Having already recovered from car accident to capture Oregon 5A state discus crown in May, Milwaukie High standout Brown regroups after being victim of traumatic hate crime July 21 to capture emotional championship victory in return to Hayward Field; Atkins rallies to edge Sukumar on last attempt in thrilling women’s 17-18 triple jump final

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

EUGENE, Ore. – There isn’t an award given to the most inspirational athlete competing at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships, but following the performance Friday by Yazmeen Brown in the girls 15-16 division discus throw final, it would be hard to argue the courage and perseverance of the incoming junior at Milwaukie High in Oregon.

Brown rallied in the fifth round to produce a throw of 137 feet, 5 inches (41.89m) to capture the national title at Hayward Field, the same venue where she secured the Oregon 5A state championship May 27 with a 140-3 (42.76m) performance.

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The fact that Brown was even able to participate at the state final was a testament to her will and determination after being sidelined for nearly two months with injuries sustained when she was involved in a car accident that resulted in the vehicle rolling over.

Brown’s ability to compete Wednesday in the 15-16 shot put final – where she was 15th with a mark of 34-9.50 (10.60m) – and again Friday in the discus championship was a credit to the support of her family and throws coach Adam Schneider, along with her emotional resilience and mental toughness.

Brown was the victim of a traumatic hate crime July 21 at a friend’s birthday party, subject to physical and verbal abuse by a high school football player from West Linn, including several racist taunts and sexist remarks.

The name of the athlete has not been released, with the incident being turned over to state officials for further investigation.

Following a difficult week and challenging practices, Brown found herself in fifth place following three rounds Friday and improved to third place after a 125-1 (38.13m) performance on her fourth attempt.

Brown, a two-time Region 16 discus champion, then produced her best throw since the state final to gain the advantage and withstood an impressive final-round effort of 135-4 (41.26m) from Olivia Chamizo of Denton Guyer High in Texas, an incoming junior representing The Throwing Factory who secured runner-up honors to earn All-America recognition.

Marcus Garcia of Denton Ryan High in Texas achieved a championship for The Throwing Factory in the boys 15-16 discus throw final.

Garcia, who recently completed his sophomore year, delivered a mark of 171-2 (52.19m) on his fifth attempt, capping a round where six athletes surpassed 155 feet.

Sean Fairley, an incoming sophomore at Christian Collegiate Academy in Mississippi representing Fairley Track Club, ascended from fourth to second with his final throw of 166-10 (50.87m).

Perhaps the most dramatic moment of Friday’s schedule came in the women’s 17-18 division triple jump final, with incoming senior Cassandra Atkins of Federal Way High in Washington and Alpha Speed Academy winning on her final attempt by a 40-3.50 (12.28m) to 40-3.25 (12.27m) margin against Anika Sukumar, a recent graduate of West Linn High and a Cornell commit representing Inner Circle Track Club in Oregon.

Sukumar, who produced identical wind-legal efforts in the third and fourth rounds to take the lead, could only respond with a 39-3.25 (11.97m) leap on the final jump of the competition after Atkins elevated from third into the lead on her final attempt.

Cory Vaughan, a recent Omaha Westside High of Nebraska graduate and Iowa Western commit representing Boys and Girls of Midlands, won the men’s 17-18 triple jump crown with a wind-legal performance of 47-10.75 (14.60m) in the second round.

Vince Davero, an incoming senior at Downers Grove North High in Illinois, placed second with a fifth-round effort of 47-3.75 (14.42m).

Geron White captivated the Hayward Field crowd in the latter stages of the boys 15-16 high jump final, clearing 6-4.75 (1.95m) on his third attempt to secure the title, then deciding to take aim at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships meet record of 7-1.50 (2.17m) established in 2012 by Randall Cunningham, Jr.

White, an incoming junior at Kennedy Catholic High in Washington representing Federal Way Track Club, was unsuccessful in his three opportunities, but had the audience on the edge of their seats with every attempt.

White improved from a 6-2.75 (1.90m) clearance Monday in the high jump competition in the 15-16 decathlon, eventually placing seventh overall with 5,262 points.

Robert Campbell IV, who recently completed his sophomore year at Westfield High Indiana and representing TruElite Athletes, also produced a clutch third-attempt clearance at 6-2.75 to finish second.

Khaliq Muhammad, an incoming junior representing San Jose Track Club in California, cleared 15-9 (4.80m) on his first attempt to triumph in the boys 15-16 division pole vault final.

Aaron Kucinski, who recently completed his sophomore year at ThunderRidge High in Colorado and is representing Drift Motion Pole Vault Club, earned runner-up honors with a first-attempt clearance at 14-9 (4.50m). 

Carson Wetzel, an incoming junior at Shadow Ridge High in Nevada representing Las Vegas Speed, captured the boys 15-16 division 3,000-meter title with an impressive final lap to prevail in 8:44.02, leading 10 athletes to sub-9 performances.

Gannon Dolan of Grace Classical Christian Academy in Texas, who recently completed his freshman year and is competing for Mach 1 Track Club, took second in 8:49.76.

Evan Bruce, a recent Lewis and Clark High graduate and a Washington State commit representing Spokane Speed Academy in Washington, led from wire to wire in the men’s 17-18 division 3,000-meter final and secured victory in 8:44.61, contributing to 11 athletes achieving sub-9 efforts.

Ethan Aidoo, an incoming senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High in Indiana and representing Speed U Track Club, navigated his way through a thrilling stretch run to edge Benjamin Morales of Spokane Speed Academy and St. George’s High in Washington by an 8:51.92 to 8:51.96 margin to place second.