Santa Barbara Track Club Sends Three to Compete for Team USA at Thorpe Cup

Lindsay Schwartz and Lindsay Lettow join seven woman roster to compete at the USA vs. Germany Thorpe Cup beginning Friday, July 29 in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Barbara Nwaba to compete in select events in tune up to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro; Financial support for SBTC continues to be raised in record numbers

Thorpe Cup Heptathlon Media Guide

Thorpe Cup Live Results

SBTC Youth Club & supporters send off SBTC athletes at the Santa Barbara Airport

Santa Barbara, Calif. – While the Olympic Games in Rio grab the public's attention, athletes representing Team USA stretch around the world during the summer to represent the United States in select international competitions. After strong competitions during the USA Olympic Track & Field Team Trials earlier this month, the Westmont College based ABEO Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC) athletes Lindsay Schwartz and Lindsay Lettow were selected to join Team USA and compete in the Thorpe Cup, a unique Combined Events meet between Germany and the U.S. that dates back to 1993 and is named after famous U.S. Olympian Jim Thorpe. The Thorpe Cup will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30.

The Road to Arkansas

Schwartz, a University of South Alabama alumni and native of Watertown, WI, finished 9th in a deep Heptathlon national championship competition. Her 6036pts was a personal best as she became the third SBTC athlete to crack the 6000pt barrier in the two-day, seven-event Heptathlon. This marks her third year competing for Team USA at the Thorpe Cup and enters the competition as the reigning bronze medalist; she also earned a bronze medal in 2013.

While Lettow, a Central Missouri alumni and native of Urbandale, IL, fell just shy of her personal best and 6000pts at the USA Olympic Track & Field Trials, her 5960pts put her in 10th place, right behind teammate Schwartz, grabbing a Team USA roster spot for the sixth consecutive year. Lettow, a veteran on the squad will look to earn her first medal in Fayetteville.

Also listed as an alternate for the Thorpe Cup is SBTC's Tom FitzSimons, Jr. to represent Team USA in the Decathlon.

Thorpe Cup Event Record Holder, Nwaba Tunes Up on Road to Rio

The road to Rio de Janeiro and the 2016 Olympic Games has truly begun for Barbara Nwaba who departed Santa Barbara with her teammates earlier today. Nwaba will compete at select events at the Thorpe Cup, serving as a tune-up for the Olympic Games. As of time of publication she is entered to compete in the 100m Hurdles, Shot Put and Long Jump. Nwaba is the 2014 Thorpe Cup champion and event record holder with 6205pts, which she set that year in Marburg, Germany.

SBTC Hosts Successful Pathway to the Podium & Launches Online Store

On Saturday, July 23 SBTC hosted a community fundraiser that comprised of an obstacle course and various track events celebrating Nwaba's path to the Olympic Games. SBTC wishes to thank the entire Santa Barbara community who has supported its athletes not only in 2016, but the previous four years, helping to launch the Club and its rapid ascent in Track & Field. Record number of funds have been raised to support Nwaba's trip along with those of SBTC's Executive Director & Head Coach Josh Priester and team physical therapist and chiropractor Dr. Ernie Ferrel. Additional donations raised beyond the cost of the trip will support the continued growth of SBTC's Youth Track Club and community programming for years to come.

Donate online to the SBTC! Shop SBTC Gear to show your support!

ABOUT SBTC

The Santa Barbara Track Club aims to create a progressive and cohesive Track & Field experience for members of our community from youth to masters as well as the development of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls alike. The professional athletes are composed of combined events athletes and middle distance athletes who also work within the community by serving as coaches and mentors to youth. The coaching and personal training efforts of the athletes help to fund the continued growth of Santa Barbara as an international training hub as well as to promote cultural exchange and shared education.

Nwaba Claims U.S. Title & Spot on Olympic Team

Barbara Nwaba wins second U.S. title and earns first Olympic spot in the Heptathlon. Schwartz and Lettow 9th and 10th respectively U.S. Track & Field Olympic Team Trials Results

Event 7 - 800m

The rain held out for the Heptathletes to enjoy their seventh and final event and for Nwaba it was a memorable two laps around historic Hayward Field at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Nwaba's 2:11.71 (940pts) earned her a total of 6494 points over the two day Heptathlon competition. While it was six points shy of her best, it was more than enough to clinch her second U.S. Heptathlon title and her first U.S. Olympic Team spot. Nwaba will be joined in Rio by Heather Miller-Koch (6423pts) of Central Park TC and Kendell Williams (6402pts) from Georgia.

With a 2:14.29 (903pts) 800m, Schwartz would set a personal best Heptathlon score of 6036pts, maintaining her ninth place position and marking her first time over 6000pts. Lettow finished right behind her with a 2:14.64 (898pts) and 5960pts overall good for 10th place. Hawkins would complete her Heptathlon competition with a 2:24.76 (760pts) and 5720pts overall, placing her 15th.

Event 6 - Javelin

Nwaba returned to the top spot on the overall leaderboard with a final round throw of 49.19m / 161' 4" (844pts) netting her 5554 total points. Schwartz also moved up the overall rankings to ninth place with her throw of 41.06m / 134' 8" (697pts) and 5133 total points. Lettow would also move up one spot to tenth in the overall rankings with 5062 total points after a throw of 42.20m / 138' 5" (710pts). Rounding out the SBTC athletes, Hawkins would maintain her 12th place position on the overall leader board with 4960pts.

With one event remaining Nwaba is in good position to win the overall title as one of the best 800m runners in the field. She has a 40 point lead over NCAA Champion Kendall Williams of Georgia.

Event 5 - Long Jump

Taking a safe jump on her second attempt, Nwaba leaped out to 5.86 / 19'2.75" (807pts). Her four event total of 4710pts put her in fourth overall with a couple of strong Long Jumpers in the field out leaping the defending champion.

Schwartz would jump well with a 6.12m / 20'1" (887pts) on her last jump of the event moving up to 8th through five events with 4436pts. Lettow jumped at her personal best of 6.18m / 20'3.5" (905pts) and ended the event with the fourth best leap as well as moved her into 11th position with 4352pts. Hawkins jumped out to 5.83m / 19'1.5" (798pts) and through five events was in 12th place with 4334pts.

Event 4 - 200m

At 200m Nwaba would register the third fastest time of the field with a 24.17 (964pts). Schwartz would also run well, just off her personal best with a 24.19 (963pts); the fourth fastest time of the day.

Nwaba concluded day one of the seven event Heptathlon competition in first place with a personal best day one score of 3903 points. She would lead the competition ahead of NCAA Champion Kendall Williams (3892pts) from the University of Georgia. Schwartz concluded day one in 10th place (3549pts), Hawkins in 12th (3536pts) and Lettow in 13th (3447pts) to round out the SBTC squad.

Through three events, Nwaba leads the competition, Hawkins moves up to 9th (2650pts), Schwartz is in 13th (2586pts) and Lettow 15th (2547pts).

Event 3 - Shot Put

It took three throws to get a mark out past the 46' foot mark, but Nwaba did just that with a 14.16m / 46'5.50" (805pts) toss on her final throw. It would put her in first place overall with 2939pts followed closely behind by Sharon Day-Monroe with 2901pts through three events. Schwartz bounced back from her High Jump tossing the sphere 13.52m / 44'4.25" (762pts). Hawkins set a life time best with a throw of 12.80m / 42'0" (714pts) while Lettow would get the shot put out to 12.09m / 39'8" (667pts).

