2014 CLUB NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS-WRAP UP

Written by: Julianne Sautner  

All eyes were on AAU Track and Field Club National Championships the week of July 7th through 13th as nearly 5,000 athletes representing 324 teams with coaches and families in tow, took to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports to compete for the title of Club National Champion.

This year, not only was this tournament the largest it has ever been, but there was a great representation from the United States and abroad. Athletes traveled from a number of countries including Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Canada and Colombia to participate.

Competition saw some incredible displays of athleticism this year with over 75 total meet records broken in running and field events over the week span.

Sisters Rachelle, and Charmaine De Orbeta, of Bayamon Club, broke the 3000 meter racewalk records.  Rachelle (14:38.44) in the 14 year old 3000m racewalk and Charmaine (15:06.66) in the 15-16 year old 3000m racewalk.

Nicole Green of the Young Achievers broke a record held for fifteen years in the 17-18 year old women’s high jump with a jump of 5 feet 10 inches.

(For the full records list CLICK HERE.)

The 100 meter prelims were run on Wednesday, where 213 heats were run in two hours and fifty-seven minutes. 37% of athletes registered for the meet ran in the 100m prelims.

On Thursday, the 200 meter prelims ran 266 heats in three hours and twenty-five minutes averaging 45 seconds per heat with 45% of athletes registered in the meet participating. This is the largest number of athletes competing in the 200 in this meet and also the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

Combined, athletes ran 82,000 meters or 17 miles of 400 meter races on Friday. For the first time in an AAU track meet, two races were being timed on the track simultaneously during the 400’s, drastically cutting the time to four hours and five minutes total. 34.8% of athletes competing ran in the 400 meter prelims.

After a grueling week of competition, on Sunday when the final race wrapped up on the track, the club awards were announced. Track Houston took home the overall Club Championship team award with a team total of 590.50 points. Miami Gardens Xpress came in second with a score of 286 points and Cupey Track Club just trailed them in third with a score of 322.50 points.

Congratulations to ALL of the athletes who participated in the Club National Championships and a special congratulations to all of our newly crowned National Champions and All Americans! We hope to see everyone back on the track in Des Moines for the AAU Junior Olympic Games and once again at Club Championships in 2015!

To view photos from the Club National Championships CLICK HERE!