The USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships are being held this week in Omaha, Nebraska. The contingency from Virginia is very small with the meet being held at a significant distance away from the state, while the USATF National JO Cross Country Championships will be held right here in Virginia next fall at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
Photo by David Fleenor
Liberty Christian Academy's Josh Morris clocked an outstanding time in the 2000 meter steeplechase as the rising junior placed third in the young men's division with a final time of 6:13.14. Morris improved by seven seconds from USATF regional time. His third place finish also helped earn him All-American honors. After running the steeplechase on Tuesday, Morris came back two days in the 5000 meter run and continued to excel as he ran a 16 second personal best with a fourth place effort of 15:39 for his second All-American honor of the week. Morris wrapped his weekend qualifying for the finals of the 1500 meter run with a time of 4:09.93 in his preliminary heat which would convert to his first sub 4:30 performance in the mile, but struggled in the finals as it was his fourth race of the week to finish 11th in the finals at 4:15.51.
USATF National Junior Olympic Results: