The Three Rivers Association would like to congratulate members on an amazing 2016 track & field season. We witnessed dozens of great performances at the local, regional and national level. Athletes set new records, won national championships and even represented Team USA in international competition!
Along with your help, we have compiled a list of nominees for the 2016 TRA Honors Track & Field Award. Started in 2015, the TRA Honors is a recognition program that celebrates the athletic achievements of association members for both the Track & Field and Cross Country seasons.
USATF Three Rivers Association members may vote* for the following individuals who have been nominated for the 2016 Three Rivers Association Honors – Track & Field:
2016 TRA Association Champion in the long jump (4.53m)
2nd place at the 2016 Three Rivers Association Championships the 100 meters (13.92)
5th place in the long jump at the 2016 Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships with a personal best of (4.62m)
Jayla Ellis – Midas Track Club – 15-16
National Champion in the 100m H (14.52) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships.
National Champion in the long jump (5.44m) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Indoor Championships
Placed 2nd in the Heptathlon (4061) and 4th in the long jump (5.17m) at the 2016 Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships.
Placed 2nd in the 55m H (8.44) and 9th in the 400m (1:02) at the 2016 Hershey Youth Indoor Championships.
2015 TRA Honors – Track & Field, Female Youth Athlete of the Year
Christen Vanwyk – Penn Hills Eagles – 13 – 14
1st in the javelin at the 2016 Three Rivers Association Championships (28.22m)
4th in the javelin at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Championships (23.31m)
28th in the javelin (23.16m) at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
First time track and field participant. Start throwing javelin in May 2016.
Genafie Brown – Nadia Track Club – 8 & Under
4th place in the 100m (16.39) and 5th place in the 200m (35.73) at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Championships
7th place in the long jump ( 3.08m) and 14th in the 100m (16.59) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships
Corinn Brewer- Valley Speedsters – 11-12
Set an Association record in the 3000m run with a time of 11:11.56 at the 2016 Three Rivers Assocation Championships. Also won the 1500m (5:18.63)
1st in both the 1500m (5:16.28) and 3000m (11:20.03) at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Championships
2nd place in the Pentathlon (2092) and 7th placed in the 80m h (14.87) at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Championships
16th in the Pentathlon (2265), 18th in the 3000m (11:32.93) and 22nd in the 1500m (5:12.94) at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Lenna Birchard – Penn Hills Eagles – 8 & Under
Set a new Association record with a 1st place finish in the 1500m (6:01.22). Also earned a 1st place finish as a member for the 4x400m relay and 3rd place in the 800m (2:58.81)
Member of 1st place 4×400 relay, 3rd place in the 1500m (6:07.54) and 4th place in 800m (2:59.31) at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Track & Field Championships
3rd place in the 1500m (5:58.65) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships
Hayzes Robinson – Stallions – 9-10
2016 Three Rivers Association Champion in the 100m (14.20) and 200m (29.57)
Undefeated outdoor season in the 100 and 200 meters
AAU Regional Champion.
MALE YOUTH ATHLETE
Alex Trower – Western PA All Stars Track Club 15-16
1st place finishes in the 100m (11.13) & 200m (22.64) at the 2016 Three Rivers Association Championships.
1st in the 100m (11.08) and 2nd in the 200m (22.61) at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Championships.
