New York girls have swept every NTN meet ever held and this year looks like it could happen again. Take a look at the top girls teams on paper and who might have a shot to get to that next level.

Just when you think the track and field season is officially done, guess what...it's not! The USATF National Junior Olympic T&F Championships take place this week, July 22-27, in Omaha, Nebraska. While many of the nation's top seniors have taken their break and now prepare for their collegiate squads, some younger prep athletes take a stab one more time at putting up big marks and improving their personal bests. MileSplit will bring you day-to-day highlights of each final and hopefully news of some new U.S. top ten performances. Top USATF Junior Olympic Highlights - William Wynne (GA) hurdles to victory in YM 400m hurdles in 49.84 - Turquoise Thompson (CA) goes 57.67 in YW 400m hurdles - Booker Nunley (NC) earns win in YM 110m hurdles in 13.41 - Jack Whitt (OK) vaults 17-02.75 to win Young Men's pole vault - Phyllis Francis (NY) runs 2:04.83 800m, new IG record, U.S. #3 - Chalonda Goodman (GA) blazes 23.29 YW 200m, 11.36 100m - Elias Gedyon (CA) wins Intermediate Boys 800m dash in 1:51.91

Nike Team Nationals in 2007 saw the Neuqua Valley High School team from Naperville, Illinois squeeze out a narrow victory at Portland Meadows to bring home their first national cross country championship. A successful season from the opening gun, the squad won every meet they entered, including the Illinois State Championship, NTN Midwest Regional and then the national title. This year the squad will be highly ranked again, but will most certainly have a different feel. MileSplit took some time to talk with Neuqua Valley's coach Paul Vandersteen about this year's expectations, what their summer training is like and much more. (picture above by Robert Mirenzi)

Local Athletes Shine at National Track Meet.

Rising junior Phyllis Francis of Brooklyn's Catherine McAuley won the Intermediate Girls 800 meter run going away in a huge PR of 2:04.83. The mark is US#3 behind only Olympic Trials participants Chanelle Price, PA, and Laura Roesler, ND. The mark also breaks the national youth and Junior Olympic meet record of 2:06.64, set by Price in 2006.

Ryann Krais will leave her Pennsylvania prep career with two outdoor state records, a remarkable 57.20 in the 400 hurdles that broke the previous mark by future teammate, and now world class hurdler Nicole Leach (West Catholic).... and her 41.20 300 hurdles set earlier this summer at the Great Southwest Classic in New Mexico. But Krais also holds two of the top five all-time prep performances in the heptathlon - #2 of 5522, also set at Great Southwest, and #5 of 5457 set at this month's IAAF World Junior Championships in Poland. Those who know Ryann, know she is as gracious in victory as she is when the occasional disappointment strikes. And in true Krais form, she was gracious enough to take time after a whirlwind summer jetting and competing from Albuquerque, NM; to Columbus, OH; to Eugene, OR; to Bydgoszcz, Poland... to share her throughts on her final competitions. Ryann Krais' career stats    

Jason Walton, an 18 year old senior to be at Hillsborough HS was killed Tuesday evening by a freight train. Walton, who as a junior this past spring, captured the NJSIAA State Championship at 800m and won All America honors in post season competition. He was found dead on the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks in Hillsborough shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, police said. Walton ran here at The Armory in the 71st Eastern States Championships as he was 2nd in the 800m run and was on the winning 4x800m relay. He helped his team qualify for the Penn Relays Championship of America when he split 1:51, the best carry of the meet. A junior who ran 1:50.14 this spring, we have lost a great kid and a serious talent. MORE INFO HERE Photo: Jason Walton takes the bell in the 4x800m heats at The Penn Relays.  (photo by www.wingedfootfotos.com) 8/24 - Jason Walton Memorial Run

It's never happened before and it may never happen again, but the 2008 cross country season is shaping up to become one of the most memorable ever. In a rare twist of fate, this year's national meet could host three Foot Locker national champions, as '07 champ Ashley Brasovan, '06 champ Kathy Kroeger and '05 champ Jordan Hasay all come back for their senior seasons, hoping to repeat the magic they've had before in San Diego. All three top our preseason girls top ten, but see who else made the list. (Pictured left by John Herzog: Ashley Brasovan is defending national champion)

