Academic Magnet HS (SC), Junior
’16 NBNI: None … ’15 NBNO 5th JT 192-0
Notes: The NSAF “discovered” Christensen during his WY Trials jav win last summer and invited him to join Project Jav … he nearly made WY final with 238-2 heave in prelims (lighter Youth jav), then finished ’15 with 2nd’s at USATF JOs and JavFest … launched his ’16 campaign with a bang, winning Penn Relays with PR US#2 219-2.

 

Simple Lists

Team NSAF GIRLS

DAIJA LAMPKIN, 2017, Middletown HS (DE), 100m/200m
TAMARA CLARK, 2017, High Point Central HS (NC), 100m/200m
SYMONE MASON, 2017, Miami Southridge HS (FL), 400m
KAYLA JOHNSON, 2017 Miami Southridge HS (FL), 400m
JOY RIPSLINGER, 2017, Assumption HS (IA), 800m/1500m
CAITLYN LITTLE, 2017, Hoover HS (AL), 100m Hurdles
MILAN YOUNG, 2017, Houston Lamar HS (TX), 100m Hurdles
TIMETRIA MITCHELL, 2016, Miami Northwestern HS (FL), 400m Hurdles
KENYA LIVINGSTON, 2018, Rock River HS (NC), High Jump
KAYLOR HARRIS, 2017, Mesquite Horn HS (TX), Long Jump
ARIELLE MACK, 2017, El Paso Burges HS (TX), Triple Jump
JAIMIE ROBINSON, 2017, Homewood-Flossmoor HS (IL), Triple Jump
KATHLEEN YOUNG, 2017, Warrensburg-Latham HS (IL), Shot Put/Discus
KHAYLA DAWSON, 2016, Olympic HS (NC), Shot Put/Discus
SYDNEE WALKER, 2017, Kings Ridge Christian HS (GA), Hammer
MEGHAN OWENS, 2019, Mercer Co. HS (KY), Javelin

Team NSAF BOYS

ERIC HARRISON, 2017, St. John’s College HS (DC), 100m/200m
DARRELL SINGLETON, 2016, West Ashley HS (SC), 100m/200m
CHAMPION ALLISON, 2017, George Ranch HS (TX), 400m
RYNE BEVAN, 2017, North Paulding HS (GA), 800m
TREY CUNNINGHAM, 2017, Winfield City HS (AL), 110m Hurdles
MARCUS KRAH, 2016, Hillside HS (NC), 110m Hurdles
JAYSON BALDRIDGE, 2017, George Ranch HS (TX), 400m Hurdles
JALEN SEALS, 2017, Fort Worth Boswell HS (TX), Long Jump/Triple Jump
NOAH IGBINOGHENE, 2017, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL), Long Jump, Triple Jump
TURNER WASHINGTON, 2017, Canyon del Oro HS (AZ), Discus
MICHAEL FELDMAN, 2017, Tottenville HS (NY), Hammer
LIAM CHRISTIANSEN, 2017, Academic Magnet HS (SC), Javelin


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