Gabe Oladipo won the USA Junior Nationals Discs title
Day three of the USA Junior saw more Texans representing themselves and their home state in a big way. Most of the events were littered with collegiate athletes, some of which were former Texas high school stars. That didn't dismay our stars though.
The first event on the day was the Men's Discus Throw. UIL 6A state champ GABE OLADIPO continued his amazing season. In the competition was undefeated and U.S. #1 TURNER WASHINGTON, but Oladipo was undefeated on the season as well and still is as he overcame Washington and college throwers to win the USA Junior National champion.
In the women's 400m, a couple of former Texas high school stars and now college freshmen stole the show. TAKYERA ROBERSON from Houston Wheatley and JAEVIN REED from Plano Prestonwood are both freshmen in the SEC. Roberson of Alabama, won the race with a 51.35 PR earning her a spot on the USA Pan AM team. Reed of Texas A&M also earned a spot with her second place and PR of 51.52.
Arkansas freshman and former Flower Mound Marcus star MADELEINE REED won the women's 1500m to earn herself a place on Team USA. Reed ran 1:05.85 on the last lap to secure herself the victory in 4:21.45.
Two sport star and UIL 6A high jump champ SANAA BARNES took second in the girls high jump and earned her spot on Team USA. Although she was not able to jump at her PR heigh of 5-10, Barnes was able to take second with fewer misses than Missouri's CARLIE QUEEN at 5-9.25.
Last weekend, Texas triple jump star JASMINE MOORE won the NBNO triple jump title in 43-7.25. This week she wasn't able to reach or further that mark, but she did pop a 43-6.5 to take second place. Moore makes the team after just completing her sophomore year in high school. SYMONE WASHINGTON finished eighth in the women's triple jump.
SEAN HOOPER is the UIL 6A state runner-up in the 400m. After taking third in last week's Brooks PR race, Hooper duplicates the third place finish, except he does it in a 45.86 PR fashion. That makes him eligible for relay duties on the USA Pan Am Team.
In the Women's 200m, UIL 4A state champ SHA'CARRI RICHARDSON is one of Texas' best sprinters and took on the rest of the nation's best. She ran a blazing 23.28 for a PR for third place.
In the boys triple jump, JALEN SEALS , who is a state champ in both the long jump and the triple jump actually led the competition through the first several jumps. However, his best of 49-10 on the day was not enough to hold off the rest of the field as he finished in fourth place.
Two time 4-A pole vault champ RILEY RICHARDS had a pretty good day compared to the rest of the competitors. Most of the field missed at the 16-4.75 opening height. Riley, who also had his troubles at the opening height was able to gain his composure and make the jump. Two misses and a clear was the days pattern for Richards as he cleared 16-10.75 and 17-2.75 on the last attempt of each height. 17-6.50 proved to be too high of a height on the day for all remaining vaulters. Riley took third in the competition and 5A state champ PEYTON WEISSMANN took sixth place.
In the women's 400H, MILAN YOUNG went into the finals with the second fastest time from the prelims. Young placed fourth with another solid effort of 59.36 to place fourth.
In the men's 400h and also placing in fourth, was CHARLES BROCKMAN III. In the final, Brockman PRed with a very fast 50.70, just missing out on the top two spots.
Former Dawson star and current Rice freshman MATTHEW MURRAY took fifth in the men's 1500m in 3:53.25.