With the track and field season coming to an end, and teams across the land getting coming into the heart of their summer cross country training, we take a look forward towards the fall and what lies ahead. To kick-off our 2008-2009 cross country coverage we take a look at the top ten male returnees, which includes a trio of Colorado athletes, all of whom are Foot Locker National returnees as well. While athletes like German Fernandez, Mike Fout, Chris Derrick, Colby Lowe and Luke Puskedra have all moved on, a new class of distance talent is ready to take over and create their own legacy. (Pictured left: Colorado's Bobby Nicolls is the top Foot Locker returnee)

Gatorade National Player of the Year, Chanelle Price, will be honored tonight at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) on ESPN at the annual ESPY Awards. Price, who won the award on Wednesday, joined fellow track and field and cross country Gatorade Players of the Year Chris Derrick, German Fernandez and Ashley Brasovan, in Los Angeles earlier in the week, taking part in a ceremony that named her the top female athlete of the year nationally for all sports. The ESPYs is the most prominent award show for professional athletes, and includes most of the top athletes and sports in the country. Sunday's award show will be hosted by Justin Timberlake. ESPY Award Show, 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) on ESPN

The talented quartet of Chanelle Price (PA), German Fernandez (CA), Ashley Brasovan (FL) and Chris Derrick (IL) flew into Los Angeles Tuesday, taking part in a two day extravaganza that Gatorade puts on once a year. As the male and female winners of the Gatorade track and field and cross country Player of the Year awards, each athlete was put up a five-star hotel, got to mingle with such notable athletes as Matt Leinhart, Greg Oden, Allyson Felix and Candace Parker, and took part in an awards ceremony that preceded the ESPY Awards. The Gatorade Player of the Year program drew to an end, naming the male and female national winners. Read about Brasovan's and Derrick's experience, as the two took time out of their busy schedules to talk with MileSplit.

Welcome to the Maine Mile Split page. I am looking for 4-5 girls/guys to blog about the fall XC season, doesn't matter your ability level as a runner either. If you are interested please contact me at coachv@scarboroughtrack.com for more details.

The Gatorade National Player of the Year program selects an overall male and female winner each year, and on Wednesday Pennsylvania track star Chanelle Price was one of those athletes. Price, who won the national female track and field award last month, was the overall national female winner. Price joins a select group of individuals on the national list, including such notable professional athletes as track phenom Allyson Felix and basketball standout Candace Parker. Individual national athlete of the year winners from track and field and cross country, which were represented by Price, German Fernandez (CA), Chris Derrick (IL) and Ashley Brasovan (FL), were flown out to California Tuesday to take part in an awards ceremony on Wednesday and then invited to watch the ESPY's, where many of the top professional athletes receive awards for their accomplishments throughout the year. Congratulations to Chanelle on such a great honor. Gatorade Player of the Year Press Release Gatorade Player of the Year Website

With all the athletes home safe and sound after competing in the World Junior T&F Championships this past week, we take a look back at the top performances by prep athletes in the competition. While performances were abundant, we single out the top eight, led by none other than new national high school hammer throw record holder Conor McCullough (CA) (pictured right by Joy Kamani of NationalScholastic.org). We break down performances and discuss their significance, as the track and field season nears the finish line. MileSplit Daily Coverage - Day: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 IAAF Official Meet Website NSSF/Joy Kamani Photo Gallery

Sophomore leaps 20-09.75 in LJ, 39-00.25 in TJ more info here  

The final day of the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships came and went Sunday, as Team USA wrapped up a successful week. Two prep athletes stood out amongst the crowd during the final day. Hurdle sensation Booker Nunley (pictured left by Joy Kamani of NationalScholastic.org) showed his strength and speed, capturing a silver medal in the men's 110m hurdles. Meanwhile, Jordan Hasay continued her post-season success by placing fourth in the women's 1,500m. Read what else took place on the final day. Jim Spier Blog (NSSF) / Joy Kamani Photo Gallery (NSSF) Official Website / Day Six Results World Junior Sunday Highlights - Booker Nunley (NC) earns silver in men's 110m hurdles, 13.45 - Jordan Hasay (CA) fourth in women's 1,500m run final, 4:19.02 - Anna Jelmini (CA) earns a ninth place finish in women's discus - Lanie Whittaker (FL) & Erica Alexander (TX) guide 4x4 to victory

