Fifteen young athletes from the Napa Track Club traveled to Santa Clara to compete in the UMOJA Invitational. This two-day meet featured age-based competition for boys and girls ages 8-14, and served as a regional qualifying meet for USA Track & Field’s junior program. Over 700 competitors from all over Northern California participated in the event.

Several outstanding performances were recorded by club athletes. Three individuals were event winners, and a total of five club members set marks that qualify them for entry into the 2008 Youth National Championships. The National meet takes place June 24-29 in Charlotte, N.C.

Erin Mills had a tremendous day, winning the bantam (9-10) girls turbo javelin with a National Meet qualifying toss of 54-1. She also recorded fifth-place finishes in the 1500-meter run and in the high jump.

Her sister, Jamie, who was participating in her first meet with the club, also had a qualifying turbo throw. Her mark of 62-0 was good for a fourth-place finish in the midget (11-12) girls division.

Taylor Hollabaugh, who also competes in the midget girls division, was the winner in the 1500-meter racewalk competition. Her time of 9:48 was good enough to qualify her to move on to the National Championships. She also set a personal record and finished third in the 1500-meter run with a time of 5:45.

Cameron Vaziri also qualified in the 1500-meter racewalk. His time of 11:30 was good for a first-place finish in the bantam boys division, and also met the criteria to move onto the National finals.

The fifth club member to record a qualifying mark was Kyle Beaver. Competing for the first time in the discus, he recorded a toss of 75-5. That throw earned him second-place honors in the midget boys division. He also recorded a personal record in the 800-meter run (2:54).

Several other club members had solid efforts, either with high finishes in their events or by recording personal records. Sophia Marseilles and Morgan Snow both recorded new personal bests in the bantam girls long jump.

In the midget boys division, Grant Smith had a personal record in the long jump. Cameron Wallenbrock had a sixth-place finish in the high jump, and also recorded a new best time in the 800-meter run. Tom Salsman had a third-place finish in the discus and placed seventh in the turbo javelin.

In the youth (13-14) girls division, Mackenzie Mills ran to personal bests in both the 1500 meter (5:53) and 3000 meter (12:12) runs.

The youth boys were led by Brendan Cardey, who had a third-place finish in the javelin, an eighth in the long jump, and also recorded a personal best in the high jump. Chris Bozzini had a fourth-place finish in the javelin, while Kennedy Salsman finished sixth in that event.

The club’s next meet will be held May 10 in Union City.