No Challenge On Track Too Big For Ayden Owens

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Ayden Owens comes from a big family. One of eight siblings -- five brothers and two sisters -- competition was always around.

"It was all fun and games and competing growing up. I got beaten up by my siblings, and I beat up on my little brothers," Owens said with a laugh.

The sport of track and field also began as a family thing for Owens, a senior at North Allegheny High in Wexford, Pa.

In 2010, Owens joined Nadia Track Club in Pennsylvania, with his siblings. He stuck with it because it provided a unique individual aspect.

"I used to play basketball, football, all the sports, but track was something I could take all the responsibility for," he said. "I just felt like myself on the track, it was kind of like a sanctuary for me. I'm kind of aggressive everywhere else, and track, I can clear my mind, and I love the whole individual part of it."

Flash forward to 2018 and Owens is one of the best individual high school track athletes in the country.

Owens gravitated toward the decathlon because it provides a challenge with 10 individual events. He started the pentathlon (an abbreviated version) when he was 12 years old. Last June, he won the New Balance Outdoor Nationals decathlon title scoring 7,009 points. 

"The decathlon definitely serves as the biggest challenge in track and field," Owens said. "I think it was perfect for me with my versatility on the track."

This Friday evening he'll compete in the Brooks PR Invitational in Shoreline, Wash., in the 110-meter hurdles.

At the Pennsylvania State Championships last month, he won the Class AAA 110 hurdles in 13.69 seconds, breaking his own state record. That time is currently tied for US#5. Owens added a title in the 300 hurdles (36.68) and finished second in the long jump (23-3.25).

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Programming Note: Owens' next race is next Friday at the Brooks PR Invitational, which fans can watch live on RunnerSpace beginning at 6:55 pm Eastern.

WATCH THE RACE HERE

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"He's not just a talented kid, we're talking about a kid who's willing to put in all the work," North Allegheny head coach John Neff said. "He's not just a hurdler, he's not just a good jumper, he's just an amazing athlete. I really think he could have been successful in any sport. I'm just glad he chose track and field."

Owens, who is headed to USC this coming fall to compete in the decathlon, traveled to Puerto Rico this past week to try and qualify for the World U20 Championships, scheduled for July 10-15 in Tampere, Finland. Owens is eligible to compete for Puerto Rico due to his mother’s heritage. 

Described as outgoing and down-to-earth by his coach, Owens said the goal Friday is to get out there, have some fun, meet new people, and run a PR. An individual win would be alright, too. 

“I’m just extremely competitive and impatient,” he said with a laugh. “I want it now.”