HASAY IS BEST OF USA YOUTH
By David Monti
(c) 2008 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.

Two-time USA junior cross country champion, Jordan Hasay, has been named Youth Athlete of the Year by USA Track & Field.

The petite, 17 year-old high school runner from Arroyo Grande, Calif., with her familiar waist-length blonde hair had a storybook year, winning both the USA cross country and 1500m junior titles, and setting a USA high school record for 1500m (4:14.50).  And while most high school athletes are taking it easy in the summer, Hasay competed at the USA Olympic Trials in the 1500m, getting through the first two rounds to place tenth in the final.  At the conclusion of that meet, she hopped on a plane and flew to the IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where she took fourth in the 1500m final.  Hasay didn't turn 17 until Sept. 12.

"I am honored to be recognized by USA Track & Field with this award," said Hasay through a media release. "I am thankful for everything that USATF does for the sport of running in our country and inspired by its outstanding dedication to its members. I'd also like to thank my family, coach, and community who always provide continued support to me."

Hasay's achievements this year were hardly surprising.  She was the silver medalist at 1500m at the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and won the USA junior title over that distance last year as well.  She also recorded a blistering 10:07.65 for two miles as a 15 year-old.

Hasay, who attends Mission Prep High School in San Luis Obispo, will receive her honor at the 2008 USATF Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev., on Dec. 6.

PHOTO: Jordan Hasay winning the 2007 USA Junior Cross Country Championships (photo by David Monti)