Monday, July 29, 2013

Daniel, One of the National Elites



Daniel started off the day with a car trip from Harrisburg, Pa. to Greensboro, N.C. 
They stopped in Va. to have lunch at a rest stop. 
Daniel takes the time to smell the flowers before he continues on his journey to Greensboro.


Tuesday July 24, 2013


This is the day that Daniel was in the USATF National ceremony in Greensboro N.C. You see here a short videos of Daniel in this ceremony. Region 2, the reason of the USATF Outdoor program that he represents is about to take the track in a procession around the track to their seats in the stadium. He is getting his picture taken with high school children from Rochester, N.Y. Daniel, over the last 4 years have made many friends around the country and seems to be very popular in the USATF organization. 

You can see all videos of the full National Meet by going to USATF.TV on your computer.

Parade of Participants - Opening Ceremony

Coach Andrew Lofton later informed me that Daniel was with the other three members of the St. Luke Spirit Track Club. Daniel did not stay for the full program because he had to get back to the hotel to prepare for his 800 Meter Run, the following morning. The speakers included the Mayor of Greensboro and the head of the University of North Carolina. The University uses these type of events to recruit the top track and field people to the university.http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&mgroup_event_id=463&do=videos&video_id=96912

Torch Lighting - Opening Ceremony - USATF Junior Olympic National 

Wednesday July 25, 2013

Daniel ran in the Semi-Finals of the 800 Meter Run with a time of 2 Minutes, 59.23 Seconds. He completed the race in 25th Place.



Daniel on the left, Darnell in the middle, and Coach Lofton on the right is analyzing Daniels moves in the past race to determine what can be done to fix his performance.



Coach Andrew Lofton and Grand Father Darnell L. Williams immediately started analyzing his results to make changes in his running style for his 1500 M run on Sunday July 29, 2013. The biggest problem found was the use of his arms. That was nothing new to me but it was not welcomed by his coach. I spent Thursday in a light practice with Daniel trying to correct the problem. I asked Daniel where he got that wrong running style. He told me that it came from one of his video games. Anyone who knows me by now can guess that I went off like an 8 day alarm clock! 
800 Meter Run 7-8 Boys
===================================================================
       Nat'l: N 2:35.23  6/10/2012   Elijah Porras, Falcon Talons
     JO Meet: J 2:37.53  7/30/2011   Kyle Watkins, Myrtle Beach
    Name                    Year Team                   Prelims  H#
===================================================================
Preliminaries
  1 Outar, Jaden              05 04-South Dad           2:40.79Q  4
   1:16.908 (1:16.908)     2:40.785 (1:23.877)
  2 Page, Tristan             05 12-The Wings Tc Inc    2:42.37Q  3
   1:21.054 (1:21.054)     2:42.366 (1:21.312)
  3 Young, Jake               05 04-Creekview           2:43.95Q  1
   1:21.242 (1:21.242)     2:43.946 (1:22.704)
  4 Smith, Stone              05 06-Mobile Ci           2:47.61Q  2
   1:23.818 (1:23.818)     2:47.601 (1:23.783)
  5 Legg, Braxton             05 14-Unattached          2:43.71q  3
   1:18.800 (1:18.800)     2:43.707 (1:24.907)
  6 Carter, Nicholas          05 12-Texas Storm TC      2:43.98q  1
   1:22.303 (1:22.303)     2:43.976 (1:21.673)
  7 Parker, Joshua            05 04-Premier A           2:44.90q  3
   1:21.176 (1:21.176)     2:44.891 (1:23.715)
  8 Levy, Caleb               05 07-Waukegan            2:45.09q  4
   1:20.019 (1:20.019)     2:45.088 (1:25.069)
  9 Pretre, Justin            05 14-Palo Alto           2:46.10q  4
   1:20.077 (1:20.077)     2:46.092 (1:26.015)
 10 Fields, Dakoda            05 15-Bay Citie           2:46.64q  3
   1:19.762 (1:19.762)     2:46.635 (1:26.873)
 11 McGee, Michael            05 16-Tri-City            2:47.42q  1
   1:21.617 (1:21.617)     2:47.418 (1:25.801)
 12 Williams, Korrye          05 12-Mainland            2:49.17q  2
   1:25.630 (1:25.630)     2:49.162 (1:23.532)
 13 Kraft, Tristan            05 16-Tri-City            2:51.83q  2
   1:22.231 (1:22.231)     2:51.823 (1:29.592)
 14 Johnson, Jelani           05 01-Metro Eag           2:52.18q  3
   1:29.040 (1:29.040)     2:52.179 (1:23.139)
 15 Shigg, Seth               06 15-Los Angel           2:52.39q  1
   1:21.359 (1:21.359)     2:52.383 (1:31.024)
 16 Brown, Aaron              05 01-Metro Eag           2:52.56q  4
   1:25.443 (1:25.443)     2:52.553 (1:27.110)
 17 Parks, Jason              06 10-Unattached          2:53.31   1
   1:22.359 (1:22.359)     2:53.309 (1:30.950)
 18 Oshodi, Fazl              05 02-South Jer           2:53.60   4
   1:20.866 (1:20.866)     2:53.597 (1:32.731)
 19 Howerton, Keith           05 09-Eastside            2:54.68   3
   1:23.347 (1:23.347)     2:54.680 (1:31.333)
 20 Gonzales, Estevan         05 10-Wicked TC           2:55.60   3
   1:23.182 (1:23.182)     2:55.597 (1:32.415)
 21 Elam, Daron               05 15-Los Angel           2:56.50   4
   1:23.219 (1:23.219)     2:56.500 (1:33.281)
 22 Lawrence, Landen          05 13-Unattached          2:56.92   2
   1:30.414 (1:30.414)     2:56.917 (1:26.503)
 23 Martin, Chance            05 06-United So           2:57.16   1
   1:22.431 (1:22.431)     2:57.160 (1:34.729)
 24 Nowell, Hunter            05 15-Blazin Ga           2:58.28   2
   1:26.579 (1:26.579)     2:58.278 (1:31.699)
 25 Tulloch, Daniel           05 02-St Luke S           2:59.23   4
   1:29.566 (1:29.566)     2:59.229 (1:29.663)
 26 Cozzi, Michael            05 07-Elgin Sha           3:01.31   3
   1:22.688 (1:22.688)     3:01.303 (1:38.615)
 27 Davis, John               05 10-Do Right            3:01.75   1
   1:22.485 (1:22.485)     3:01.747 (1:39.262)
 28 Salazar, Isaac            05 10-Albuquerq           3:02.62   3
   1:26.513 (1:26.513)     3:02.611 (1:36.098)
 29 Jones, Brandon            06 02-East Allegheny      3:04.11   2
   1:24.688 (1:24.688)     3:04.105 (1:39.417)
 30 Boykins, Caleb            05 04-Mt Pleasant TC      3:09.89   4
   1:35.421 (1:35.421)     3:09.884 (1:34.463)
 31 Robertson, Nicholas       06 01-Team Spor           3:13.44   1
   1:35.286 (1:35.286)     3:13.434 (1:38.148)
 32 Chaney, Rakim             06 07-Golden Eagles TC    3:13.71   1
   1:26.271 (1:26.271)     3:13.707 (1:47.436)
 33 Koo, Jiwan                05 03-Southwest           3:20.03   2
   1:37.464 (1:37.464)     3:20.028 (1:42.564)
 34 Becker, Ryan              06 08-Minnesota Speed     3:24.87   3
   1:36.442 (1:36.442)     3:24.866 (1:48.424)

However, Coach Andrew Lofton of the St. Luke Spirit Tack Club called me Wednesday afternoon and told me that Daniel advanced to the 800 M finals because of several complaints about the way this race was communicated to parents and coaches. I really don't understand what the problem is because in NCAA and under World Olympic Rules, if you miss the race, you miss the race. People are going to have to learn how to follow the rules starting at the 7 and 8 Division of USATF.

Saturday July 28, 2013


Boys 7-8 800 Final Heat 2 - USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field

Daniel has on #1

Daniel reported to Coach Lofton at 1:30 PM and checked in with race officials by 2:00 PM. He was in one of three heats for the timed finals for the 800 Meter Run. His time was 2 Minutes, 57.82 Seconds which placed him 29th in the nation in the 800 Meter Run. As soon as the 7 and 8 Division race was over the stands were cleared for a severe thunder and lighting storm. We just made it under the bleachers before the heavy rain came down.

