Plenty of depth in women's field events for U.S. Junior National team

Triple jumpers Robinson and Moore, pole vaulters Baxter and Dingler all medal contenders in Peru, along with Wilson in shot put and hammer throw, Davis in long jump; Mason makes roster in both 100 and 200

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

If the United States is seeking depth in the women's triple jump to support Georgia junior and American record holder Keturah Orji, they might have found the future support they need in Jaimie Robinson and Jasmine Moore.

Robinson, a graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor IL, won the junior women's triple jump title Saturday with a first-round leap of 43 feet, 10.5 inches (13.37m) and was able to hold off a 43-6.5 (13.27m) final effort from Moore, a sophomore at Mansfield Lake Ridge TX, at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State.

Robinson, an Alabama signee who has jumped 44-4 this year, would have placed fifth Thursday in the USATF Outdoor Championships and Moore would have finished eighth competing at the senior level. Instead, they will be looking to sweep gold and silver July 21-23 at the Pan American Junior Championships in Trujillo, Peru.

"It's always intense because I've competed against Jasmine multiple times before, but I'm used to the feeling and I always get really pumped up. I liked it," said Robinson, daughter of former Purdue and NBA basketball standout Glenn Robinson.

"It's very special. I feel so honored and blessed because I tried to try out for the USA (Youth) team my sophomore year and I finished third and didn't even hit the standard to go to Colombia. Right now, I'm just in awe because I've come a long way."

Moore, who won New Balance Nationals Outdoor with a 43-7.25 (13.29m) performance June 17, hadn't surpassed 43 feet Saturday until her final jump.

"My legs were still a little tired from last week, but I just wanted to come out here and compete and try my best. I didn't want that to be my excuse," Moore said. "We're taking a really strong triple jump crew to Peru, so I'm really excited."

Pole vaulters Rachel Baxter of Anaheim Canyon CA and Carson Dingler of First Presbyterian Day GA will be taking their third international trip together, following the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia in 2015 and the World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland last year.

Baxter became the first athlete to repeat in the junior women's pole vault since Castilleja CA graduate Tori Anthony in 2006-07 and just the fourth in meet history with a 14-1.25 (4.30m) clearance. Dingler only needed 13-1.5 (4.00m) to secure second.

"I was just coming in hoping to qualify, so to make it with (Carson) for a third time, it's so special," Baxter said. "I feel the best right now that I have the past two years, so I'm excited to see where Peru can take me."

Baxter, a Virginia Tech signee, and Stephen F. Austin commit Dingler will also be reunited on the U.S. Junior National team with Agoura CA graduate Tara Davis, who won the long jump and 100-meter hurdles Friday and then tried to also qualify to compete Aug. 4-13 at the IAAF World Championships in the long jump, but placed fifth Saturday in the women's long jump at the USATF Outdoor Championships.

Davis, a Georgia signee, wasn't able to make the U.S. Junior roster last year because of a foot injury.

"(Rachel and I) have been praying for this all year. We've just wanted to clear big bars and make the team together," Dingler said. "And to make it again with Tara, who is my best friend, we travel everywhere together, even when it's not a track meet, so it's awesome to be able to travel with her again."

Miami Southridge FL graduate Symone Mason, a Miami (Florida) signee, joined Davis and Monsignor Donovan NJ graduate Alyssa Wilson in making the team in two events after winning the 200 in 23.09, just ahead of North Carolina State freshman Gabriele Cunningham in 23.26. Mason placed second Friday in the 100 final in 11.42.

"I actually didn't want to run the 200, but then after the prelims, I was like, 'Maybe I can win this thing,' so I went out and ran and won it," Mason said. "It feels great to advance in both the 100 and the 200."

Arkansas had a pair of champions with freshmen Maddy Reed winning the 1,500 in 4:21.45 and Taylor Werner closing out the meet by capturing the 3,000 in 9:35.56. Oklahoma State freshman Michelle Magnani took second to Reed in the 1,500 in 4:23.32 and Harvard freshman Judy Pendergast was runner-up in the 3,000 in 9:49.97.

Florida freshman Brandee' Johnson won the 400 hurdles in 57.27, with two more rising Southeastern Conference stars finishing first and second in the 400, as Alabama's Takyera Roberson prevailed over Texas A&M's Jaevin Reed by a 51.35 to 51.52 margin.

Bullis MD junior Masai Russell placed second in the 400 hurdles in 57.55, a two-second improvement on her personal best.

Virginia Tech freshman Sarah Edwards won the 3,000 steeplechase in 10:14.67, with teammate Laurie Barton placing second in the 800 in 2:05.09. Alexandra Harris of North Rockland NY was second in the 3,000 steeplechase in 10:25.80.

Caitlin Collier of The Bolles School won the 800 title in 2:03.63.

Chicago Heights Bloom Township IL graduate Jelena Rowe won the girls high jump with a clearance of 5-10.5 (1.79m). Sanaa Barnes of Northwest Nelson TX finished second with a clearance of 5-9.25 (1.76m).

Nebraska freshman Sydney Otto won the javelin with a fifth-round throw of 160-6 (48.93m) to pull ahead of Duke's Katelyn Gochenour at 158-10 (48.43m).

The first junior title of the day went to Beavercreek OH freshman Taylor Ewert in the 10-kilometer race walk in 51:12.42. Lauren Harris of Sachem East NY took second in 52:47.84.