Ewert follows third consecutive title in 10,000 meters at USATF U-20 Championships with another victory in first test at longer distance in New York to secure berth to race next June in Oregon

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Beavercreek OH junior Taylor Ewert, representing Southwest Ohio Track Club, set multiple national high school and American U-20 records Sunday at the National Junior 20-Kilometer Racewalk Championships in Owego, N.Y.

Ewert, 17, easily secured the standard to compete at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in her debut at the 20-kilometer distance by clocking 1 hour, 38 minutes 55 seconds, completing 20 trips around the 1-kilometer loop at Marvin Park.

Ewert took down the previous American U-20 record of 1:47.18 set in 2016 by Meaghan Podlaski, a Colonie Central NY graduate who recently competed for NCAA Division 3 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

Ewert also improved on the American U-20 15-kilometer record en route to her final mark. She passed through 15 kilometers in 1:13.50, eclipsing the 2005 mark of 1:22.05 held by Maria Michta-Coffey.

Ewert, who now boasts American U-20 and national high school records ranging from one mile to 20 kilometers, elevated to the No. 14 all-time American performer at 20 kilometers, including the third-fastest mark this year.

Ewert, a three-time USATF U-20 champion in the 10,000-meter racewalk, also ascended to No. 14 among U-20 performers globally at the 20-kilometer distance this year.

Ewert will return to the 10,000-meter racewalk on the track July 21 at the Pan Am U-20 Championships in Costa Rica, before looking to compete in another 20-kilometer event next spring in advance of the Olympic Trials in June in Oregon.

In the 40-kilometer championship competition, Shore Athletic Club swept both titles, with 21-year-old AJ Gruttadauro of NAIA school West Virginia Tech, a 2016 Brockport Central NY graduate, prevailing in 3:30.05 and Erin Taylor-Talcott the fastest female athlete and Masters competitor in 4:08.20.