2003 Verizon Youth Series Continues to Support World's #1 Track & Field Team

"The mission of USATF is to provide vision and leadership to the sport of Athletics in the United States, and to promote the pursuit of excellence from youth to masters, from grass roots to the Olympic Games."

As typified in USATF's Mission Statement, the backbone of our organization's pursuit of excellence is our youth and emerging elite programs - grass roots outreach efforts to shape the next generation of champions and maintain our status as the World's #1 Track & Field Team.

The Verizon Youth Series is an important step toward securing that goal and building for the future.

The Verizon Youth Series includes USATF's entire youth development program, providing a platform that contributes towards the growth and development of youth track & field athletes in the United States. Included as a component of the Verizon Youth Series is the "Verizon All-American Team," composed of the top eight finishers in each race/event at the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In addition, at each USATF Verizon Youth Series event, the top boy and girl athletes will be named the "Verizon Outstanding Athlete of the Meet."

Following are the 2002 recipients of the Verizon Outstanding Athlete of the Meet awards:

  • USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships:
         Benjamin Shorey and Sanya Richards
  • Youth Athletics:
         Kerron Clement and Trisa Nickoley
  • USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships:
         Alondra Cooper and Pablo Solares
  • USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships:
         Collier & Marie Lawrence and Brock Hagerman

2002 Verizon Athlete of the Year honors went to Sanya Richards.

Be sure to follow all the action of the Verizon Youth Series on the USATF website throughout the summer and fall. And stay tuned year-round for breaking news, member benefit updates, and discounts!

Here's a look at this year's competitions:

USATF would like to thank the sponsors of the Verizon Youth Series: