Westfield Area YMCA Flyers Track Club Competes at USATF Youth Outdoor National Championships

Nineteen athletes from the Westfield Area YMCA Flyers Track Club competed at the USATF Youth Outdoor National Championships held June 26-29 at Icahn Stadium in NY, NY. Five members of the Flyers placed in the top eight, earning All-American honors.

Jessica Zhou kicked off the first day by placing second in the 3000m run in the 15-16 girls with a time of 11:55.77. That same day, two girls qualified for the finals and then reached the podium: Emma Daley in the 9-10 girls 200m Dash placing seventh with a time of 31.63 and Lidia Wright in the 15-16 girls 100m Hurdles placing fourth with a time of 16.01— also a new Flyers Club record.

Addison Stroh, competing in the 15-16 girls division to reach the podium in three events: Hammer Throw (20.10m), Discus Throw (19.58m), and Shot Put Throw (6.80m). Emerson Parran achieved eighth place in the Javelin Throw (23.25m). 

Other Flyers athletes who competed at the event included:

• Katalyna Aguilar (11-12 girls 1500m Run, 3000m Run)
• Leo Anspach (11-12 boys 1500m Run)
• Luke Barba (13-14 boys 800m Run, 1500m Run, 3000m Run)
• Slater Centeno (11-12 boys 800m Run, 1500m Run)
• Collin Cobb (9-10 boys 800m Run)
• Ronan Connolly (13-14 boys 3000m Run)
• Anderson Deutsch (11-12 boys 100m Dash, 200m Dash)
• Abigail Drennan (13-14 girls 1500m Run, 3000m Run)
• Davin Hettiarachchi (13-14 boys 800m Run, 1500m Run)
• Sandra Jakubiuk (11-12 girls 1500m Run, 3000m Run)
• Molly Kanterman (13-14 girls 200m Hurdles, 400m Dash)
• Giuliana Oriol (9-10 girls 100m Dash, 200m Dash)
• Arjun Vernekar (15-16 boys 3000m Run)
• Reya Yadav (9-10 girls 100m, 200m, 400m Dash)

Congratulations to all the Flyers for an outstanding track and field season!

The Westfield Area YMCA Flyers Track Club is led by USATF-certified coaches and serves hundreds of athletes ages 7-15 year-round. Athletes learn the fundamentals of distance running and techniques unique to off-track running, with more experienced runners building on fundamental skills through conditioning and in-depth training. Registration is open now for the cross-country season Sept. 9 - Nov. 1, 2024. For more information, visit www.flyerstrackclub.com or contact Michelle Almeida at malmeida@westfieldynj.org 908-301-9622 ext. 279. 

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Visit www.westfieldynj.org to learn more about Westfield Area YMCA and Cranford YMCA programs. Financial assistance is available for YMCA memberships and programs to those who qualify.