Event 2 - High Jump

Nwaba set the Hayward Field Heptathlon record and also tied the Olympic Trials record with a 1.90m / 6'2.75" (1106pts) jump, catapulting her into third place over all with 2134pts through two events. Hawkins would jump 1.75m / 5'8.75 (916pts), Lettow 1.72m / 5'7.75" (879pts) and Schwartz 1.66m / 5'5.25" (806pts). Hawkins and Lettow sit in 10th (1936pts) and 11th (1880pts) place respectively.

Event 1 - 100M Hurdles

In the first heat of the competition Schwartz and Lettow led the charge into a -2.9 headwind racing to 13.72 (1018pts) and 13.84 (1001pts) respectively. In heat two, Nwaba would run a strong opener in 13.65 (1028pts) while Hawkins (1020pts) would race to a 13.71.

SBTC Heptathletes Set to Compete

Four SBTC Heptathletes will begin competition on Saturday, July 9 in Eugene, OR. Barbara Nwaba enters the seven-event, two-day Heptathlon ranked number one and will seek to defend her 2015 U.S. national title while also earning first Olympic roster spot. Lindsay Lettow (#10), Lindsay Schwartz (#13) and Chari Hawkins (#19) join Nwaba with not only their Olympic dreams on the line, but coveted Team USA roster spots for international competitions later in the summer.

Youngberg Wins Long Jump at U.S. Paralympic Trials; FitzSimons, Jr. 14th in Decathlon at U.S. Olympic T&F Team Trials

Lexi Youngberg awaits selection for 2016 Olympic Paralympic Games in Rio; SBTC's FitzSimons, Jr. first SBTC athlete to compete at U.S. Track & Field Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, OR; defending U.S. national champion Barbara Nwaba along with teammates Lindsay Lettow and Lindsay Schwartz set to begin competition in the Heptathlon in Eugene on Saturday, July 9

U.S. Track & Field Paralympic Olympic Team Trials - Results

U.S. Track & Field Olympic Team Trials - Results

Youngberg Earns U.S. Long Jump Title

Charlotte, NC—23 year old Lexi Youngberg (T44), who recently joined the ABEO / Santa Barbara Track Club became the squads latest U.S. national champion after clinching the Long Jump title at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials in Charlotte, N.C. Youngberg leaped out to 4.31m / 14' 1.75" on her second of six jumps. She also competed in the 100m finishing 5th in 15.01 seconds as well as the 200m where she finished sixth in 31.66.

Youngberg's jump of 4.31m gave her an AQS Qualification mark for the 2016 Rio Paralympics and is awaiting selection.

FitzSimons Finishes 14th in Decathlon

Eugene, OR—ABEO / Santa Barbara Track Club's Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. fought strongly during the ten-event, two-day Decathlon competition finishing in 14th place with 7392 points at the 2016 U.S. Track & Field Olympic Team Trials. Just off his best in a couple of his events, FitzSimons, Jr. logged a personal best in the Shot Put tossing it 13.12m / 43' 00.50". One of the best 1500m runners in the Decathlon field FitzSimons, Jr. would also finish third in the final event in 4:23.16.

Ashton Eaton (OR / Oregon Track Club) who trains periodically in Santa Barbara claimed his fifth U.S. Outdoor Decathlon title with 8750 points. He will look to defend his Olympic title in Rio later this summer.

SBTC Heptathletes Set to Compete

A trio of SBTC Heptathletes will begin competition on Saturday, July 9 also in Eugene, OR. Barbara Nwaba enters the seven-event, two-day Heptathlon ranked number one and will seek to defend her 2015 U.S. national title while also earning first Olympic roster spot. Lindsay Lettow (#10) and Lindsay Schwartz (#13) join Nwaba with not only their Olympic dreams on the line, but coveted Team USA roster spots for international competitions later in the summer.

Additional Santa Barbara Notables

2007 UCSB graduate, Stephanie Rothstein, finished 20th in the 10,000m final in 34:27.48. 2012 UCSB graduate, Ryan Martin, fighting injuries did not advance out of the first round in the 800m. 2007 UCSB graduate, Amy Haapanen, competes in the Women's Hammer Throw on Wednesday, July 6 @ 3:00pm.

Nwaba 5th at Hypo Meeting in Olympic Preview

Barbara Nwaba top American at Gotzis, Austria at the most prestigious multi-event on the calendar outside the Olympic Games; Canadians Brianne Theisen-Eaton and Damian Warner win overall titles

Results: 42nd Hypo Meeting – Gotzis, Austria

IAAF News & Summaries

Gotzis, Austria—The world's best multi-event athletes descended once again on the small town of Gotzis, Austria for the 42nd annual Hypo Meeting, the most prestigious multi-event on the calendar outside of the Olympic Games. For Santa Barbara Track Club's Barbara Nwaba it was another great step on her road to Rio as she rallied on the second and final day of competition to finish 5th place overall after entering the 800m in 8th. While her total score of 6360pts was off her top mark, it was one of her best finishes against international competition.

Two other athletes who train in Santa Barbara in the Spring also found success on their own roads to Rio claiming titles in Gotzis. 2016 World Indoor Champion, Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN) won the two-day Heptathlon competition with 6765pts. The top three spots in the Heptathlon included Theisen-Eaton's world leading mark in 2016, a Latvian national record by Laura Ikauniece-Admidina (2016 World Championship bronze medalist) and a personal best by Germany's Carolin Schafer (2008 World Junior Champion). In the Decathlon, Damian Warner (CAN) won in a world leading mark of 8523pts.

Day 1 Summary

Nwaba got off to a good start with marks of 13.75 in the 100m Hurdles (1014pts) and 6'1.25" / 1.86m the High Jump (1054pts) putting her in 6th place overall after two events. She would hit a snag in her next event, the Shot Put, with a toss of 40'11" / 12.47, well clear of her strongest throws above 48 feet. Nwaba would rally in the final event of the day, the 200m, clocking 24.04 and completing Day 1 in 9th place with 3737pts.

Day 2 Summary

Nwaba would start off the last day of competition with a Long Jump of 19'7.5" / 5.98m slipping another two positions in the overall standings with 4580pts. Enjoying new found success in the Javelin in 2016, with rain descending on Gotzis, Nwaba was able to once again shine launching the spear 156'9" / 47.78m, jumping three spots overall to 8th place with 5397pts entering the 800m.

As one of the best Heptathletes in the world at 800m, Nwaba would set the pace winning the fourth and final heat in 2:10.08 just ahead of Theisen-Eaton's 2:10.98. Her mark would catapult here three more spots to 5th place with 6360pts and ahead of Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR), the 2012 World Junior Champion and 2014 World Indoor silver medalist who finished with 6304pts.

Schwartz & FitzSimons Jr. Win 2016 Sam Adams Combined Events Invite

Santa Barbara, Calif. – Lindsay Schwartz (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) won the Heptathlon with 5991pts points and Thomas FitzSimons Jr. (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) won the Decathlon with 7576pts. Four Heptathletes earned U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifiers and USC's Amali Iuel posted the 2016 NCAA leading Heptathlon score. Below, we've provided a summary of each event organized by time schedule. For the Day 1 Summary, please click here. The 5th Annual Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational is held on April 1-2, 2016 at Westmont College's Thorrington Field in Santa Barbara, CA. The event is hosted by the Santa Barbara Track Club.

