Pimley Saves Her Breath for Junior Record

Some 13-year-olds have a way with words, especially after setting national records.

Consider Jill Pimley of Lyle, Wash., who set a U.S. record with 3,351 points in the youth girls’ pentathlon Tuesday at the Junior Olympics track and field championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

How did she feel about breaking the record?

“Happy,” Pimley said.

How long has she competed in track and field?

“I don’t know. A long time.”

Does she have a track role model?

“Jackie Joyner-Kersee. . . . I guess.”

Pimley will have to let her scores speak for her.

Her total--bolstered by a time of 15.89 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles, and a 5-foot-5 high jump--broke the previous record of 3,333, set by Shalynn Carr of La Verne in 1990.

Pimley easily defeated Nicole Thomas of Carson and Akira Kennett of West Hills, who had 3,005 and 2,901 points, respectively.

The only other event completed Tuesday was the youth boys’ pentathlon, won by Judson Ward, 14, of Norcross, Ga., with a personal best 2,954 points.

The victory was his fourth in a row in a major meet. This year, Ward’s second in track and field, he also won the pentathlon at the state and regional levels in meets sponsored by The Athletics Congress, and at the Youth Athletic Championship earlier this month in Auburn, Ala.

“This was by far his best (meet),” said Red Smith, his coach. “There was some pressure here.”

Today’s competition, which begins at 8:15 a.m., will include the completion of the young men’s and intermediate boys’ decathlons, and the young women’s and intermediate girls’ heptathlons.

Rosemary Harris of Windsor, Conn., leads the young women’s heptathlon after four of the seven events with 2,849 points. Heather Sterlin of Mission Viejo is fourth with 2,706 points.

Kierstin Doyle of Fowler, Ind., leads the intermediate girls’ heptathlon after four events with 3,005 points. She ran the 100-meter hurdles in 14.45 seconds and the 200 meters in 25.0 seconds.

Tage Peterson of Marana, Ariz., leads the young men’s decathlon with 3,438 points after five events, but the next eight competitors are within 200 points.

Robert Weighall of Bakersfield leads the intermediate boys’ decathlon with with 3,456 points. Danny Haag of Northridge is third with 3,110 points.