Striders ready for nationals

By MARK W. MILLER

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

The Youngstown

Striders have qualified 23 athletes who will leave Youngstown July 27 for the AAU Junior Olympic games at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., July 28 through August 2.

Striders’ coach David Townsend, who is also the Youngstown State sprint coach, said, “[Approximately] 4,500 athletes from the 50 states will be competing and the Striders will have athletes in almost every event.

“Our kids are excited about going,” said Townsend, in his 10th year as Striders’ coach. “They are motivated because we didn’t do as well as we expected last year, so we are looking forward to a great week.”

Merrill Harris, a Striders’ assistant coach who is a high school track and field official, said, “We have sent athletes to the Junior Olympics every year since 1991.”

The Striders have been preparing for the meet since practice started in April. They work out Mondays through Thursdays, competing in meets on the weekends.

“The kids have worked hard and have had a lot of fun in doing what they do best at practices and meets,” said Townsend.

The 23 athletes earned their Junior Olympic spots when they qualified in the top four at the regional, where 2,000 athletes from Ohio and West Virginia competed at Canton GlenOak High School.

Jayshawn Coleman, 11, who will be a sixth grade student at Youngstown Community School this fall, will be going to the Junior Olympics for the fourth straight year.

He placed third at the regional in the 200 meters (27.1 seconds) and fourth in the 400 (61.2).

“I am excited about going again and think I’ll have a chance at placing in the top eight,” said Coleman.

The Striders started their program in 1962 and Townsend said they started this season with 67 athletes.

Shatasia Walker, 16, who will be a sophomore at Chaney High this fall, qualified for the Junior Olympics in the 100 and 400 hurdles.

“I’ve gotten my time down from last spring in the 100 hurdles [14.9],” said Walker. She qualified for the OHSAA regional in the spring with a time of 15.7.

“The 400 hurdles are a little tougher than the threes, but I’ve been training all summer for this,” said Walker. “I expect a lot of good kids will be entered in both hurdles”

According to Townsend, Dimaje Clinkscale, 11, is returning for the second year and he’ll compete in the discus throw (43 feet, 2 inches) and shot put (27-71⁄2).

“Kristen Basista of Mineral Ridge, 16, is returning and will compete in the 100 and 400 meter hurdles. She was a member of the Rams’ 4x400 relay that placed eighth in the Division III state meet at Columbus last spring said Townsend.

miller@vindy.com