• Results & Heat Sheets
• Events Timetable, Overview & History
• Road to Rio Symposium - April 2 - Tickets on Sale Online & at the Door

DECATHLON - 110M HURDLES

Kicking off the final day of competition, Josue Louis (USA) put up over 900pts with a time of 14.58. Santa Barbara Track Club teammates, Thomas Hopkins (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club), Calvin Sullins (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) and Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) took the next three spots running 14.83, 14.86 and 15.01 respectively.

Tyler Nelson (USA / UC-Santa Barbara), the leader after Day of competition ran 15.33 good for the eighth spot earning 810pts to maintain his lead through six events with 4716pts.

DECATHLON - DISCUS

In the shadows of the event's youth events, which invited young athletes from throughout Santa Barbara County, the Discus was next up for the Men. Canada's Patrick Arbour (Ottawa TC) took the Discus title with a throw of 47.05m (154'04.25") and earned 809pts. Followed closely behind was Santa Barbara Track Club's Derek Masterson who went for 46.41m (152'03.00") and 796pts. The scores would catapult them from 6th and 7th respectively in the overall competition to 2nd (5350pts) and 3rd place (5246pts).

Guest athlete Ashton Eaton (USA / NIKE Oregon Track Club) competed in his second event of the competition with a throw of 42.60m (139'09.00"), the third farthest throw of the morning.

Nelson would continue to lead the Decathlon with 5365pts.

HEPTATHLON - LONG JUMP

The women would begin their afternoon in the Long Jump, which saw Santa Barbara Track Club's Lindsay Lettow (USA) set a life-time best leap of 6.15m (20'02.00") earning 896pts. Lettow would move up to 5th place in the competition. Amalie Iuel (Norway / USC) and Chari Hawkins (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) would tie for 2nd and 862pts with jumps of 6.04m (19'09.75").

Hawkins' performance would push her into the lead with 4458pts ahead of Nia Ali (USA) with 4407pts. Ali, the recent IAAF World Champion at 60m Hurdles in Portland, OR is competing in her first Heptathlon since 2009 during her collegiate career for the USC Trojans.

DECATHLON - POLE VAULT

FitzSimons Jr. would set a personal best of 4.80m (15'08.75") to lead the competition and move into second place overall with 6090pts. Arbour would finish second with a vault of 4.50m (14'09.00") catapulting him to first in the Decathlon with 6110pts. Derek Masterson (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) would also vault 4.50m (14'09.00") to move up to third on the overall leader board with 6006pts.

HEPTATHLON - JAVELIN

2015 U.S. Heptathlon Champion, Barbara Nwaba (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club), led the field with a huge 13 foot personal best, tossing the javelin 50.40m (165'04.25"). Tiffeny Parker (USA / Texas Express Track Club) would take the second spot with a throw of 45.52m (149'04.00") followed by Santa Barbara Track Club's Annette Fleming (GER) who had a mark of 44.85m (147'01.75").

Hawkins would continue to lead the field with 5063pts, but by a small margin with teammates Lettow and Schwartz scoring 5062 and 5054 points respectively through six events.

HEPTATHLON - 800m

With less than 40 points separating the top four athletes heading into the 800m, the final event of the competition would prove to be an exciting one. The Heptathletes also had their eyes on the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark of 5900pts. With the Youth Challenge finishing up, hundreds of fans stayed to cheer on the Heptathletes.

Leading from wire-to-wire, USC's Iuel would cross the line in 2:08.41, just ahead of Kiani Profit's (USA / Chula Vista Track Club) 2:08.77. Iuel's mark would set almost a 200pt person best propelling her to 5th place with 5799pts, a mark that currently leads all NCAA Division athletes. Profit would finish in 4th place overall with 5977pts, over the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying mark.

Just behind the top two in the 800m, Schwartz would finish 3rd with a personal best of 2:11.93, not only earning her 937pts, but catapulting her to the 2016 Sam Adams Combined Events Invite title, which she also won in 2014. Teammates Lettow and Hawkins would finish 4th and 5th respectively with times of 2:12.66 and 2:15.01. Lettow finished 2nd overall with 5988pts and Hawkins 4th with 5956pts, both also qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

DECATHLON - JAVELIN

The ninth event of the Decathlon saw Toshiki Sakamoto (JPN / Kanoya Sport University) launch a big personal best of 68.01m (223'01.50") to out distance the field by over twenty-five feet and over 100pts. His mark would put him in third place heading into the final event of the two-day competition with 6738pts.

Arbour would finish second in the Javelin with a throw of 59.53m (195'03.50") putting him in first place overall with 6841pts. Masterson would round out the top three tossing the Javelin 59.37m (194'09.25") and moving him into fourth overall with 6734pts. FitzSimons Jr. would move into the second position overall with 6789pts.

DECATHLON - 1500M DASH

Heading into the final event of the Decathlon on a picture perfect late afternoon at Westmont College in the Santa Barbara foothills only 107pts separated the top four athletes. FitzSimons Jr. came into the event with one of the best 1500m marks and needing a big win to defend his Sam Adams Combined Events Invite title. He would not disappoint the crowd who passed on the NCAA Final Four to watch him post a 4:23.58 1500m win, earning him 787pts and 7576pts for the overall title.

Arbour would fend off Masterson for runner-up in the overall competition, posting 543pts with his 5:02.90 and netting him 7384pts for the Decathlon. Masterson's 4:46.07 and 643pts moved him into third place overall with 7377pts.

The Sam Adams Week of Events concludes tomorrow, Sunday, April 3 with the Road to Rio Symposium featuring Ashton Eaton (Decathlon World Record Holder & 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist), Brianne Theisen-Eaton (2016 World Indoor Pentathlon Champion), Jeff Farrell (2x Olympic Gold Medalist at 1960 Olympics, Swimming) and Barbara Nwaba (2015 U.S. Heptathlon Champion). Tickets are available online and at the door with the VIP reception beginning at 3:30pm.

2016 Sam Adams Combined Events Day 1 Summary

Santa Barbara, Calif. – After Day 1 of competition Tyler Nelson (USA / UC-Santa Barbara) leads in the Decathlon with 3906 points and Nia Ali (USA) leads in the Heptathlon with 3642pts. Below, we've provided a summary of each event organized by time schedule. The 5th Annual Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational is held on April 1-2, 2016 at Westmont College's Thorrington Field in Santa Barbara, CA. The event is hosted by the Santa Barbara Track Club.

• Results & Heat Sheets
• Events Timetable, Overview & History
• 2016 Sam Adams Week of Events Overview

DECATHLON - 100M DASH

The day began with the Decathlon 100m dash won by Toshiki Sakamoto (JPN / Kanoya Sport University) in 10.90 seconds followed closely behind by Santa Barbara Track Club's Thomas Hopkins (USA) also crossing the line in under eleven seconds with a 10.93. They would score 883pts and 876pts respectively to rise to the top of the leader board in the ten-event, two-day competition.

HEPTATHLON - 100M HURDLES

For the women, the 100m hurdles kicked off the seven-event, two-day Heptathlon and was led by 2016 IAAF World Indoor Champion at 60m Hurdles, Nia Ali (USA), who posted a 12.94 and a big score of 1133pts. Ali's mark was a Sam Adams Combined Events record as well as a Thorrington Field record, previously held by Olympian Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN / NIKE Oregon Track Club). She had previously competed as a Heptathlete for the University of Southern California and her mark put her on pace to best her 5824pts personal record set in 2009 for the Trojans.

A loaded 100m Hurdles field also saw eight other women score over 1000pts. Jessica Flax (USA / Texas Express Track Club) and Chari Hawkins (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) ran 13.28 (1083pts) and 13.30 (1080pts) respectively.