800 Meter Run 7-8 Boys
===================================================================
       Nat'l: N 2:35.23  6/10/2012   Elijah Porras, Falcon Talons
     JO Meet: J 2:37.53  7/30/2011   Kyle Watkins, Myrtle Beach
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  H#
===================================================================
Finals
  1 Page, Tristan             05 12-The Wings Tc Inc    2:33.73N  4
   1:13.833 (1:13.833)     2:33.726 (1:19.893)
  2 Jones, Miles              06 14-3m TC               2:33.79N  4
   1:15.913 (1:15.913)     2:33.790 (1:17.877)
  3 Williams, Korrye          05 12-Mainland            2:38.16   3
   1:17.706 (1:17.706)     2:38.151 (1:20.445)
  4 Smith, Stone              05 06-Mobile Ci           2:38.79   3
   1:18.112 (1:18.112)     2:38.781 (1:20.669)
  5 Outar, Jaden              05 04-South Dad           2:39.75   4
   1:13.747 (1:13.747)     2:39.747 (1:26.000)
  6 Young, Robert             05 02-Comets TC           2:41.15   4
   1:17.027 (1:17.027)     2:41.149 (1:24.122)
  7 Legg, Braxton             05 14-Unattached          2:42.03   4
   1:17.446 (1:17.446)     2:42.029 (1:24.583)
  8 Parker, Joshua            05 04-Premier A           2:43.13   4
   1:18.086 (1:18.086)     2:43.122 (1:25.036)
  9 Fields, Dakoda            05 15-Bay Citie           2:44.59   4
   1:19.003 (1:19.003)     2:44.585 (1:25.582)
 10 McGee, Michael            05 16-Tri-City            2:44.69   4
   1:17.892 (1:17.892)     2:44.684 (1:26.792)
 11 Levy, Caleb               05 07-Waukegan            2:44.98   4
   1:18.432 (1:18.432)     2:44.972 (1:26.540)
 12 Lawrence, Landen          05 13-Unattached          2:45.81   2
   1:24.100 (1:24.100)     2:45.802 (1:21.702)
 13 Pretre, Justin            05 14-Palo Alto           2:45.84   4
   1:18.589 (1:18.589)     2:45.836 (1:27.247)
 14 Gonzales, Estevan         05 10-Wicked TC           2:45.96   2
   1:20.999 (1:20.999)     2:45.960 (1:24.961)
 15 Young, Jake               05 04-Creekview           2:46.05   4
   1:19.285 (1:19.285)     2:46.045 (1:26.760)
 16 Carter, Nicholas          05 12-Texas Storm TC      2:46.08   4
   1:17.862 (1:17.862)     2:46.074 (1:28.212)
 17 Brown, Aaron              05 01-Metro Eag           2:47.56   3
   1:23.062 (1:23.062)     2:47.551 (1:24.489)
 18 Oshodi, Fazl              05 02-South Jer           2:48.21   3
   1:19.356 (1:19.356)     2:48.203 (1:28.847)
 19 Kraft, Tristan            05 16-Tri-City            2:48.30   3
   1:21.911 (1:21.911)     2:48.297 (1:26.386)
 20 Howerton, Keith           05 09-Eastside            2:50.12   3
   1:19.782 (1:19.782)     2:50.113 (1:30.331)
 21 Johnson, Jelani           05 01-Metro Eag           2:51.83   3
   1:22.091 (1:22.091)     2:51.827 (1:29.736)
 22 Davis, John               05 10-Do Right            2:52.36   2
   1:20.961 (1:20.961)     2:52.351 (1:31.390)
 23 Shigg, Seth               06 15-Los Angel           2:53.25   3
   1:19.878 (1:19.878)     2:53.247 (1:33.369)
 24 Martin, Chance            05 06-United So           2:54.56   2
   1:25.571 (1:25.571)     2:54.554 (1:28.983)
 25 Arumugam, Aakash          06 14-Blazin Ja           2:54.99   2
   1:21.845 (1:21.845)     2:54.989 (1:33.144)
 26 Nowell, Hunter            05 15-Blazin Ga           2:55.41   2
   1:25.434 (1:25.434)     2:55.410 (1:29.976)
 27 Parks, Jason              06 10-Unattached          2:56.17   2
   1:26.746 (1:26.746)     2:56.168 (1:29.422)
 28 Elam, Daron               05 15-Los Angel           2:56.31   2
   1:22.447 (1:22.447)     2:56.301 (1:33.854)
 29 Tulloch, Daniel           05 02-St Luke S           2:57.82   2
   1:27.425 (1:27.425)     2:57.815 (1:30.390)
 30 George, Khaje             05 01-Zodiacs T           2:58.86   1
   1:28.742 (1:28.742)     2:58.852 (1:30.110)
 31 Robertson, Nicholas       06 01-Team Spor           3:01.20   1
   1:29.012 (1:29.012)     3:01.194 (1:32.182)
 32 Boykins, Caleb            05 04-Mt Pleasant TC      3:03.06   3
   1:28.716 (1:28.716)     3:03.055 (1:34.339)
 33 Jones, Brandon            06 02-East Allegheny      3:07.87   2
   1:30.132 (1:30.132)     3:07.870 (1:37.738)
 34 Chaney, Rakim             06 07-Golden Eagles TC    3:10.38   1
   1:30.584 (1:30.584)     3:10.376 (1:39.792)
 35 Koo, Jiwan                05 03-Southwest           3:12.45   1
   1:31.428 (1:31.428)     3:12.445 (1:41.017)
 36 Salazar, Isaac            05 10-Albuquerq           3:13.36   2
   1:31.100 (1:31.100)     3:13.357 (1:42.257)
    Sunday July 29, 2013


