Virginia athletes delivered a series of outstanding performances at the USATF U20 Championships, held June 18-19 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, highlighted by a national title, a national high school record, and two Team USA selections for the upcoming World Athletics U20 Championships.
Leading the way was Keenen Davis, of Dumfries, who produced one of the most memorable performances of the meet in the men's 400-meter hurdles. Davis stormed to the national title in a blazing 49.20, securing his place on Team USA while also breaking the 24-year-old U.S. high school national record in the event.
Joining Davis on Team USA will be Tori Goodson, of Mechanicsville, who earned a runner-up finish in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Representing the University of North Carolina, Goodson clocked 13.15 seconds to finish second and claim one of the two automatic qualifying positions for the World Athletics U20 Championships. The women's 100-meter hurdles showcased Virginia's depth, with Ava Rice (Haymarket, VA; University of Virginia) placing sixth in 13.55 and Aubree Harris (Manassas, VA; Virginia Commonwealth University) finishing 13th in 13.86.
Virginia athletes continued to make their presence felt throughout the competition with several additional top-eight performances.
Tristan Yoder (Broadway, VA; Princeton University) earned a bronze medal in the men's 5,000 meters, finishing third in 14:13.26.
In the men's 110-meter hurdles, Joshua-Kai Smith (Woodbridge, VA; Dale City Lightning Track Club) narrowly missed the podium, placing fourth in a swift 13.06. The time was a personal best, a Virginia high school record, and #2 U.S. all-time. Cole Boone (Dublin, VA) also recorded a fourth-place finish, running 1:50.31 in the men's 800 meters.
The field events produced strong results as well as Bria Byrd (Norfolk, VA; James Madison University) placed fifth in the women's long jump with a leap of 5.98 meters, and Michailyn Rose (Suffolk, VA) finished fifth in the women's triple jump with a mark of 12.57 meters.
Josie Jackson (Abingdon, VA; Appalachian State University) earned a seventh-place finish in the women's 1,500 meters, crossing the line in 4:33.43.
In the men's pole vault, Xavier Curry (Glen Allen, VA; Xtreme Heights) cleared 5.12 meters to place eighth.
Additional Virginia performances included
The performances by Davis and Goodson will now carry Virginia representation onto the international stage as they prepare to compete for Team USA at the World Athletics U20 Championships later this summer.