6th in the 100m (11.37) and 7th in the 200m (22.51) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships
Ayden Owens – Nadia Track Club – 15-16
National Champion in both the 400m H (53.13) and decathlon (6201) at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
1st place in the 400mh ( 54.60), 4th place in the 110m (15.21) and 6th place in the 200m (22.17) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships
Participant in 400m H at the 2016 USATF Junior Outdoor Championships – 20th place 22
2015 TRA Honors – Track & Field, Male Youth Athlete of the Year
Liam Nobbs – Nadia Track Club – 15-16
1st place in the decathlon (4943) at the 2016 USATF Region 2 Championships
2nd placed in the decathlon (5103) at the 2016 USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships
17th place in the decathlon (5011) at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Aiden Brewer – Valley Speedsters – 15-16
Five top 8 finishes at the 2016 Region 2 Championship – 2nd in the Steeplechase ( 7:33), 2nd place in the Pole Vault (3.40m), 4th place in the 3000m (10:12.08), 4th place in the decathlon (3544), 8th place in the 1500m (4:36.05)
9th in the steeplechase (6:44), 24th in the 3000m (9:44.28), and 25th in the Pole Vault (3.40m) at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
OPEN ATHLETE
Jordan Geist
Broke PA High School shot put record multiple times throughout 2016
Placed 1st in both the shot put & discus at several high profile meets including PIAA State Championships, Annual Butler Track & Field Invitational, and Knock Relays
Named Pennsylvania Gatorade Boy’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year
Colt Mack
1st place in 10,000 meter run at the 2016 Bison Outdoor Classic (31:45.58)
6th place in 5000 meter run (15:29.55) at the 2016 California University of PA Early Bird Meet
Jessie Merckle
Earned bronze medal for Team USA in the Javelin at the 2016 NACAC U23 Championships
Multiple time Division 1 All-American
2016 US Olympic Trials competitor
FEMALE MASTERS ATHLETE
Lisa Lucas
1st place W50-54 10,000m with a time of 38:15.71 at the 2016 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships. The time beat all women 40+
1st place finishes in several road races including St. Barnabas, Brookline and Steelers 5k.
Voted 2015 USATF National LDR Runner of the Year
Jo Rupp
2016 Three Rivers Association Champion in 5,000m run (19:52.93)
2nd place in W40 5,000m run (21:43.73)at the 2016 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
Donna Zukas
Multiple-event champion in the high jump, discus, hammer, javelin and shot put at the 2016 Three Rivers Association Championships.
4th place in the Outdoor Pentathlon at the 2016 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
Participated in the USA Masters Games in Greensboro, NC and National Combined Event Championships in Seattle, WA.
MALE MASTERS ATHLETE
Erick Friedman
1st place in the Men 40-44 Javelin at the 2016 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships. Earned All-American honors.
2016 Canadian National Champion in Javelin. Threw the best mark amongst all age divisions.
1st place in the Men 40-44 Javelin at the 2015 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships. Earned All-American honors.
Dick Monheim – Steel City TC
1st place in M70 5000m run (25:03.41) at the 2016 Three Rivers Association Championships
2nd place in M70 10,000m (52:30.88) run at the 2016 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
OFFICIAL
Mark Heckel
Mike Jewell
Joe Obeldobel
Richard Rouse
Ray Sasselli
Oronde Sharif
Steve Ward
COACH:
Oronde Sharif – Nadia Track Club
Two national champions at the 2016 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
5 National Junior Olympic Qualifiers
Numerous regional and national qualifiers in Team’s history
Richard and Gloria Rouse – East Allegheny Track Club
Coached several athletes who medaled at the 2016 Hershey Youth Outdoor Championships
Conducts several fundraisers to keep costs affordable to athletes
Richard serves as coach of entire team, for all disciplines, when assistant coaches are unavailable
Maurice Lucas – Midas Track Club
Won 9 national medals amongst 17 athletes
In 2016, produced 7 high school graduates who all received college track & field scholarships. Since 2009, 40 athletes have gone to college for track with athletic financial assistance.
Former athletes currently hold 9 school records at their respective Universities
Negotiated multi-year partnerships with UPMC, The Police Athletic League, and The First Tee of Pittsburgh
Chuck Carter – Penn Hills Eagles
Coach Carter was amazing keeping the team together all through the season
Coach Jon Bey – Penn Hills Eagles
Serves as a wonderful example to children
Has molded novice athletes to national qualifiers in a single season
Works hard and sacrifices evenings to coach kids
*Voting Rules – Only USATF Three Rivers members are eligible to vote. Current membership numbers will be required during the online ballot/survey submission process. Don’t know your membership number? You can look it up here. Only one (1) vote per verified Three Rivers membership will be calculated. If multiple ballots per verified TRA membership are submitted, only the first submitted ballot (based on timestamp received) will be counted. Winners in each category will be determined by popular vote. Votes must be submitted by the voting deadline to be calculated. In the event of a tie, USATF Three Rivers Board members will choose the winner. Any ballot/survey submission concerns may be directed to info@otrtevents.com.