Daniel was waken at 6:00 AM, fed a breakfast, and clerked in at 8:00 AM at Aggie Stadium. He ran the timed final for the 1500 Meter at  5 Min. 57.17 Sec. finishing 22nd in the United States.


USA TV Video with Daniel #2. Daniel's parents Damine and Stephanie was not at the track but watching the race live from their home in Swatara, Pa. on USA TV. 

1500 Meter Run 7-8 Boys
===================================================================
       Nat'l: N 5:18.52  6/23/2012   Elijah Porras, Falcon Talons
     JO Meet: J 5:24.34  7/31/2011   Paul Holyfield, Valley Unite
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  H#
===================================================================
Finals
  1 Jones, Miles              06 14-3m TC               5:11.00N  2
       55.833 (55.833)     2:21.962 (1:26.129)     3:50.264 (1:28.302)
   5:10.999 (1:20.735)
  2 Legg, Braxton             05 14-Unattached          5:19.98J  2
       58.170 (58.170)     2:24.698 (1:26.528)     3:54.467 (1:29.769)
   5:19.974 (1:25.507)
  3 Smith, Stone              05 06-Mobile Ci           5:22.72J  2
       59.573 (59.573)     2:25.186 (1:25.613)     3:54.752 (1:29.566)
   5:22.718 (1:27.966)
  4 Levy, Caleb               05 07-Waukegan            5:34.23   2
       56.556 (56.556)     2:25.030 (1:28.474)     4:03.408 (1:38.378)
   5:34.229 (1:30.821)
  5 Parker, Joshua            05 04-Premier A           5:36.82   2
       59.648 (59.648)     2:35.910 (1:36.262)     4:11.623 (1:35.713)
   5:36.811 (1:25.188)
  6 Brown, Aaron              05 01-Metro Eag           5:36.84   2
       59.259 (59.259)     2:36.724 (1:37.465)     4:11.063 (1:34.339)
   5:36.840 (1:25.777)
  7 Perry, Chase              05 16-Tailwind TC         5:37.25   2
   1:00.828 (1:00.828)     2:33.980 (1:33.152)     4:08.384 (1:34.404)
   5:37.248 (1:28.864)
  8 Carter, Nicholas          05 12-Texas Storm TC      5:37.80   2
       57.885 (57.885)     2:29.569 (1:31.684)     4:06.806 (1:37.237)
   5:37.794 (1:30.988)
  9 Kraft, Tristan            05 16-Tri-City            5:38.14   2
       58.651 (58.651)     2:32.642 (1:33.991)     4:07.638 (1:34.996)
   5:38.136 (1:30.498)
 10 Oshodi, Fazl              05 02-South Jer           5:39.38   2
       57.217 (57.217)     2:32.948 (1:35.731)     4:08.114 (1:35.166)
   5:39.371 (1:31.257)
 11 Lawrence, Landen          05 13-Unattached          5:39.64   2
   1:00.734 (1:00.734)     2:35.696 (1:34.962)     4:12.346 (1:36.650)
   5:39.636 (1:27.290)
 12 Julian, Eli               05 16-Salisbury           5:40.51   2
   1:01.171 (1:01.171)     2:34.703 (1:33.532)     4:08.711 (1:34.008)
   5:40.506 (1:31.795)
 13 Gonzales, Estevan         05 10-Wicked TC           5:41.63   2
       58.504 (58.504)     2:32.824 (1:34.320)     4:09.140 (1:36.316)
   5:41.624 (1:32.484)
 14 Howerton, Keith           05 09-Eastside            5:42.96   2
       58.911 (58.911)     2:33.109 (1:34.198)     4:10.758 (1:37.649)
   5:42.954 (1:32.196)
 15 Parks, Jason              06 10-Unattached          5:44.14   1
   1:04.321 (1:04.321)     2:39.646 (1:35.325)     4:15.293 (1:35.647)
   5:44.139 (1:28.846)
 16 Young, Jake               05 04-Creekview           5:47.17   2