DECATHLON - LONG JUMP

In the Long Jump, guest athlete Damian Warner (CAN / NIKE), who trains in Santa Barbara prior to his outdoor season, leaped 7.52m (24'08) to win the event. Sakamoto jumped 7.13m (23'04.50") to secure his lead after two events with 845pts over Hopkins who finished third in the Long Jump with a mark of 7.06m (23'01.75") earning him 828pts.

HEPTATHLON - HIGH JUMP

Hawkins and Ali would lead the Women's High Jump clearing a height of 1.78m (5'10"), good for 953pts. Guest athlete Sharon Day-Monroe (USA / ASICS), a NCAA champion at this event in 2005 for the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mustangs, used an abbreviated seven step approach as a pre-season warm-up, clearing 1.75m (5'08.75"). Day-Monroe is also a 2012 Olympian in the Heptathlon and a seven-time U.S. champion.

DECATHLON - SHOT PUT

The Men's Shot Put featured World Record Holder and reigning Olympic gold medalist in the Decathlon Ashton Eaton (USA / NIKE Oregon Track Club), who along with his wife Brianne Theisen-Eaton, leverage the Santa Barbara spring to train for their upcoming outdoor Track & Field season campaign. Eaton, a guest athlete in the competition, kicked off his outdoor season with a toss of 15.06m (49'04.75"), just an inch off his event record set in 2015.

Right behind him in the Shot Put was Santa Barbara Track Club's Derek Masterson (USA) who went for 15.00m (49'02.50") and Patrick Arbour (CAN / Ottawa Track Club) who threw it 14.92m (48'11.25"). Arbour after three events would lead the competition with 2329pts.

HEPTATHLON - SHOT PUT

Focusing on field events to kick-off her outdoor season, Day-Monroe won the Shot Put with a throw of 14.52m (47'07.75"). Amber Metoyer (USA / Texas Express Track Club) and Annette Fleming (GER / Santa Barbara Track Club) would round out the top three with throws of 13.91m (45'07.75") and 13.77m (45'02.50") respectively. Santa Barbara Track Club's Lindsay Schwartz (USA) also had a foot and a half personal best with a toss of 13.67m (44'10.25").

After three events Hawkins was in the lead with 2684pts in a competition separated by only six points amongst the top three. Ali was in second with 2680pts and Jillian Drouin (CAN / Sarnia) was in third with 2678pts.

DECATHLON - HIGH JUMP

In the Decathlon's 4th event Calvin Sullins (USA / Santa Barbara Track Club) and Josue Louis (USA) both jumped 2.00m (6'06.75") to earn themselves 803pts and jump up to 3rd and 4th place respectively in the competition.

UC-Santa Barbara's Tyler Nelson (USA) would be the overall leader with 3041pts, follwed by Arbour who had 3025pts.

HEPTATHLON - 200M DASH

To conclude the first day of the Heptathlon competition, Breanna Leslie (USA / ASICS) would win a close race in 24.17 over Ali's 24.20. Ali's 962pts would catapult her into first with 3,642pts. Hawkins who led through three events came across the line in 24.73 and would finish day one in second place with 3,596pts.

Rounding out the top three in the Heptathlon would be SBTC's Schwartz who would run a 24.32 and score 950pts bringing her within one point of her teammate, closing out day one with 3595pts.

DECATHLON - 400M DASH

Warner would take out the field in the last event of day one winning in 46.64. SBTC's Hopkins would have the second best time of the afternoon in 47.66. UCSB's Nelson set a personal best at 400m with a 48.92 to conclude a successful first day of competition, maintaining his position atop of the leaderboard with 3906pts.

The Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational continues tomorrow with community and youth track events beginning at 8:30am. The Decathlon will begin at 10:30am with the 110m Hurdles and the Heptathlon will begin at 12:30pm with the Long Jump.

2016 Sam Adams Invite - What to Watch For

The 2016 Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational will feature a number of world-class athletes competing in the Decathlon, Heptathlon and select events. Below, please find an unofficial round-up of some of these athletes for you to plan your viewing schedule properly. Note that in a combined events competition the schedule may fluctuate and we recommend arriving 60-90mins. prior to a particular event that you would like to watch.

• Complete time-table and event information
• Event History & Records
• Road to Rio 2016 Symposium (April 3, 2016) - Tickets on Sale Now!

Nia Ali (USA) - 2014 & 2016 Indoor World Champion at 60m Hurdles

• Competing in the Full Heptathlon

Sharon Day (USA / ASICS) - U.S. Pentathlon Record Holder, 7x U.S. Champion

• High Jump - Friday, scheduled for 2:00PM
• Shot Put - Friday, scheduled for 3:45PM
• Javelin - Saturday, scheduled for 2:00PM

Ashton Eaton (USA / Nike Oregon Track Club) - Decathlon World Record Holder, 2012 Olympic Decathlon Champion, 5x World Champion

• Shot Put - Friday, scheduled for 2:20PM
• Discus - Saturday, scheduled for 11:30AM

Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. (USA / ABEO Santa Barbara Track Club) - 2015 Sam Adams Invite Champion, 2014 U.S. Decathlon Bronze Medalist

• Long Jump - Saturday, scheduled for 12:30PM
• Javelin - Saturday, scheduled for 2:00PM

Barbara Nwaba (USA / ABEO Santa Barbara Track Club) - 2015 USA Heptathlon Champion

• Long Jump - Saturday, scheduled for 12:30PM
• Javelin - Saturday, scheduled for 2:00PM

Kiani Profit (USA / Chula Vista Elite) - 2013 Thorpe Cup Champion

• Competing in the Full Heptathlon

Lindsay Schwartz (USA / ABEO Santa Barbara Track Club) - 2015 Thorpe Cup Bronze Medalist, 2015 Pan American Silver Medalist

• Competing in the Full Heptathlon

Damian Warner (CAN) - 2015 World Championship Decathlon Silver Medalist

• Long Jump - Friday, scheduled for 1:00PM
• Shot Put - Friday, scheduled for 2:20PM
• 400m - Friday, scheduled for 6:00PM
• Pole Vault - Saturdaym schedule for 2:00PM

Additional Santa Barbara Track Club Athletes Competing in Full Decathlon & Heptathlon

• Chari Hawkins - Heptathlon
• Tom Hopkins - Decathlon
• Lindsay Lettow - Heptathlon
• Derek Masterson - Decathlon
• Sarah Skipper - Heptathlon
• Calvin Sullins - Heptathlon

Santa Barbara Track Club's Nwaba Finishes 4th at IAAF World Indoor Championships

Barbara Nwaba kicks off international season with personal best 4661pts; Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton wins Gold in thrilling fashion; Ashton Eaton leads indoor Heptathlon after day 1  Official Results

PORTLAND, Ore.—In her 2016 international debut, America's Barbara Nwaba of the Santa Barbara Track Club finished in 4th place at the IAAF World Indoor Track & Field Championships in the one-day, five-event Pentathlon. Nwaba put together a consistent day of competition scoring a personal best 4661pts, eclipsing by over 200pts her best that she set en route to winning the 2016 USA Indoor Pentathlon title earlier this year.

Nwaba would kick off the day in the 60m Hurdles with a season's best 8.43 seconds. She would follow this up with a mark in the High Jump of 1.82m (5'11.5ft), less than three inches off of her personal best. In the Shot Put, the third of five events, Nwaba would launch a huge personal best of 15.00m (49'2.5ft) solidifying herself at the top of the leader board in 4th position overall. While she would then set a season's best in the Long Jump at 5.84m (19'2ft), her 11th place showing would drop her two spots overall to sixth place heading into the 800m, the final event.

