Caribbean Scholastic Invitational 2008

Photo credit: Don Rich/MileSplit.us Day one 5K results | scrunners.com is now in Greensboro, N.C. for Nike Outdoor Nationals. scrunners.com and MileSplit.us will provide onsite coverage throughout the meet. More details inside and more state track and field news coming this week. Inside: Dorman's Rowland, Mann's Nelson named Gatorade Athletes of the Year

**Christine Babcock (Woodbridge, CA) Runs 4:16.42 to Break Prep 1500m Record!!! Full Results **Rob Finnerty (Burnsville, MN) Runs Mile in 4:01.09 at Midwest Distance Gala, U.S. #7 A-T!!! Full Results **Jeff Demps (South Lake, FL) Blazes 10.03w for 100m!!! The New York State T&F Championships lead the way in this weekend's highlight section. The last state meet of the year kicked off Friday with some excellent results. In the girls 400m hurdles, Dalilah Muhammad (Benjamin Cardoza, NY) bested Elizabeth Mott (New Rochelle, NY) over the final hurdle to beat Mott with a new U.S. #1 time of 57.81. Mott's time of 58.01 earned her the U.S. #2 spot. More results and highlights inside and coming throughout the weekend. Top Boys Weekend Highlights - Rob Finnerty (MN) 4:01.09 mile at the MDG Results / Video / Splits - Jeff Demps (FL) runs a 10.03 (2.2 wind) against elite competition - Ryan Fleck (OH) clears 7-02 HJ at Midwest Meet of Champs., U.S.#2 - John Guagenti (OH) blazes 46.95 for 400m at Midwest MOC - Walter Luttrell (OH) breaks nine for 3200m in 8:59.81 effort at MMOC - David Slovenski (ME) soars 16-09 in boys pole vault at NE Champs. - Brett Johnson (NJ) runs 4:08.51 mile, breaking NJ jr. class record - Albert Johnson (NY) NY State victories of 48-07.50 TJ, 23-02.75 LJ Top Girls Weekend Highlights - Christine Babcock (CA) 4:16.42 1500m, U.S.#1 all-time Results - Becky O'Brien (ME) U.S.#1 shot put in 51-06.50 at NE Champs. - Meshawn Graham (OH) runs 53.56 for 400m at Midwest MOC - Candyce McGrone (IN) 11.78 100m, 23.65 200m at MMOC - Dalilah Muhammad (NY) blazes 57.81 in 400mH at NY State, U.S.#1 - Elizabeth Mott (NY) second in 400mH with 58.01 effort, U.S.#2 - Emily Lipari (NY) wins 3k at NY State in 9:37.53, 1500m in 4:30.58 Top Meets of the Weekend: Midwest Distance Gala / Midwest Meet of Champions / New England T&F Championships / NY State T&F Championships / Caribbean Scholastic Invitational

Junior Justin Shirk of Central Dauphin took his arm and javelin to the Caribbean Scholastic Invitational and came away with gold in his final tune-up for USATF Junior Nationals next week in Ohio. Gwynedd Mercy middle distance specialist Taylor Bumpas took 2nd in the 800, while Methacton thrower Wesley Lavong was 2nd in the shot put. Earlier in the week on Tuesday at the Pete Wright On Track All-Comers Meet in Maryland, Shippensburg's Neely Spence deomonstated that she is quite ready to challenge for the win at the upcoming Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 2-mile run. ADDED JUNE 15: 12 "Run Like A Champion" Videos from the June 6 PA Distance Festival at West Chester Henderson HS NOTE: If you'd like to send me Pennsylvanian's in the finals at the NCAA Division I Championships, I'll add those to this week's coverage. Yep, I saw those great races by Latavia Thomas (LSU/West Catholic) 2nd in the 800 in 2:04.38, and by Craig Miller (Wisconsin/Manheim Township), 4th in the 1500 in 3:42.67.

Five Virginians have been selected and will be competing this weekend in Puerto Rico against international competition at the third annual Caribbean Scholastic Invitational. All athletes come from the Tidewater area with four-time AAA state champion sprinter Marlena Wesh (pictured above by Ted Plunkett) of Landstown and Norfolk Collegiate star freshmen Nefertiti Smith as the female representatives from the state, while a trio of Eastern Region quarter milers will be competing for the Team NSSF in Nike All-Americans Curtis Campbell of Grassfield and Taylor Sykes of Great Bridge as well as Bethel's Austin Cuffee. All athletes travel expenses will be covered by the National Scholastic Sports Foundation, who selected them for the competition this Saturday in Carolina, Puerto Rico (suburbs of San Juan). Caribbean Scholastic Invitational Meet Website

One week to go before USATF Junior Nationals and Nike Outdoor Nationals. With such high stakes on the line in one week, many athletes are traveling around the country testing their limits one last time. The New York State T&F Championships is the last state meet of the season, while regional championships in the Midwest Distance Gala, Midwest Meet of Champions and New England Champs. showcase many of the nation's best. See what's taking place at each meet this weekend in our weekly weekend preview. MileSplit Meet Pages: Midwest Distance Gala / Midwest Meet of Champions / New England T&F Championships / NY State T&F Championships / Caribbean Scholastic Invitational

Mann sophomore Briana Nelson and Pendleton sophomore Jasmin Stowers have been selected to compete at the Caribbean Scholastic Invitational in Carolina, Puerto Rico.