Extended-season congratulations are in order for the following team members who represented Track Houston at the AAU Primary National Championship. The event was held in Orlando, FL from July 8 through July 10, 2011.

In a highly rewarding end to his inaugural season, Jalen Davis, age 6, represented the Pee-Wee Boys running a 9.54 in the Multi-Event to secure a Gold Medal for the team in the 55 meters. He went on to leap 6-08.50 in the Long Jump and threw 7-02.25 in the Shot Put, for a total of 994 points. Davis proceeded to toss a 10-3 in the Shot Put and ran a 35.26 in the 200 meters which earned him two Silver Medals. Finally, his 16.96 in the 100 meters earned him a 5th place medal.

Kudos to Mitchell Mosby, age 7, who represented the Sub-Primary Boys by running the 100 meter dash in 16.79 to earn a 7th place medal. Mosby also ran the 400 meter Dash with a time of 1:33.13 and the 200 meter Dash with a time of 36.42 placing 15th overall for both events.

Cameron Chretien, age 8, vigorously represented the Primary Boys by running an outstanding 40 meter Hurdles to take the Bronze Medal in 9.17. Chretien jumped a 10-8.50 to secure 6th place in the finals. He also participated in the 100 meter Dash with a time of 16.19, placing 20th overall. For the Triathlon, Chretien ran an outstanding 34.24 in the 200 meters, jumped 9-5.75 in the long jump and tossed a 15-01.50 in the Shot Put for a total of 599 points. Chretien placed 11th overall.

Jadin Cooper, age 8, was not to be outdone. Also representing the Primary Boys, Cooper ran an 8.82 in the 40 meter Hurdles to score a Silver Medal. His rewarding efforts in the Triathlon consisted of a 35.06 in the 200 meter Dash, an outstanding 9-11.25 leap in the Long Jump and an equally-outstanding 20-01.00 throw in the Shot Put for a total of 872 which earned him an 8th place medal. Cooper’s 11-02.50 jump earned a 4th place medal overall in the long jump and a toss of 17-2.50 put Cooper in 11th place overall in the open Shot Put.

Let’s continue to encourage all of our fierce competitors. They had a great season. Appreciation is also due to the dedicated parents who are an integral part of Track Houston. Way to go Track Houston!!!!!!!

Congratulations to the Track Houston Youth Girls division for qualifying 5 athletes out of the top 6 positions in the 100 and 200 meter dash at the USATF Gulf Association Championships. Their dominance didn’t stop there. These girls won every running event in their division including additional places from 2nd to 6th. The top 6 places in each event from this meet will advance to the USATF Region 12 meet (Texas state meet) in Arlington, Texas on July 6-9.

The Youth Girls also set a new USATF Gulf Association record in the 4×100 meter relay with a time of 47.82 and another one was set by Sydney Gandy in the 1500 meter run with a strong finish in 5:06.01.

The Youth Girls coaches Veronica Daniels and Marcus Davis are very proud of the accomplishments of their girls as well as the Track Houston family and look forward to similar accomplishments at the national level later in July.

Track Houston Youth Girls 100 Meter results:

1st – Taylor Bennett

2nd – Amber Ivy

3rd – Samiyah Samuels

4th – Haley Cossey

6th – Jaslyn Perrodin

Track Houston Youth Girls 200 Meter results:

1st – Taylor Bennett

2nd – Amber Ivy

3rd – Charity Thomas

4th – Morgan Davis

6th – Haley Cossey

Other Track Houston Youth Girls results:

1st, 4th & 5th – 400M Dash

1st, 4th & 6th – 800M Run

1st & 2nd – 1500M Run

1st & 2nd – 3000M Run

1st, 3rd & 6th – 100M Hurdles

1st & 4th – 200M Hurdles

1st & 2nd – 4x100M Relay

1st, 2nd & 4th – 4x400M Relay

1st – 4x800M Relay

1st & 2nd – Long Jump

This year’s USATF National Junior Olympic held in Sacramento California highlighted over 150 Track Houston athletes accompanied by more than 120 Track Houston coaches, staff members, and parents. Our Vice President and Travel Coordinator Brenda Foster did an excellent job coordinating flight plans, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation.

With their travel arrangements taken care of, coaches and athletes could concentrate more on preparing for the level of competition expected at the Junior Olympic and with strong support, this year our athletes amassed a total of 146 medals which included 8 first place awards.

One of our elite athletes Kendall Sheffield won gold in the 100 meter hurdles and was less than two-tenths of a second off the National record in winning the 200 meter hurdles. Kendall is also recognized as the top hurdler in the country in the Youth Boys division ranked No. 1 in the 200m hurdles and No. 2 in the 100m hurdles. He won his third gold medal as part of the Youth Boys 4×400 meter relay team.

The Youth Boys had a spectacular meet earning a record 26 medals for their age division and has the nation’s top 4×400 meter relay team. The Youth Boys had a second 4x400m relay team to medal 4th and had two 4x800m relay teams to medal in the finals.

The Intermediate Girls won gold in the 4×100 meter relay and retained their No. 1 ranking in the country.

The Intermediate Boys 4×800 meter relay race came down to the finish, with Track Houston 8:01.06 beating Glenarden 8:01.29 by just two-tenths of a second in the final few meters. The 4×400 meter relay race lead went back and forward between Track Houston and other teams but it was Track Houston that pulled away with 100 meters left to win first place.

Zarriea Willis, Taylor Bennett, Farrin Davis, and Alaysah Johnson were the only Youth Girls 4×400 meter relay team to run under 3:50 with a winning time of 3:49.69 in a race where Track Houston lead from beginning to end.

In the Young Women division, the 4×800 meter relay team ran away from the field to win gold with a time of 9:13.84. They also had a second 4x800m team to medal in the finals.

Don’t be fooled by their pint size, friendly smiles, and playful attitudes. When they’re on the track it’s all business. The Sub-Bantam Boys 4×100 meter relay team consisting of Joel Delva, Bryson Stubblefield, Daniel Huery, and Dylan Dawson has the fastest time in the country this year in their division. They not only have the the fastest time this year but they also broke the USATF Region 12 meet record with a time of 58.63 which was previously held by the 2007 Track Houston Sub-Bantam Boys. Head Coach Keith Stubblefield knew the record was within his teams reach but was more preoccupied with his boys performing well and keeping them focused. Coach Stubblefield and staff efforts paid off as their 4×100 meter relay team won gold, broke the regional record, and solidified their number 1 ranking in the country. GREAT JOB!

National Glory for Youth Track Club is the title of a television news story featuring Track Houston athletes, coaches, and administrators. The club was invited to appear on FOX 26 Morning News on July 12th after their recent national accomplishments in Illinois and Florida. Jose Ginan of FOX 26 News interviewed club president William Valerie who explained some of the accomplishments of the athletes of which many were displaying their medals and plaques.

Some may win twice or maybe 3 in a row but a streak of 4 National Team titles for the Track Houston Youth Boys at the USATF Youth Outdoor Nationals is an accomplishment second to none. The Youth Boys coaching staff headed by Coach Daryl Sanford has done a great job training and motivating the team to perform at their utmost. Their recent championship was awarded to them in Lisle, Illinois after scoring a total of 95 points, 41 more than the second place team. The Youth Boys won gold in the 4×100, 4×400, and 4×800 meter relays and many other medals in individual events. Congratulations to the Youth Boys on their latest accomplishment and we look forward to their continuing efforts winning this title in the future.

At this same meet the Intermediate Boys also won their age division’s Team Championship title with 69.5 points.

A Big Congratulations is in order to all of our Primary Athletes for a job well done at the Gulf AAU Primary Championships on May 15, 2010. The primary teams represented Track Houston very well with 32 boys and 28 girls which was the highest attendance of any track club. Each and every one of our Athletes competed to the best of their ability, concentrating and putting their very best foot forward. The competition was for ages 4 to 8 years old and awarded medals for 1st – 3rd and ribbons for 4th – 6th. Our primary boys brought home 23 medals and many ribbons and the girls were equally successful bringing home 29 medals. The evening topped off with the primary girls winning the overall Gulf AAU Primary Championship with 140 points and the boys winning with 112 points. The Coaches are extremely proud of each one of them, and we received many compliments from other teams on their performances, behavior, and accomplishments. Thank you Primary Coaching Staff, Team Managers, and Parents for a job well done preparing our youngest athletes to achieve the Track Houston tradition.

If bringing home 17 gold medals within the last 3 years from the Junior Olympics was not enough for our Midget Girls to accomplish, now they will be seen by every member of USA Track and Field.

A picture of our Midget Girls 4x100M 2009 team was selected to be the feature picture in the 2010 USATF membership packet.  This packet is delivered to every USATF member around the world.

Track Houston is honored by this wonderful tribute to the Midget Girls multi-year success. Congratulations to Coach Elias Davis, his staff, and the Midget Girls parents.

The picture below features Taylor Bennett and Kiana Horton baton exchange in the 4×100 meter relay and is subtitled, “Where stars are born”.

Track Houston Head Coach Keith Combs was elected Zone 3 – 2009 Youth Coach of the Year at the 2009 USATF National Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2009 National Conference was attended by Track Houston Coaches Joseph Felder, Keith Combs and Earl Thomas. Also, in attendance were Track Houston Alumni and professional USATF elite runners Gloria Asumnu (Tulane), Christopher Dykes (Texas A & M), and Jerome Miller (Baylor).

Coach William Valerie our President and Intermediate Girls Head Coach was presented a 2009 National Youth Chair’s award at the 2009 USATF National Conference. The picture shows the award being presented to Coach Valerie (center) by USATF President Stephanie Hightower and Youth Chair Lionel Leach. The award states “2009 National Youth Chair’s award is presented to William Valerie in appreciation of your years of service and outstanding contributions to Youth Track and Field and Cross Country Programs across the United States. Your dedication and support has played a vital role in the development of Youth Athletics. Lionel Leach – Youth Chair”

Coach Valerie has been coaching for many years and was given special honors by personally presenting the gold medals to his first place intermediate girls at the 2009 Youth Outdoor 4x100m awards ceremony.