Nwaba would enter the 800m favorite needing to put eight seconds on Hungary's Gyorgi Zsivoczky-Farkas as well as fellow American Kendall Williams to move back into 4th place overall. Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton, who calls Santa Barbara home in the training build up to her outdoor season, sat in third place needing to put over eleven seconds on Ukraine's Anastasiya Mokhnuyk to take home her first international gold medal.

Nwaba took out the race in 63 seconds through the first 400m with Theisen-Eaton tucked in close behind, putting meters on the rest of the field with every step. Theisen-Eaton would overtake Nwaba in the final home stretch winning in a season's best 2:09.99, while Nwaba would also earn a season's best of 2:10.07. Concluding the Pentathlon in thrilling fashion, Theisen-Eaton would put over eleven seconds on Mokhnuy and claim the gold, while Nwaba would finish over eight seconds ahead of Zsivoczky-Farkas and Williams to finish 4th, her highest finish on the world stage. Theisen-Eaton's 4,881pts set a North American Pentathlon record.

America's Ashton Eaton, who also trains in Santa Barbara in the spring with his wife Brianne, entered the indoor Heptathlon as the heavy favorite as the reigning world champion and world record holder. He would finish day one of the two-day, seven-event competition with 3564pts and the lead over Granada's Kurt Felix. The Heptathlon concludes tomorrow with the opportunity for Eaton to win his third indoor Heptathlon title.

IAAF World Indoor Championships Schedule / Results

TV Coverage Saturday, 3/19: 6:30pm-8:00pm PST on NBC Sport sNetwork (NBCSN) Sunday, 3/20: 1:00pm-3:00pm PST on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN)

Live coverage can also be streamed on your laptop, tablet or smartphone using NBC Sports Live Extra.

Nwaba Represents USA at IAAF Indoor World Championships

2015 USA Indoor Champion, Barbara Nwaba will compete on Friday, March 18 in Portland, Oregon in the one-day Pentathlon competition; Oregon Track Club's Ashton Eaton (USA) and Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN) favorites in the Heptathlon and Pentathlon respectively PORTLAND, Ore.—For the first time since 1987, the world's best Track & Field athletes will compete on U.S. soil in Portland, Oregon from March 17–20 for the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Among those representing the United States is Santa Barbara Track Club's (SBTC), Barbara Nwaba, the reigning U.S. Pentathlon champion.

Nwaba will enter the one-day, five-event Pentathlon on Friday, March 18 as the ninth ranked athlete in the international field of 12. She has a personal and season's best of 4415pts, which she achieved just a few weeks ago at the USA Indoor Championships. In 2015, Nwaba earned her first U.S. title at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the seven-event Heptathlon as well as her first World Championship roster spot. In that banner year she would set a personal best of 6500 pts, the #6 All-Time mark in the U.S.

Also competing in Portland this weekend are familiar faces to Santa Barbara, Oregon Track Club's Ashton Eaton (USA) and Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN). Track & Field's married power duo have been SBTC's guests for the last couple of years, leveraging Santa Barbara's mild spring to train prior to the start of the outdoor Track & Field campaigns. Both enter this weekend's competitions as their event favorites with Eaton eyeing his own world record in the seven-event Heptathlon (6645pts), while Theisen-Eaton has her target set on earning her first international gold medal.

IAAF World Indoor Championships Schedule / Results

TV Coverage Friday, 3/18: 9:30pm-11:00pm PST on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Saturday, 3/19: 6:30pm-8:00pm PST on NBC Sport sNetwork (NBCSN) Sunday, 3/20: 1:00pm-3:00pm PST on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN)

Coverage can also be streamed on your laptop, tablet or smartphone using NBC Sports Live Extra.

Friday, March 18 - Pentathlon Schedule of Events 10:30am PST - 60m Hurdles 12:10pm PST - High Jump 2:25pm PST - Shot Put 5:15pm PST - Long Jump 8:10pm PST - 800m

5th Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational Hosted by SBTC Kicks off Olympic Year

April 1st and 2nd competition returns World record holder & Olympic Champion, Ashton Eaton, for season debut as well as three World Championship medalists; FREE Youth Clinic on March 30; ‘Road to Rio’ symposium with Olympic athletes to conclude the week’s festivities on April 3 SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –  The 5th Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational hosted by the Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC) will once again assemble one of the best multi-event fields on American soil to kick-off the Olympic year. The two-day competition will be held April 1-2 at Westmont College with the men  competing in the Decathlon and women in the Heptathlon, which are composed of ten and seven disciplines respectively.

Playing host to the “World’s Greatest Athletes”, the Men’s Decathlon will feature  2012 Olympic champion and world record holder, Ashton Eaton (USA) and Canadian national record holder Damian Warner. The two athletes are favored to be on the podium in the Rio Olympic finals later this summer. In the Women's Heptathlon, IAAF World Championship medalists Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN), and reigning U.S. Outdoor Heptathlon Champion, SBTC’s Barbara Nwaba (USA) highlight the field of competitors.

“The SBTC and Westmont College are happy to host the combined events Olympic season debut at the Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational,” commented Josh Priester, Executive Director of the SBTC and Assistant Coach at Westmont College. “With the support of Westmont and the Santa Barbara community this event has been elevated to an international level competition in just five years. In celebration of the 5th anniversary we are happy to announce the addition of the inaugural Sam Adams community and youth events.”

In addition to the elite competition, the SBTC will host a number of community events throughout the week:

March 30: Santa Barbara Youth Track & Field Clinic

Featured athletes from the Sam Adams Invite will also once again host the Santa Barbara Youth Track & Field Clinic on Wednesday, March 30 at 5:00pm. The clinic is a FREE event for all children ages 7-14 made possible by Bryant & Sons, Ltd. and will take place at Westmont College’s Thorrington Athletic Field. No pre-registration is necessary for this event. For more information visit: http://santabarbaratc.com/sbtc-youth-clinic/

April 1-2: Inaugural Sam Adams Community Races

Open and Masters athletes are invited to compete in the Inaugural Sam Adams Community Races being held on Friday and Saturday April 1-2 on the same track as their favorite Olympians and Olympic hopefuls. Events being offered include the Open 5K, Open Mile and the Open Javelin.  Registration is $20 and includes a Sam Adams Invite collectible t-shirt. The deadline to register is Friday, March 25, 2016.  For more information visit: http://santabarbaratc.com/sam-adams-youth-community-races/

April 2: Inaugural Youth Triathlon Challenge and Youth 1 Mile run

Two youth-oriented events will also highlight the competition on Saturday, April 2—the Inaugural Youth Triathlon Challenge and Youth 1 Mile run. The Youth Triathlon Challenge will include the 100m Dash, Long Jump and Jr. Javelin/Softball Throw, events that are aimed at putting to the test the skills which were taught at Wednesday’s FREE clinic. The Youth Challenge and Youth 1 Mile run has a maximum field of 100 children. Registration is $15 and includes a Sam Adams Invite collectible t-shirt. For more information visit: http://santabarbaratc.com/sam-adams-youth-community-races/

April 3: Road to Rio Symposium

The Sam Adams week of events will conclude on Sunday, April 3 at 5:00pm at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion with a “Road to Rio” symposium sponsored by local fitness apparel brand Rabbit, featuring Olympian guest speakers who both train in and call Santa Barbara home. We invite attendees to get up close and personal with your favorite Olympians in an intimate setting and hear them share their personal experiences of their Olympic journey. Guest speakers include:

• Ashton Eaton - 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist & World Record Holder, Decathlon
• Brianne Theisen-Eaton - 2015 World Championship Silver Medalist, Heptathlon
• Jeff Farrell - 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming
• Barbara Nwaba - 2015 U.S. Champion, Heptathlon

VIP and General admission tickets are now available for sale.  For more information on the “Road to Rio” symposium visit: http://santabarbaratc.com/road-to-rio-2016/.

