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.
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
IAAF World Junior Champs. - Day 1 Highlights
Day One Results / World Junior Meet Page / Official Website / USATF Summary
Men's Long Jump
As if Christian Taylor (Sandy Creek, GA) and Marquise Goodwin (Rowlett, TX) needed an introduction to being two of the best junior jumpers in the world, the two athletes performed exceptionally well Tuesday in the prelims of the event. The University of Florida-bound Taylor was the top finisher in his group, jumping 25-0.25, while Goodwin finished second in his group with a top jump of 24-11.25. Taylor ranks second overall heading into the finals, while Goodwin ranks third. If each can add two or three more inches to their jumps this talented duo could place 1-2 and give Team USA some added momentum.
Men's & Women's 800m Dash
Taking it round by round is Elijah Greer's (Lake Oswego, OR) mission at the World Junior Championships. The junior standout, who ran the fourth fastest prep time ever in the 800m dash at the U.S. Junior National Championships, qualified for the semi-final round Tuesday, placing well enough in his heat with a finishing mark of 1:50.73. While Greer's mark was three seconds off his U.S. Junior Nationals time, he advanced and will compete again Wednesday.
On the women's side, Sarah McCurdy (Bay Shore, NY) ran 2:12.67 in her first international experience, not advancing to the semi-finals of the 800m dash.
Women's High Jump
What an amazing past week it's been for sophomore Shanay Briscoe (Cypress Christian, TX). Briscoe flew to Eugene, Oregon last week to take part in the Olympic Trials, which saw her qualify for the finals. How wonderfully impressive was it watching Briscoe earn her way into the Olympic Trials final against many of the top women jumpers in the country.
However, Briscoe didn't get a chance to compete in the finals because she had to board a plane to Poland in order to get to the World Junior Championships in time to compete on the first day of competition. With all of this taking place within a four day span, Briscoe qualified for the women's high jump final by clearing 1.81 meters (5-11.25). If she can continue her momentum set over the past three weeks, Briscoe has a shot to medal in the event.
Men's Shot Put
Junior Dan Block (Lake Park, IL) continued his impressive season Tuesday in the men's shot put by finishing eighth in his group with a toss of 60-03.50. Block nearly qualified for the finals, earning the second best non-qualifying mark. With his season now wrapped up, Block will focus his off-season training towards becoming the best thrower in the discus and shot put next season as a senior.
Women's Triple Jump
It was supposed to be Vashti Thomas' (Mt Pleasant, CA) time to shine, instead it became a day of disappointment for the California senior. The U.S. #1 ranked triple jumper this season couldn't crack the 40 foot barrier, scratching her first attempt, then leaping 12.09 and 12.10 meters respectively. Her 12.10 meter mark converts to 39-08.50, leaving her short of qualifying for the next round.
Men's Discus
Geoffrey Tabor (Ardmore, OK) ended his high school career Tuesday at the World Junior Championships. Tabor, who's headed to Stanford University in the fall, finished 15th in Group A of the men's discus throw. Tabor launched the device for a top mark of 49.22, which equates to a 161-05.75, but he fouled on his first and third throw.
Women's Hammer Throw
Lauren Chambers (Kell, GA) failed to advance to the finals of the women's hammer throw after earning no marks for any of her three preliminary throws.
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