Day four had Team USA looking good with numerous medals and some great preliminary results from some of the top high school athletes in the land. Leading the way were Rachel Laurent (LA) and Ryann Krais (PA)(pictured left by Joy Kamani of NationalScholastic.org), both coming up big in their respective competitions. Laurent placed fourth overall in the women's pole vault final, nearly eclipsing 14 feet, soaring over 13-11.25. Meanwhile, Krais finished well on day one of the women's heptathlon, finishing the day in sixth place. Day two takes place Saturday. Jim Spier Blog (NSSF) / Joy Kamani Photo Gallery (NSSF) Official Website World Junior Friday Results - Rachel Laurent (LA) clears 13-11.25 in women's PV, fourth overall - Ryann Krais (PA) finishes with 3345 during day one of competition - Christian Taylor (GA) places eighth in men's TJ final with 51-02.50 - Leslie Brost (SD) finishes eighth in women's PV final with 13-05.50 - Jordan Hasay (CA) qualifies for final in women's 1500m with 4:20.82

 Walter Henning, Conor McCullough place 1-2 in Hammer Walter Henning, the St. Anthony's, NY graduate won the World Junior Champs Gold Medal by besting Armory record holder Conor McCullough.  Henning won with a toss of 252-04 while McCullough was second on 248-11.   Henning dominated the weight throw here at The Armory for years, taking the event to new distances and inspiring The Armory to extend their indoor throwing circle to 95 feet to accommodate him.  McCullough then came to NY the year after Henning graduated and broke his HS National record and Armory record. Photo Joy Kamani for NSSF. MILESPLIT MEET HOMEPAGE

Wow! What a day it was for Team USA on the fifth day of the World Junior T&F Championships. Leading the way on Saturday was Conor McCullough (CA) (pictured right courtesy of Joy Kamani of NationalScholastic.org), earning silver in the men's hammer throw. The California junior threw a best of 248-11.50. McCullough's performance led a total medal count of five on the day for the US squad, including four gold. Other top prep performers were Laurynne Chetelat (CA) in the women's 3k, Ryann Krais (PA) in the women's heptathlon and Booker Nunley (NC) in the men's 110m hurdles. See what else took place on the second to last day. Jim Spier Blog (NSSF) / Joy Kamani Photo Gallery (NSSF) Official Website / Day Five Results World Junior Saturday Performances - Conor McCullough (CA) earns silver in men's hammer throw - Laurynne Chetelat (CA) sixth in women's 3,000m, 9:15.11 - Ryann Krais (PA) ninth in heptathlon with 5457 pts., U.S.#5 all-time - Booker Nunley (NC) wins semi-final 110m hurdle heat in 13.55 - Marquise Goodwin (TX) helps Team USA win men's 4x100m relay

What an exciting day the third day of the IAAF World Junior T&F Championships were. Team USA impressed across the board, including the six preps that took part in Thursday's action. Leading the way on the women's side was Florida junior Lanie Whittaker(pictured right by Joy Kamani of NationalScholastic.org), placing seventh in the women's 400m dash final. On the men's side, California junior Conor McCullough topped his group in the men's hammer throw and heads into the final with the third best mark. Prep stars Shanay Briscoe (TX), Christian Taylor (GA), Vashti Thomas (CA) and Ashton Purvis (CA) also competed. **USATF Summaries: AM / Jim Spier Blog (NSSF) **Joy Kamani Photo Gallery (NSSF) / Official Website World Junior Thursday Highlights - Lanie Whittaker (FL) seventh in women's 400m final, 53.98 - Conor McCullough (CA) throws 238-11 in men's hammer throw prelim - Shanay Briscoe (TX) leaps 5-10 to finish tenth in women's high jump - Christian Taylor (GA) advances in men's triple jump with 51-05 leap

The IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships kicked off Tuesday in Poland and Team USA responded with some solid results. With only two finals taking place on the first day of competition, most of the events were prelims. Leading the prep contingent at Worlds were long jumpers Marquise Goodwin (Rowlett, TX) and Christian Taylor (Sandy Creek, GA), who finished the prelims with the second and third best marks on the day. See who else performed well on day one, as we bring you highlights and results all week long. Day One Results World Junior Day One Highlights - Christian Taylor (GA) leaps 25-0.25 in men's long jump prelim - Marquise Goodwin (TX) soars 24-11.25 in men's long jump prelim - Shanay Briscoe (TX) leaps 5-11.25 in women's high jump prelim - Elijah Greer (OR) advances in men's 800m with 1:50.73 effort

