After securing Olympic Trials standard in 20-kilometer racewalk, Ewert looks to become first American female to earn medal in Pan Am U-20 event since 2007, contend for first U.S. gold in 20 years

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Taylor Ewert already accomplished the biggest goal of her young career this summer when the 17-year old qualified June 30 for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 20-kilometer racewalk.

Now, the Beavercreek OH junior will look to produce another memorable achievement Sunday when she pursues a medal in the 10,000-meter racewalk at the Pan American U-20 Championships at the National Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Ewert, representing Southwest Ohio Track Club, is making her third consecutive appearance for the Americans on the U-20 roster, joining Villanova freshman high jumper Sanaa Barnes as the only athletes on the U.S. team to compete in 2017 at the Pan American U-20 Championships in Trujillo, Peru, as well as the IAAF World U-20 Championships last year in Tampere, Finland.

“It’s crazy that I have been on the team for three years. I am really grateful to be able to have this experience not only once, but three times,” Ewert said. “Consistency plays a big part because these races are important, however when I was a freshman and made my first team the goal was just to stay healthy and continue to improve year to year.

“My coaches, myself and my parents just wanted steady growth, so I could continue to improve, but also have the opportunity to qualify to these races.”

Ewert was the youngest athlete in the 10,000 racewalk final in 2017, placing sixth in 50 minutes, 1 second as the top American finisher in Peru.

Two years later, with an American U-20 record 45:57.81 and a 10th-place finish at the World U-20 Championships on her resume, Ewert is ready to renew acquaintances Sunday with several athletes she competed against in Finland.

Ecuador’s Glenda Morejon captured the bronze medal, Puerto Rico’s Rachelle De Orbeta finished seventh, Costa Rica’s Noelia Vargas Mena placed ninth and Peru’s Mary Luz Andia Aratoipe was 12th last year in Tampere, with all four athletes ranked among the top six World U-20 performers this season. Ewert is No. 9 based on her 48:24.61 effort June 23 at the USATF U-20 Championships in Miramar, Fla., capturing her third consecutive title.

“Just based off stats I have improved a lot since 2017, but I also think I’ve learned a lot along the way,” Ewert said. “Based off training, I have confidence my fitness is there and I hope that this weekend I can do a personal best and represent well. Also, at the end of the day, if the race doesn’t go as planned, you learn from it and move on. Not every race is perfect, all you can do is trust your training and try your best.”

Ewert has been at her best throughout the year, setting national high school and American U-20 records at distances ranging from one mile to 20 kilometers.

But competing in Costa Rica after setting a pair American U-20 records June 30 when she secured the Olympic Trials standard by clocking 1:38.55 in her debut at the National Junior 20-Kilometer Racewalk Championships in Owego, N.Y., should be a significant benefit for Ewert, who also eclipsed the 15-kilometer standard during the race after passing through in 1:13.50 en route to her final time.

“Going into this race after completing a 20k will be nice,” Ewert said. “I think the 20k gave me confidence that I can push myself off tired legs by myself. So looking forward to this 10k, it will be nice to see how much more I can push myself, especially since I had my first 20k.”

Ewert is also looking to end a pair of significant droughts for the American women, who haven’t secured a Pan American U-20 medal in the 10,000 racewalk since Lauren Forgues captured silver in 2007.

The U.S. hasn’t earned a Pan American U-20 women’s racewalk gold medal since Robyn Stevens prevailed in the 5,000-meter event in 1999, only the second title in meet history for the Americans, along with Sybil Perez in the 3,000 racewalk in 1984.

“A medal in Costa Rica would be amazing,” Ewert said. “Winning USA races is great as well, but there’s something special about going overseas to represent your country and trying to earn a medal. It will be tough to place top three this weekend, but I am ready and excited for the challenge.”