All proceeds from the Sam Adams Invite week of festivities supports the Santa Barbara Track Club, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For sponsorship inquiries please contact Justine Diaz at justine@bringbackthemile.com.

About the Santa Barbara Track Club

The Santa Barbara Track Club aims to create a progressive and cohesive Track & Field experience for members of our community from youth to masters as well as the development of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls alike. The professional athletes are composed of Track & Field athletes who also work within the community by serving as coaches and mentors to youth.  The coaching and personal training efforts of the athletes help to fund the continued growth of Santa Barbara as an international training hub as well as to promote cultural exchange and shared education.

Nwaba Wins 2016 U.S. Indoor Title

Santa Barbara Track Club women take three of four podium spots; nine total SBTC athletes mark largest qualifying team at U.S. Combined Events Indoor Championships; Nwaba set to compete at IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, OR in March; SBTC welcomes new athletes and expands programming for 2016 CRETE, Neb.—The 2016 USATF Combined Events Indoor Championships, hosted by Doane College on February 25-27, marked the first major test for Santa Barbara Track Club's (SBTC) athletes with their eye on Rio de Janeiro, site of the 2016 Olympic Games. Competing in the pentathlon, a suite of five events versus the traditional seven that marks the heptathlon competition during the outdoor season, SBTC's women, led by Barbara Nwaba, made a splash earning three of the four podium spots.

Nwaba, who is gearing up to represent the U.S. at the IAAF World Indoor Championships on March 18 in Portland, OR, earned her second U.S. title and set a personal record of 4,415pts in the Pentathlon on Saturday, outlasting Kaylon Eppinger by over 100pts. SBTC's Chari Hawkins, one of the squad's most recent additions, set a personal record of 4,225pts to finish with a bronze medal, while just three points behind, SBTC's Lindsay Schwartz took the final podium position with 4,222pts, also a personal record.

On the Men's side, Tom Hopkins finished in 8th place with 5,424pts to lead SBTC in the Men's Heptathlon competition.

In all, nine athletes represented the SBTC at the U.S. Combined Events Indoor Championships, qualifying the largest team to kick off the 2016 season. With the exception of Nwaba who will compete at World Indoor Championships, the next competition for the SBTC combined events athletes will be the 5th Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational (Sam Adams Invite) in Santa Barbara on April 1-2. The Sam Adams Invite will mark the first major outdoor competition for some of the World's Greatest Athletes on their Road to Rio, including reigning Olympic gold medalist in the Decathlon, Ashton Eaton.

SBTC Expands Beyond Combined Events, Adds Community Programs

The SBTC welcomes Benjamin Kirkwood, Jr., a Santa Barbara local High Jumper who has already jumped over 7'0ft. in 2016 and will represent the SBTC at the USATF Indoor Championships in Portland, OR on March 11-12. The team also welcomes Lexi Youngberg, a sprinter and 2016 Paralympic hopeful (T43); Youngberg represented the U.S. at the World Championship in 2015.

The SBTC has also added new community programs in 2016. These include:

• Youth Track @ Carpinteria HS
• Master Track
• Adult Group Training in partnership with Alaris Fitness

Santa Barbara Track Club Unofficially Sets High Five World Record

Over 350 community members join SBTC's Tom FitzSimons, Jr. in setting a World Record for the most high fives in sixty seconds at Westmont College; event kicks off 2016 season for SBTC Youth Track and Olympic year for its professional Track & Field athletes From Santa Barbara Track Club

Facebook Photo Album

Over 350 community members from throughout Santa Barbara County joined the Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC) on a beautiful Saturday morning at Westmont College to attempt a Guinness Book of World Records for the most high-fives given in sixty seconds. The current world record is currently 260 set in 2015 by Powell Brown, a Florida businessman.

The "High Five 400m Dash" was led by SBTC Decathlete, Tom FitzSimons, Jr., who not only organized the event, but was also the runner providing all the high fives. Starting just after 10:00am, FitzSimons, Jr. began his sixty second journey in lane 5 with participants spread out around the track in various groups waiting for him in lane six with there hands stretched out just above their heads.

The first high five went to SBTC's Executive Director, Josh Priester, followed by FitzSimons, Jr.'s fellow teammates. Getting out quickly the first 200m of the world record attempt he next received high fives from the Westmont Track & Field and Baseball teams as well as the greater Warrior community. Heading into the second turn, Santa Barbara community members, SBTC supporters and the UC-Santa Barbara Track & Field team propelled him into the home stretch where over 100 SBTC Youth Track kids and their families brought him to the finish.

Unofficially, 385 high fives were given to FitzSimons, Jr., which will set a new Guinness Book of World Records mark for the most high fives in sixty seconds. The SBTC will next supply multiple forms of videos and paperwork to get the record officially recognized.

SBTC Attempts High Five World Record

SBTC Elite athlete, Tom FitzSimons, Jr., attempts to eclipse current world record of 260 High Fives in 60 seconds on Saturday, January 23 at Westmont College; SBTC Open House welcomes all community members to kick-off the 2016 Olympic Year and Youth Track season. From Santa Barbara Track Club

On Saturday, January 23 at Westmont College, the Santa Barbara Track Club, led by Tom FitzSimons, Jr., will host the High Five 400m Dash to kick off the 2016 Olympic year with a world record attempt. However, this isn't your normal Track & Field world record—FitzSimons Jr. is looking to attempt to break the record for the most high fives set in sixty seconds, which currently stands at 260 by a Florida businessman, Powell Brown, in March 2015 according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

The entire Santa Barbara community is invited to take part in this free event. Festivities will get underway at 9:00am with an SBTC Open House to meet the athletes and learn more about its community programs, including the SBTC Youth Track program. Kids ages 7-14 will also be welcome to try events and compete in the High Five Youth Pentathlon.

World record attempt participants will be lined up around the Westmont Track at 10:00am. A raffle will follow shortly thereafter with prizes including SBTC gear, ABEO shoe gift cards, Recovery Packages from The LAB SB, Westmont College apparel, Team USA gear, Rabbit Running Apparel, Chipotle BOGO cards and other local business gift cards. Raffle tickets will be available for sale throughout the morning and kids participating in the High Five Youth Pentathlon will have the opportunity to win raffle tickets.

For more information visit: http://santabarbaratc.com/high-five-400m-dash/

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• 9:00AM - Open House & Youth Pentathlon Challenge
• 10:00AM - World Record Attempt Organization
• 10:15AM - High Five World Record Attempt
• 10:30AM - Raffle Drawing

ABOUT SBTC

The Santa Barbara Track Club aims to create a progressive and cohesive Track & Field experience for members of our community from youth to masters as well as the development of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls alike. The professional athletes are composed of combined events athletes and middle distance athletes who also work within the community by serving as coaches and mentors to youth.  The coaching and personal training efforts of the athletes help to fund the continued growth of Santa Barbara as an international training hub as well as to promote cultural exchange and shared education.