       57.897 (57.897)     2:30.695 (1:32.798)     4:10.662 (1:39.967)
   5:47.169 (1:36.507)
 17 Nowell, Hunter            05 15-Blazin Ga           5:48.75   1
   1:03.989 (1:03.989)     2:40.065 (1:36.076)     4:17.718 (1:37.653)
   5:48.750 (1:31.032)
 18 Arumugam, Aakash          06 14-Blazin Ja           5:51.67   1
   1:05.874 (1:05.874)     2:41.787 (1:35.913)     4:19.854 (1:38.067)
   5:51.666 (1:31.812)
 19 Tubbs, Gabriel            05 12-Mainland            5:52.71   1
   1:02.141 (1:02.141)     2:39.060 (1:36.919)     4:15.554 (1:36.494)
   5:52.706 (1:37.152)
 20 Allen, Kemar              06 10-Blazers TC          5:52.82   1
   1:05.030 (1:05.030)     2:42.884 (1:37.854)     4:21.016 (1:38.132)
   5:52.817 (1:31.801)
 21 Martin, Chance            05 06-United So           5:57.14   1
   1:03.579 (1:03.579)     2:40.438 (1:36.859)     4:22.891 (1:42.453)
   5:57.136 (1:34.245)
 22 Tulloch, Daniel           05 02-St Luke S           5:57.17   1
   1:07.399 (1:07.399)     2:45.629 (1:38.230)     4:25.735 (1:40.106)
   5:57.164 (1:31.429)
 23 Sleight, Joshua           05 04-E-1 TC              5:57.46   2
   1:01.017 (1:01.017)     2:38.211 (1:37.194)     4:18.502 (1:40.291)
   5:57.459 (1:38.957)
 24 Harris, Tarik             06 03-Track Express TC    6:01.58   1
   1:06.028 (1:06.028)     2:48.190 (1:42.162)     4:27.700 (1:39.510)
   6:01.573 (1:33.873)
 25 Gheorghian, Kaiden        05 22-Unattached          6:01.68   1
   1:04.622 (1:04.622)     2:42.705 (1:38.083)     4:25.387 (1:42.682)
   6:01.672 (1:36.285)
 26 Cozzi, Michael            05 07-Elgin Sha           6:05.54   1
   1:04.634 (1:04.634)     2:44.131 (1:39.497)     4:26.779 (1:42.648)
   6:05.535 (1:38.756)
 27 Green, Jemmel             06 03-Woodlawn            6:08.60   1
   1:08.141 (1:08.141)     2:47.305 (1:39.164)     4:28.011 (1:40.706)
   6:08.596 (1:40.585)
 28 Gheorghian, Geoffrey      05 22-Unattached          6:11.82   1
   1:09.059 (1:09.059)     2:49.337 (1:40.278)     4:31.526 (1:42.189)
   6:11.816 (1:40.290)
 29 Strong, William           06 03-Fairfax P           6:13.01   1
   1:08.467 (1:08.467)     2:51.550 (1:43.083)     4:34.879 (1:43.329)
   6:13.007 (1:38.128)
 30 Koo, Jiwan                05 03-Southwest           6:20.28   1
   1:10.144 (1:10.144)     2:59.061 (1:48.917)     4:45.397 (1:46.336)
   6:20.272 (1:34.875)
 31 Boykins, Caleb            05 04-Mt Pleasant TC      6:21.77   2
   1:07.653 (1:07.653)     2:57.745 (1:50.092)     4:44.530 (1:46.785)
   6:21.770 (1:37.240)
 32 Johnson, Bryce            05 05-Northwest Tc Inc    6:27.27   1
   1:09.617 (1:09.617)     2:55.967 (1:46.350)     4:44.795 (1:48.828)
   6:27.261 (1:42.466)
 33 Ogden, Nathan             05 05-New World Tc Inc    6:30.97   1
   1:08.995 (1:08.995)     2:59.601 (1:50.606)     4:53.516 (1:53.915)
   6:30.962 (1:37.446)
 34 Peddle, Jack              05 02-New Jerse           6:31.04   1
   1:09.945 (1:09.945)     2:58.662 (1:48.717)     4:51.292 (1:52.630)
   6:31.031 (1:39.739)
 35 Golmon, Jonathan          05 33-Unattached          6:35.49   1
   1:08.316 (1:08.316)     2:43.623 (1:35.307)     4:46.966 (2:03.343)
   6:35.483 (1:48.517)

