Three Big Takeaways From The USATF U20 Championships


* Zariel Macchia won the U20 Women's 5000m to punch one of her two tickets to Peru

Photo Credit: USA Today

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Over two days in Eugene, Oregon, a selection of the top athletes from the country competed at the U.S. U20 Championships at Hayward Field. 

What was at stake? 

For the top two finishers in each discipline, a ticket to the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru loomed. 

The meet did not hold back, as athletes secured their spots and scored impressive moments on the track this weekend. 

We've put together three big takeaways from U20s. Check them out below. 

ZARIEL MACCHIA CLOCKS HUGE PERSONAL BEST, WINS 5,000M AND QUALIFIES FOR WORLDS IN THE 1,500m

The New York-based junior had a meet to remember on Wednesday and Thursday, winning the national U20 title in the 5,000m and following with a runner-up finish in the 1,500m.

William Floyd's (NY) Zariel Macchia started things off by clocking 16:13.04 over 5,000m, which represented a huge 66-second improvement from her indoor time.

A day later, she followed with a time of 4:16.23 in the 1,500m. The performance was the first time she's dipped under 4:20 in her career.

She was less than half of a second back from Dylan McElhinney, a fellow New Yorker who won in 4:15.8.


OLESEN, BARKDULL STEAL SHOW IN POLE VAULT

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All spring, Andover Central (KS) senior Bryce Barkdull and St. Christopher's (VA) Victor Olesen have been going back-and-forth atop the national leaderboard in the pole vault. 

On Wednesday, though, for the first time this season, the pair had the chance to compete head-to-head at Hayward Field. 

The talented pair both cleared 17-8.5.

But it was Olesen who won thanks to his lack of misses at the previous height.

Combined, the duo has cleared 17-0 on 13 different occasions since the end of March.

The two both have a very good shot of bringing home hardware this summer.


JADEN WILEY SWEEPS 100M AND 200M

Jaden Wiley's perfect season stayed alive, as the Duluth High School (GA) senior punched his ticket to the World U20 Championships in both sprints.

Wiley, who represented ATL Zoom Track Club at U20s, entered the meet undefeated in both events, posting a 12-0 record over the season.

He'd also run personal bests of 10.28 and 20.64 in each event, both of which represented some of the fastest times in the country.

Wiley won the 100m in 10.21 on Wednesday and then followed it up on Thursday with an effort of 20.82 (-0.3). He was the only athlete to break 21 seconds.

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