Santa Barbara Track Club Goes Global, Acts Local

Zimbabwe national record holder Keegan Cooke competes at this weekend's African Games; SBTC Youth Fall Season begins Monday with record participation; SBTC visits Santa Barbara County schools to promote physical fitness From Santa Barbara Track Club

For Coach Josh Priester's professional athletes it has been quite the summer of success and travel as athletes competed not only throughout the United States, but also Canada, China and Germany. Keegan Cooke, a Zimbabwean citizen, will add one more country to the athlete's summer passport as he represents his country at the 11th African Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

Cooke, who competed for the University of Arizona Wildcats before becoming a member of SBTC, will begin the two-day competition on Sunday, September 13. He is the Zimbabwe national record holder in the Decathlon with 7315 points, which he set in April at the Mt. SAC Relays Combined Events Invitational.

• 11th African Games Official Website & Results
• 11th African Games Webcast

SBTC Youth Fall Season Begins

With the summer winding down internationally, SBTC's focus returns to its community with the SBTC Youth Track season beginning on Monday, September 14. Coached by SBTC's professional athletes, including USA Track & Field Champion, Barbara Nwaba, the SBTC Youth program is geared towards ages 7-14 and is hosted at Westmont College.

While an incredibly fun experience at all ages, SBTC Youth also achieved great competitive success in the Spring of 2015 earning the most Gold Medals (19) and also the most Medals & Ribbons (58) of any other Youth Club at the Santa Barbara All-County Championships.

Visit the SBTC Youth page for more information and to register.

SBTC in the Community

SBTC athletes will also be visiting schools throughout the year, participating at jog-a-thons, move-a-thons, physical education classes and more! To schedule a SBTC visit at your school, please email info@santabarbaratc.com.

And stay tuned for the second annual SBTC Fall-Comers Track & Field meet at Westmont College! Tentatively scheduled for the second weekend of November, this meet is open to athletes of all ages and abilities. Go for a new personal best or try your hand at new events. All track events will be electronically times. SBTC will post more information as soon as the date is made official.

Beijing Reflections: Barbara Udoezi Nwaba

By Norm Zÿlstra, Throwholics.com My post meet reflection on the 2015 Beijing World Championships.

My first World Championships went as follows.

I had a decent hurdle race to start off the heptathlon, running a 13.59, a tenth off what I ran at USA Nationals. I was really hoping for a [personal best] since I felt great in practice and was running fast. However I knew there were six more events I had left where I could improve and put together a big score…

Unfortunately this is all a tall tale. I would have been ecstatic if things had actually went this way. The truth is I take seven steps to the first hurdle but on the opening day of Worlds I let myself take eight steps instead, jumping off the wrong leg. I tried to recover in between hurdle one and two but I was too bunched. I hit hurdle two with my lead leg and went down, smacked the track hard and rolled into lane two. I could not believe this was happening to me. Before I could even think I got back up, ran over hurdle three and four, and hit hurdle five. Down I went again and this time all I could do was stare down the track in complete shock of what had just happened. My hopes of a podium finish were over. To put things in perspective when I ran 13.49 at USAs it was worth 1052 points. 25 seconds would have given me a whopping 4 points. Somehow they clocked me finishing at 59 seconds. Only I didn’t finish the race and nor did it matter. I walked off the track in disbelief. Pain on my face, tear stricken, and feeling immensely disappointed I wanted to be anywhere but inside the Bird’s Nest.

Luckily for me I have an awesome group of people in my corner. The support I received from my coach, family and friends really helped me get through the next six events. And not only get through it but really enjoy my time out there like I should. When my coach said, “Now let’s make it your goal to feel comfortable out there because you never quite looked yourself,” and my mother said, “Dry your eyes, don’t worry. You walked away with no injuries.” Barbara+Nwaba+Ekaterina+Voronina+15th+IAAF+AGXREDnORRAlIt really put into perspective just how awesome of an opportunity I was in and that I could not let it go to waste. I was officially getting ready for Rio 2016 and what better environment could I ask for?

Continue reading at: www.throwholics.com

Nwaba Rallies in World Championships to Set Two Personal Bests

After heartbreaking fall in 100m Hurdles on Day 1, Barbara Nwaba sets personal bests in the Shot Put and Javelin in the IAAF World Championships Heptathlon From Santa Barbara Track Club

• World Championship Heptathlon Results (IAAF)
• Complete World Championship Timetable with Local Viewing Times (IAAF)
• Complete Television & Live Streaming Schedule (LetsRun.com)

The Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC) uses the phrase "Park It" to get through the grueling two-day combined events competitions. Excelling at speed, strength and endurance, getting through seven Heptathlon events is a test not only of physical, but mental fortitude. For Barbara Nwaba competing at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, her first major international championship, the phrase "Park It" would be of particular importance after a difficult fall in the 100m Hurdles, the first event of the Heptathlon.

Nwaba, who excels at the 100m Hurdles with a personal best of 13.38 set earlier this year at the Sam Adams Combined Events Invitational, lost out on valuable points by not completing the first event. However, in a show of resilience she went on to not only complete day one of the Heptathlon well, but notch a personal best in the shot put with a toss of 14.64m (48'0.5"). Her mark was good for fourth overall in the event of the 33 women competing.

On Day 2 of the World Championships Nwaba kicked things off with a good Long Jump of 6.08m (19'11.5") just six inches short of her best. She then followed it up with another personal best in the Javelin Throw, throwing the spear for the first time over 150 feet in her career going 46.59m (152'10"). While no longer in contention for a World Championship medal, Nwaba was rallying well on the second day of the Heptathlon heading into the final event.

With the 800m heats racing from lowest to highest Heptathlon point total, Nwaba was placed in Heat 1 along with another medal contender, Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR), who scratched out in the Long Jump earlier in the day. Taking the opportunity of the moment in Bejing's Birds Nest, site of the 2008 Olympic Games, Nwaba went for a big personal best crossing the half-way mark in just over 61 seconds. She slowed off the blistering first lap pace, but would hold strong to take the Heat 1 win in 2:12.20, a time which would have been close to a personal best just a year ago. Nwaba would place 5th overall in the 800m out of the 28 women still competing.

Viewers can watch the replay of the 800m Heptathlon final during coverage of Day 2's evening session at 10am PST on NBC and again at 4pm PST on Universal Sports. The IAAF World Championships continue through Sunday, August 30. Santa Barbara fixture, Ashton Eaton of the Oregon Track Club, will begin the two-day journey to defend his 2013 World Championship gold medal on Friday, August 28 (television coverage is in the evening of August 27 in the Pacific Time Zone).

OTHER SANTA BARBARA RELATED NOTABLES

• Scott Smith (USA - UCSB / Northern Arizona Elite) - Marathon, 28th place, 2:24:53
• Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN - Oregon Track Club) - Heptathlon, Silver Medal, 6554pts

SUPPORTING SBTC

As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of donors and our community outreach programs. We're proud to have one of the only track clubs in the country in which our athletes play a vital role in giving back and mentoring youth through our SB Youth Track Club and its various local programs throughout the year. They do more than simply train in Santa Barbara. They create a positive impact in the lives of area youth while we as coaches and you as donors get to support and inspire the Olympic dreams of some of the United States top heptathlon and decathlon hopefuls. You are helping athlete's dreams come true!

As we prepare to head into the championship season and the 2016 Olympic year, we would greatly appreciate your support of these fine athletes within the Santa Barbara Track Club for their travel, living expenses and training needs. All donations are tax deductible and will go towards the athletes we support.