Next Week Friday August 2, 2013

Daniel will run in the State Games at Bishop McDevitt High School near Harrisburg, Pa. starting with the 1500 Meter at 1:00 PM. He will return to do the 400 Meter at 10:30 AM Saturday as well at the 800 Meter Saturday afternoon at 1:00.  

The New Bishop McDevitt Stadium in Lower Paxton, Pa. 

The "State Games of America" is the last outdoor track and field meet for the year and the end of his 8 and under career. Daniel starts his Cross Country activities at the end of August that will end with USATF Cross Country in November and December of this year.        
Why are we doing this?

Daniel has been running in USATF Indoor, Outdoor, and Cross Country for 4 years. Short term he is meeting people from all over the United States and beyond. He is learning early about other people and cultures. Daniel is learning how to believe in himself by achieving objectives that he can see now. He is also learning how to compete with and against others. 

Sports is not an end in itself. In 10 years at the rate of his progress and with his education, he can achieve a full paid scholarship to learn a skill or profession so that he could make a good living. After achieving his BS, he will be in a very good position to achieve an MBA and a Doctorate if he feels like it. These things can be achieved easily even after I am dead and gone from this Earth.

While many children are on the streets doing nothing and getting into trouble, Daniel is kept off the streets doing something productive. Some people say that we are living our lives through Daniel. OK, let's say we are. We are developing him so that when he becomes a man he will be able to carry himself with good self esteem, living any life that he wants to live. So yes, as a family member we are living our lives the way we want him to live. Hopefully, he will live his life through his children as well and so on and so forth!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Do you want to join a Track Club?

Usain Bolt, on the right, is a member of the Racers Track Club.

When I go to Daniel’s school, have Daniel practice on the local Harrisburg area tracks, or just going about my business, people come up to me with a question.  Where can I go to have my child join a track club? They want to know who to contact? Until now, I did not know of a track club in the Harrisburg area that I could send children to. Now I do. Open the link below!
David, 3 years old on the left wants to practice track. Daniel, 8 years old is on the St. Luke Spirit Track Club and is going to his third straight USATF National Track Meet this July.


The Hershey Blaze Track Club
The Hershey Blaze Track Club was founded in 2013 in Hershey, Pennsylvania and is a United States Track and Field (USATF) member organization. They were founded by a group of parents of talented athletes who desired to further compete in track and field competition on a local, regional and national level. Prior to officially becoming a club, some of the athletes were already accomplished in other sports and were able to transition beautifully over to the track. In fact, in 2011 and 2012 these young people managed to amass several dozen medals while in competition throughout the state.

This club is a FAMILY organization with membership open to ages 6-18. Most of the young athletes fall between the ages of 9 and 14. However, it is the hope of the club that children develop a love for physical fitness, healthy living and friendly competition through track and field. While earning medals is surely a goal, each time a child shows improvement we celebrate a VICTORY!!
USATF Structure

Club membership does not require prior track and field experience. The club’s young athletes may compete at a variety of levels. Since the club is a USATF member organization they follow the age group structure. The groups are determined based on the child's age as of 12/31 of the current year. 
The age groups are:
            Sub-Bantam (8 and under),
Bantam (9-10),
Midget (11-12),
Youth (13-14),
Intermediate (15-16),
Young Men/ Women (17-18).

Track events include:
50m (for 10 and Under only),
100m,
200m,
400m,
800m,
1500m,
4x100 relay,
4x400m relay
Hurdles
 High Jump-TBD.


Field events include:
Softball Throw,
Turbo Javelin,
Long Jump (running and Standing),
Shot put
Discus-- TBD

You can reach the club by writing to: Hershey Blaze Track Club- P.O. Box 46- Hershey, PA, 17033
You can send them an email by using the link below:

http://hersheyblazetc.weebly.com/contact-us.html

If the link does not work, put the link in your browser.