On day two of the IAAF World Junior T&F Championships, Team USA followed the lead of junior Marquise Goodwin (Rowlett, TX) (pictured left by Joy Kamani of NationalScholastic.org), who won the men's long jump with a mark of 25-04.75. Goodwin dominated his competition, setting his top mark of the first attempt of the day. Elsewhere, Leslie Brost (SD) and Rachel Laurent (LA) qualified for the women's pole vault final, while Christian Taylor (GA) placed seventh in the men's long jump in 24-03.75, and Lanie Whittaker (FL) advanced to the women's 400m dash final with a 53.61 performance. **USATF Summaries: AM - PM / Jim Spier Blog (NSSF) **Joy Kamani Photo Gallery (NSSF) / Official Website World Junior Day Two Highlights - Marquise Goodwin (TX) wins men's long jump final in 25-04.75 - Christian Taylor (GA) places seventh in men's LJ final in 24-03.75 - Rachel Laurent (LA) & Leslie Brost (SD) qualify for women's PV final - Lanie Whittaker (FL) earns spot in women's 400m final in 53.61 - Donn Cabral (CT) runs 30:47.55 in men's 10,000m final, finished 17th

Lagat, Manzano and NY’s Lomong represent US By Christopher Hunt EUGENE, Ore. – People come to America every day to achieve a dream, a job, a white picket fence or a family or salvation. America, for nothing else, is supposed to be a country where anything can happen. FULL STORY HERE

Hunt's Stories America: A Place for Everybody Oliver wins 110HH, Dix claims 200 Stuczynksi sets AR after scare LI's Fam wins steeple Gay up, out of 200 Hasay breaks NR, makes final Tully's Lomong advances to final Wharton’s: Track Mechanics Willard sets AR, Fam advances Hastings 5th in 400 Fulton's Blog SAT: Distance Night at Hayward FRI: The Eugene experience TH: A Run and Pre's Rock WED: Arriving in Track Town TUE: It's all about the journey Pfeifer's Articles Tyson Gay runs wind-aided 9.68 Hastings advances to 400 final Muna Lee shocker: She wins 100 Trials open in Oregon Trials Saturday HS Coverage

By Christopher Hunt EUGENE, Ore. – Tyson Gay pulled up about 40 meters into the 200-meter semifinals and crashed to the track, holding his left leg. He was carted off in a wheelchair and is out of the 200 for the Beijing, Olympics. At first, it appeared that Gay had pulled his hamstring but his agent Mark Wetmore said Gay suffered a severe cramp in his left hamstring and that there was no other apparent damage. He will likely undergo an MRI as a precaution. READ MORE HERE

Does it his way, like everything else By Christopher Hunt EUGENE, Ore. – Anthony Famiglietti raced from the front from the gun. He darted into the stands after he won and high-fived a bunch of random fans that enjoyed watching him win as much as he enjoyed winning. FULL STORY HERE

Wow! The final day of the U.S. Olympic Trials is in the books. What an experience this has been. From the magic of Laura Roesler, to the national record of Jeff Demps, to the toughness and talent of Jordan Hasay, this 2008 edition of the Trials has been one to remember. On Sunday the lone high school athlete competing was Jordan Hasay (pictured right by Tim Fulton) in the women's 1500m final. Hasay finished an amazing tenth in 4:17.36! Full story inside. Results (USATF)

Jones earns respect in hurdles By Christopher Hunt photo by photorun.net EUGENE, Ore. – Jenn Stucynski kept saying before the Olympic Trials that she would treat the competition like any other meet. That was until she missed twice on her opening height in the pole vault.  FULL STORY HERE

Athletes visit Wharton house to keep healthy at Trials By Christopher Hunt photo by Tim Fulton EUGENE, Ore. – Jim Wharton spoke just above a whisper. He has a deep voice, which is only thing that made his voice audible in a dimly lit living room. FULL STORY HERE Phil Warton pictured with sprinter Lisa Barber  

With the last of the high school athletes finishing up competition Friday evening at Hayward Field, California's Christine Babcock and Jordan Hasay (pictured left by Tim Fulton) showed why they're two of the best, both finishing their Trials experience on very high notes. In heat two of the women's 1500m run, Babcock took the lead early, but started falling back at 400 meters. At 800 meters Hasay and Babcock pulled even, but Hasay had the momentum and went with the pack. With 400 meters to go the crowd really got behind Hasay and she shot off the final turn finishing fifth overall in a new national record time of 4:14.50. Babcock finished ninth in 4:20.00. With the end of prep competition at the Olympic Trials finally upon us, the focus now shifts to Poland and the U.S. World Junior squad. USATF Results Top Friday Highlights - Jordan Hasay (CA) makes 1500m final, sets national record in 4:14.50 - Christine Babcock (CA) runs 4:20.00 in the women's 1500m semi-final

