The National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships have barely begun and Colorado has already made its mark.
Taylor Gerard was first to strike gold for the Colorado contingent, winning the intermediate girls 2000 Meter Steeplechase in 7:40.29. Taylor edged second-place Christina Wicker by just over one-half second. Gerard runs for Zoom Track Club in the summer months.
Maura O'Brien of Ric Rojas Running finished eighth in the young women's 2000 Steeple with a time of 8:02.99.
In the intermediate boys' 2000 Steeple, Chuck Bisbee (unattached) ran to sixth with a time of 6:46.74. Sam Sahli, also of Ric Rojas, finished seventh in 6:57.80. Garrett Finn and Jackson Sayler finished 14th and 17th, respectively.
Elsewhere, Colorado's participation in day one of the national championships was confined to the multi events.
In the intermediate girls heptathlon, Alexa Chacon of Speed Track and Field stands in sixth place after four events. Based on previous heptathlons this summer, Chacon figures to move up on the second day of competition. Although the 100 hurdles is likely Chacon's strongest event, the long jump, javelin, and 800 have turned out nicely for her thus far this summer.
In the young women's heptathlon, Brittany Lewis (Colorado Steppers) currently stands in 18th with her hopes for a high finished damaged by a disappointing time of 19.14 in the 100 hurdles. Lewis figures to make up some ground on day two, but making the medals will be a tall order.
Please note: Summaries for ensuing days may not be as exhaustive in terms of covering as many of the Colorado athletes. Frankly, it was easy to locate all these results this time due to the limited number of events on day one.