You can register for membership in the club by using the link below:


If the link does not work, put the link in your browser.

Monday, July 15, 2013

The Flash at the 2013 USATF Region 2 Meet in Jamestown, NY; Did Not Come To Play


Here is Daniel, the Jamaican flash, playing in Lake Erie on Saturday July 13, 2013, the day before his Regional races, but this does not mean he came to play.

In fact, Daniel was as serious at this meet than a "Heart Attack." What had me worried was the fact that it had been hot and humid for the past 2 weeks. Daniel does not perform well in hot humid weather. His seed times for the 1500 and 800 Meter Runs was very bad. If they are as bad as at this Regional as it was at the Association meet, he would not be going to nationals. Stephanie led Daniel in a private prayer away from me and the rest of the spectators at the meet. When they were done, I asked Daniel did he pray. Both Daniel and Stephanie said yes and I left it at that. Knowing that the Lord does not take sides in sporting events, I got Daniel ready for his first task. That task was to qualify for the 1500 Meter Run.

When Daniel went into the waiting area for the start of his race, the sky was sunny, hot, and humid. The sweat started pouring off me. This is the type of weather that Daniel does not do well in. When Daniel came out for his race, the sun went behind clouds that suddenly appeared. The air got cooler. It was just the type of weather that Daniel does well in. Since the weather is the same for all athletes at the same time, God did not interfere with the event on any ones side. Here is the result of the 1500 Meter Run.  

1500 Run 8&Under

  • 1.
    5:47.87Fazl Oshodi
    08-South Jersey Rising Stars T
  • 2.
    5:49.79Ethan DeCrosta
    11-Ispeed TC
  • 3.
    5:55.75Daniel Tulloch
    08-St Luke Spirit TC
  • 4.
    5:58.40Phillip Markovitz
    11-Pacer TC
  • 5.
    6:08.36Jack Peddle
    07-New Jersey Striders
  • 6.
    6:12.15Thomas Martin
    07-Transy East TC
  • 7.
    6:30.82Bryent Coke
    07-Transy East TC
  • 8.
    6:34.67Zachary Herninko
    07-New Jersey Striders
  • 9.
    6:35.10Anthony Tardibuono
    07-New Jersey Striders
  • 10.
    6:35.70Deydon Soto
    11-Penn Hills Eagles TC

    Fazl Oshodi came in first place. He is of the South Jersey Rising Stars Track Club. Fazi ran an outstanding 
    race and had no trouble defeating the other people in the heat. 

    Second Place  Ethan DeCrosta of the ISpeed Track Club practice at the Woodland Hills High School track in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pa. and is supported by businesses operating in that community. He came in about 6 seconds ahead of the Jamaican Flash. The Flash came in more than 2.5 seconds ahead of everyone else. 

    Two objectives were met. Daniel placed 3rd, qualifying him to go to nationals. Second, he  ran under 6 minutes for the first time, doing his personal best. (Running 100 Meters short of a mile)


   Daniel's 800 Meter Run

When it came time for Daniel to run his 800 Meter Run, the sun went back behind the clouds. The air cooled  and the race started. Click here to see the race.

Here are the results;

800 Run 8&Under

  • 1.
    2:41.77Robert Young
    07-Comets TC
  • 2.
    2:50.93Fazl Oshodi
    08-South Jersey Rising Stars T
  • 3.
    2:55.04Ethan DeCrosta
    11-Ispeed TC
  • 4.
    2:56.90Daniel Tulloch
    08-St Luke Spirit TC
  • 5.
    2:58.91Brandon Jones
    11-East Allegheny
  • 6.
    2:59.62Brenton Baker
    04-Gods Speed Track Team
  • 7.
    3:05.70Adrian King
    07-New Jersey Striders
  • 8.
    3:05.73Bryent Coke
    07-Transy East TC
  • 9.
    3:12.97Shanier Pinkney
    11-Ispeed TC
  • 10.
    3:29.05Jermaine Taylor
    11-Penn Hills Eagles TC

Again, two objectives were made. Daniel placed 4th in the 800 Meter Run and qualified for Nationals. The Flash ran his personal best, running below 3 minutes for the first time in his life. (Running 1/2 Miles)



Daniel's Supporters

Daniel's Regional Supporter dropped by Daniel's tent to congratulate him on qualifying to go to Nationals.

