Track & Field and Cross-Country Bulletin for Nov 27, 2019

by Steve Underwood


Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and supporters

As this holiday season begins, the NSAF would like to wish a happy Thanksgiving to all of you in our extended athletics family -- athletes, coaches, families and friends -- not just around the nation, but worldwide.

Our mission at the NSAF is “opening doors to the world for our youth, through athletics, and providing them opportunities to succeed.” We’ve been grateful for the opportunity to do so for so many of you -- whether it’s our national championships in New York and North Carolina, our Team NSAF events in Cuba and Iceland, or our clinics, cross-country meets and other events.

2019 has brought to all of our lives challenges, both old and new, some divisive and devastating. But we take heart in the qualities we see in our youth in these wonderful sports of track and field and cross-country, and how your leadership and team-building abilities give us hope for the future. We look forward to continuing to grow with our great community as the calendar speeds toward 2020!

 


NSAF Project athletes enjoy outstanding fall clinics

Elites teach, javelins fly in Hoover, AL

When NSAF Project Javelin Gold coach Tom Pukstys and his family relocated to Pelham, Ala., it didn’t take long for his javelin community-building inclinations to take root as they had in Chicagoland. Thanks to his new coaching gig at nearby Hoover HS – under 2014 Michael Byrnes Coach of the Year Devon Hind – the school became a great venue for our Nov. 14-17 fall javelin clinic. Our Project program kids, plus nearly 50 registered throwers were on hand to work with Pukstys, NSAF staff Barry Krammes and Kim Hamilton, Team USA elites Kara Winger, Ariana Ince and Michael Shuey, and Pukstys’ new elite training group – USA Javelin Project.

For our Project Javelin winter clinic, Feb. 13-16, 2020, we’ll head back to Baton Rouge and the fine facilities at LSU, where we’ve trained on several occasions. Our partner on the ground, Coach Robert Woosley, will again be working with us to ensure a great weekend of training.

Project Javelin Clinic interviews and clinic videos: Facebook | Youtube (more being added)


Orji, Harrison inspire triple jumpers in Conyers, GA

It’s hard to imagine a better special guest speaker choice for an NSAF Project Triple Jump clinic than Keturah Orji. As the eight Project athletes and numerous jumpers and coaches from around the country gathered at the Heritage HS media center in Conyers Nov. 14, they were introduced to a 2016 Rio Olympic finalist who is not only an 8-time NCAA champ and 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year, but also a graduate of this very Project from 2014.

Thanks to our gracious hosts and their facilities, we trained through a day of inclement weather and enjoyed final sessions outdoors with our coaching staff of Olympic Gold Medalist Kenny Harrison – making a homecoming to the city where he set the triple jump Games record in 1996 – as well as Project head coach Peter Pratt and Coordinator Macka Jones. It was our largest and most diverse group ever!

Project Triple Jump Clinic interviews and clinic videos: Facebook | Youtube (more being added)

Next up is our winter clinic in Havana, Cuba, set for January 16-20, 2020! The triple jumpers and coaches from this nation are among the best in the world and our first clinic there this past January was one we’ll never forget. Cuba is more accessible than ever for those who wish to travel there for athletic events. The clinic is open to all athletes and coaches and you can register for that clinic HERE and see the details on THIS PAGE.

 

Road to 2020 #NBNationals Indoor has begun

Winter is approaching, gyms and arenas are opening their doors, and thousands of prep athletes are taking their first steps on indoor tracks of all sizes and surfaces this month. That means it’s also time to start planning for the climactic event of the new season, the New Balance Nationals Indoor, set for March 13-15, 2020 at The Armory in New York.  It’s our 22nd indoor nationals since the NSAF started its own meet in 1999 and the 10th with our partners from New Balance.

Would you like to join more than 3,500 of the country's best track and field student-athletes from 40+ states and Canadian provinces, all of you running, hurdling, jumping, throwing and walking your way to titles and All-American honors in 48 boys' and girls' Championship events -- plus 40 more Emerging Elite and Freshman events?

Register HERE | NBNI Home Page | NBNI Entry Guidelines | 2019 Results

New for 2020, is the 4x100m relay held on Saturday, March 14! Also, don't forget we added the Mixed 4x400m Relay back in 2018 and are offering it again in 2020. 


Selection process under way for 2020 Hall of Fame induction

The National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame was launched by the NSAF in 2017 and, through our 2018 and 2019 inductions, we have now welcomed 47 legendary athletes, coaches and contributors into its ranks – ranging from historic icons like Jesse Owens and Betty Robinson to modern superstars Allyson Felix and Alan Webb.

We are now in the selection process for our 2020 Class, which will be inducted during NBNI weekend. Stay tuned for the announcement in December!  Hall of Fame Home Page

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