Webb and Lagat get through By Christopher Hunt photo by Tim Fulton EUGENE, Ore. – Lopez Lomong doesn’t care what the pace will be in the final. He just knows he’ll be in it. “If it goes out slow, fine, he said. “If it goes out fast, fine. If it goes out medium, that’s okay too.” FULL STORY HERE  

Goucher outkicks Flanagan in 5K By Christopher Hunt photo by Tim Fulton EUGENE, Ore. – The crowd grew louder with every surge is made, and heaven knows, it can get loud at Hayward Field. But with more Jordan Hasay picked up speed the more the fans went nuts. FULL STORY HERE

Merritt tops Wariner in mens final By Christopher Hunt EUGENE, Ore. – Natasha Hastings just couldn’t hold on. She was right there coming off the curve, in position to make her first Olympic team until the wheels came off. “Up until 300 (meters) things were going well,” Hastings said. “I don't know. The last couple of weeks I’ve been having trouble coming home.” FULL STORY HERE photo by Tim Fulton

Results: USATF website. Click the headline for the story.

It was a long time coming, but The Long Green Line finally premiered at the U.S. Olympic Trials Thursday evening in front of a crowd of over 200 people. In 2005, the young men apart of the legendary York High School cross country team were followed throughout the season, as the cameras captured the highs and lows of the season and the high emotions that a cross country team goes through from August until early December. Losing two of their top stars in the back half of the season, having to play with top seven line-ups numerous times and living up to the fatherly embrace coach Joe Newton shows all his athletes made this film one that every high school athlete should watch during their summer training. Overall this film receives a 4.5/5 stars. Read inside for more movie recap and check out The Long Green Line website here.

I joined my buddy Bart Sessa, the Syosset, NY coach and one of the directors of The Running School, to meet some friends at a local spot about a quarter mile from Hayward Field. We met up with Steve Josepher and Jerry Farrell, both of who coach at East Meadow, NY. FULL ARTICLE HERE - UPDATED 5:00PM THURSDAY - READ THE REST OF TIM FULTON'S BLOG HERE

On Thursday the U.S. Olympic Trials started up again with much fanfare. During the evening three prep athletes competed against the nation's best, all holding their own. In the women's 1500m, Christine Babcock (CA) placed seventh overall in heat one after leading the opening portion of the race, finishing in 4:18.32, while Jordan Hasay (CA) (pictured left by Tim Fulton) finished seventh in heat two, leading the first 1100m to finish in 4:18.39. Both Babcock and Hasay advanced to tomorrow's semi-finals, although Hasay can't compete due to traveling to World Juniors to compete in the 1500m in Poland. Ohio high jumper Erik Kynard cleared the opening height of 2.15m, but couldn't manage to clear 2.20 in the men's high jump. Thursday Top Highlights - Christine Babcock (CA) advances in women's 1500m, 4:18.32 - Jordan Hasay (CA) finishes seventh in 1500m heat, 4:18.39 - Erik Kynard (OH) leaps 2.15m (7-00.50) in men's high jump

Hey, uh huh, our team is mellow, so shake that funky green and shake that funky yellow. University of Oregon cheer in the 1970s UO Duck and Oregon Track Club athletes get it together in an improbable 1-2-3 in the US Olympic Trials men's 800.

Four days left. That's all that remains of the 2008 Olympic Trials. With half the events finished and in the book, another round of competition revs up Thursday, including the women's 1500m and men's high jump, which will see high school athletes take part. Catch all the action that NBC and USA are providing from Thursday through Sunday: Olympic Trials TV Schedule (All times Eastern) Friday, July 4: 11:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. USA Network Saturday, July 5: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. NBC Sunday: July 6: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. NBC

With a stellar season already behind her, California's Christine Babcock is ready to race one last time. The University of Washington-bound senior closes out her prep career this week, taking part in the women's 1500m run at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Babcock's had a season to remember after earning a national record for the 1500m distance and looks to make one last statement before heading off to college. Read about Babcock's expectations for the Trials, what she's done in her training over the past few weeks and what she plans to do with the rest of her summer.