Prep notes: Jack Whitt wins at USA Junior Nationals

Brandon Chatmon, Ryan Aber and Robert Przybylo Comments 0
Published: June 29, 2009

Whitt wins at USA Junior Nationals

Norman North graduate Jack Whitt won the pole vault at the U.S. Track and Field Junior Nationals in Eugene, Ore., on Thursday. Whitt jumped 17- feet, 2.75 inches, defeating several collegians.

Norman North pole vaulter Jack Whitt . Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

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Whitt wins at USA Junior Nationals

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Yet, The Oklahoman Big All-City Track Athlete of the Year admitted he didn’t have his best stuff.

"I came here to win,” he told Dyestat.com. "I really wish I could have attempted at the national record one more time. I got off the plane last night, didn’t sleep very well…you can’t jump good when you don’t feel good.”

Whitt earned a berth in the 2009 Pan American Junior Games on July 31-Aug. 2 in Trinidad and Tobago.

ROBERTS EARNS TRIP TO BERLIN

Former Millwood track standout Gil Roberts finished second in the 400-meter dash at the USA Track and Field National Championships. With his top-three finish, Roberts earned a berth in the World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 15-23.

The Texas Tech sophomore ran 44.93 seconds to finish second behind LaShawn Merritt. Roberts was the lone collegian to finish in the top five.

SPARKS WINS RED RIVER BATTLE

Putnam City’s Hunter Sparks won the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament in Wichita Falls, Texas, on Thursday.

Sparks, a Wichita State signee, became the first Oklahoman to win the tournament since Jenks’ J.C. Deleon in 1997.

Sparks beat Shannon Allen of Plainview, Texas, by five strokes, shooting a final-round 72. Sparks’ best round came in the third, when he shot a 68.

The next highest Oklahoma finishers were Zach Tucker of Putnam North and Ardmore’s Seth Morgan, who finished tied for 17th place, 19 strokes back of Sparks.

Julia Wynn of McAlester was the highest state finisher on the girls’ side, finishing in 17th place, 19 strokes behind winner Sammi Stevens of Hereford, Texas.

TENNIS STARS GEAR UP

The state tennis championships are only the start of a long summer for most of Oklahoma’s top high school players.

Things are kicking into full gear in July for Bishop McGuinness stars Whitney Ritchie and Mia Lancaster.

The then-juniors helped the Irish win their 11th straight team state championship and will be playing in a tournament every week in July.

"It’s a real busy time, and it’s a real challenge. But it’s also a lot of fun,” Ritchie said.

To go along with the singles portion, Lancaster and Ritchie will be playing doubles together. Ritchie has committed to Oklahoma. Lancaster is undecided.