In the picture above, one of the St. Luke Spirit parents from Germantown, Pa. came by the tent looking for Daniel as many people did from Pittsburgh, the upstate New York area, New Jersey, Delaware, as well as Philadelphia.  However, many had to congratulate Daniel while he traveled from and to his events. Stephanie and Daniel stayed in the car in the air conditioning between his two events. After the 1500 Meter Run, the clouds retreated and the bright hot sun came back out as you can see in this picture taken 30 minutes after Daniel's 1500 Meter Run.

About the USATF Region 2 Meet

The 2013 USA Track & Field Region 2 Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships was held at Strider Field in Jamestown,N.Y.
The Chautauqua Striders, along with USATF Niagara, host the four-day event, which ran Thursday through Sunday. A total of 1,526 athletes - 742 male and 784 female - from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and New Jersey, along with their coaches and parents, was in Jamestown for much of the week. The athlete totaled about 400 more than when the event was held in the city four years ago.
"Since we hosted the meet in 2009, I have been asked, 'When is that big meet returning to Jamestown,'" said David Reinhardt, Striders program director. "We are very excited about bringing the Region 2 Championships back to Strider Field. We set the bar high four years ago and plan to give our Region 2 friends an even better show in 2013."

The Junior Olympic program is USA Track and Field's largest national youth program. Annually more than 75,000 athletes compete in association, regional and national championships. The age group competition (8 and under through 18 years old) will display some of the nation's best youth athletes as they run, jump and throw with the hopes of earning an opportunity to advance to the USATF National Junior Olympics Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina on July 22-28. The top 5 athletes in each division advance to participate at the Irwin Belk Track, North Carolina A&T State University.  
Athletes from four USATF associations and six different states that comprise the Region 2 qualified to compete in Jamestown and went for the gold at Strider Field. 
The four USA Track and Field Associations are Niagara (Upstate New York), Three Rivers (Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia), Mid-Atlantic (Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware) and New Jersey (entire state).
"We are extremely excited to host the 2013 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Championships," said USATF Niagara Board President, Bill Quinlisk. "We are looking forward to working with the Chautauqua Striders and the Jamestown community to offer a great experience for coaches, parents and athletes."
An estimated 55 volunteers was needed each day to make this event happen. Additionally, the Striders and USATF Niagara worked with local businesses and organizations to make sure the needs of the athletes, parents, and coaches were met when they were away from Strider Field.

The History of Daniel's 4 Years in the USATF

This is Daniel's third USATF National Meet in less than 12 months:

  • December 2012 in New Mexico, the USATF Cross Country Meet; 
  • March 2013 the Indoor USATF meet just outside Washington DC;
  • Now the 2013 Outdoor USATF meet in North Carolina. 


Since he started USATF Competition, Daniel has qualified for two other National meets:

  •  USATF Indoor meet in Chicago at age 5;
  • USATF Cross County Meet in South Carolina at age 6. 


Both meets he could not participate in because of USATF Rule 100c saying that you must be at least 7 years old to participate in a USATF National Meet.

Going Home!

As Daniel and Stephanie packed up to go home, that "God awful" all sunny skies and humidity came again. I had to asked the New York Jamaican Track Team for some water. They were very glad to give it to me. On our 5 hour trip home, things got back to normal. Stephanie started complaining about Daniel snoring. I told her to leave Daniel alone.  He is tired and he earned the right to do some snoring. 

Stephanie continued her protest of the George Zimmerman Trial, wearing her hoodie in the car and into the convenience store in Warren, Pa.  

  
The Miracle

If someone was telling me this story about God interfering in two track and field races, I would not believe them. But I was there in the 90 degree hot/humid weather and I saw the clouds come before the 1500 Meter run, leave, then come back again for the 800 Meter Run. It appears to me that Daniel has "right standing" with God. If that is the case, I hope he brings God to Nationals. As his younger brother would say, "Go Daniel Go!"  All I can say to Daniel is, "May  the force be with you, always!

Something to Shoot For!

At the USATF Region 2 Meet in Jamestown, N.Y. Daniel Tulloch ran a 5 Minute, 55.75 Sec. 1500 Meter Run placing third.  That means by USATF Age Grading Calculations, the Flash is at 76.49%. If you follow USATF unofficial gauge of development, an 8 year old male at 76.49% is between a regional and a national runner (80% is national; 70% is regional).  To become a national runner, he will have to run a 5 Minute, 39.42 Sec. 1500 Meter Run at Nationals. If he wants to be a World Class runner (90%), he will have to run the 1500 in 5 Minutes, 1.71 Sec.