Donate Online or By Mail

ABOUT SBTC

The Santa Barbara Track Club aims to create a progressive and cohesive Track & Field experience for members of our community from youth to masters as well as the development of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls alike. The professional athletes are composed of combined events athletes and middle distance athletes who also work within the community by serving as coaches and mentors to youth.  The coaching and personal training efforts of the athletes help to fund the continued growth of Santa Barbara as an international training hub as well as to promote cultural exchange and shared education.

Nwaba Set for IAAF World Championships

Barbara Nwaba represents Team USA and the Santa Barbara Track Club in Beijing beginning, Saturday, August 22 (August 21 PST); SBTC athletes enjoy summer of success representing their country; Santa Barbara connected athletes also shine From Santa Barbara Track Club

• World Championship Heptathlon Results & Schedule of Events With PST Time Schedule (IAAF)
• World Championship Timetable with Local Viewing Times (IAAF)
• Complete Television & Live Streaming Schedule (LetsRun.com)

The Santa Barbara Track Club (SBTC), hosted at Westmont College, has been enjoying a thrilling summer with six athletes representing their country in 2015. They are led by 2015 USA Heptathlon champion, Barbara Nwaba, who will represent Team USA in Beijing, China at the IAAF World Championships beginning Saturday, August 22 (August 21 in the Pacific Time Zone).

Nwaba's Rise to the Top, Enters World Championships Ranked 5th

Nwaba's journey to stardom began down Highway 101 in Los Angeles where she became a prep standout for University High School. Joining the UC-Santa Barbara Gaucho squad under the tutelage of Coach Josh Priester (now SBTC Head Coach), she became a 4x NCAA All-American, 6x Big West Champion and set the Big West record in the Heptathlon. Three years from her 2012 graduation she became the first Gaucho in the program's history to win a USA Track & Field title winning the heptathlon at the 2015 Outdoor Championships in Eugene, OR.

In these three short years Nwaba has improved over 500 points in the Heptathlon becoming the 6th All-Time American in the event with 6500pts, which she achieved at the USA Championships in June. She will also enter the IAAF World Championships with the 5th best mark in the world this year and 11th best personal record in the field.

Heptathlon Event by Event (All-Times Listed PST)

DAY 1
• 100m Hurdles - 8/21 @ 6:00pm PST, Universal Sports: Nwaba PB = 13.38
• High Jump - 8/21 @ 7:20pm PST, Universal Sports: Nwaba PB = 1.87m (6'1.5)
• Shot Put - 8/22 @ 3:30am PST, NBC (Noon, tape delayed) / Universal Sports (4PM, tape delayed): 14.54 (47'8.5)
• 200m - 8/22 @ 5:15am PST, NBC (Noon, tape delayed) / Universal Sports (4PM, tape delayed): Nwaba PB = 23.76

DAY 2

• Long Jump - 8/22 @ 6:00pm PST, Universal Sports: Nwaba PB = 6.23 (20'5.25)
• Javelin Throw - 8/22 @ 7:50pm / 9:05pm PST, Universal Sports: Nwaba PB = 44.47 (147'5)
• 800m - 8/23 @ 4:40am PST, Universal Sports (10am, tape delayed) / Universal Sports (4PM, tape delayed): Nwaba PB = 2:07.13

SBTC Enjoys Summer of Success

It has been a banner 2015 season for the SBTC with six athletes representing their countries:

• Barbara Nwaba (USA) - IAAF World Championship Qualifier, Heptathlon
• Lindsay Schwartz (USA) - Thorpe Cup, Bronze Medalist, Heptathlon
• Lindsay Lettow (USA) - Thorpe Cup, 5th Place, Heptathlon
• Tom FitzSimons (USA) - Thorpe Cup Qualifier, Decathlon
• Derek Masterson (USA) - Pan American Games, 9th Place, Decathlon
• Keegan Cooke (ZIM) - All Africa Games Qualifier (September 4- 19, Brazzaville, Congo)

Santa Barbara Shines

A number of athletes who train in Santa Barbara year-round or in part have also excelled in 2015:

• Ryan Martin (USA - UCSB / ASICS) - 800m North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships (NACAC) Champion; 800m Pan America Games Bronze Medalist
• Scott Smith (USA - UCSB / Northern Arizona Elite) - Marathon, IAAF World Championships Qualifier (August 21, 4:35pm PST on Universal Sports)
• Ashton Eaton (USA - Oregon Track Club) - Decathlon, IAAF World Championships Qualifier; #1 Ranked in the World
• Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN - Oregon Track Club) - Heptathlon, IAAF World Championships Qualifier; #2 Ranked in the World
• Damian Warner (CAN) - Decathlon, IAAF World Championships Qualifier
• Lauren Johnson (CAN - Oregon Track Club) - 800m, IAAF World Championships Qualifier

SUPPORTING SBTC

As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of donors and our community outreach programs. We're proud to have one of the only track clubs in the country in which our athletes play a vital role in giving back and mentoring youth through our SB Youth Track Club and its various local programs throughout the year. They do more than simply train in Santa Barbara. They create a positive impact in the lives of area youth while we as coaches and you as donors get to support and inspire the Olympic dreams of some of the United States top heptathlon and decathlon hopefuls. You are helping athlete's dreams come true!

As we prepare to head into the championship season and the 2016 Olympic year, we would greatly appreciate your support of these fine athletes within the Santa Barbara Track Club for their travel, living expenses and training needs. All donations are tax deductible and will go towards the athletes we support.

Donate Online or By Mail

ABOUT SBTC

The Santa Barbara Track Club aims to create a progressive and cohesive Track & Field experience for members of our community from youth to masters as well as the development of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls alike. The professional athletes are composed of combined events athletes and middle distance athletes who also work within the community by serving as coaches and mentors to youth.  The coaching and personal training efforts of the athletes help to fund the continued growth of Santa Barbara as an international training hub as well as to promote cultural exchange and shared education.

Santa Barbara TC's Nwaba Wins 1st U.S. National Title in Heptathlon

Nwaba earns first IAAF World Championship berth; scores 6,500pts, the 6th U.S. all-time Heptathlon mark and ranked 5th in the World in 2015; SBTC's Lettow also breaks 6,000pts finishing in 5th place

Heptathlon Scoring Table SBTC National Championship Central

Since 2012, Barbara Nwaba has been the runner-up at the 2012 NCAA Division I Championships, 2014 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2015 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships. She would reverse this streak at the 2015 USA Championships in Eugene, OR with a personal best 6,500 points, dethroning the two-time reigning champion and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumna Sharon Day-Monroe for the title.

This is Nwaba's first national title and her 6,500 points in the Heptathlon ranks 6th in the U.S. all-time as well as currently ranking her 5th in the world. She also qualified for the IAAF World Championships, which will be held in Beijing, China from August 22-30, 2015.

SBTC's Lindsay Lettow also had a career day breaking 6,000 points for the first time with 6,023pts and a fifth place finish. Lindsay Schwartz would fall just 29 points shy of a best finishing in 8th place with 5,969pts.

Heptathlon Day 1

The first day began with two personal bests by Schwartz & Lettow in the 100m Hurdles, 13.55 and 13.56 respectively while Nwaba remained just a tenth of a second off of her best with a 13.49, notching 1,052pts for the event.

In the High Jump, Lettow leaped to her second personal best of the day with a 1.76m (5'9.25") leap. Nwaba maintained her form with a 1.82m (5'11.5") jump, two inches off her career best.

Saturday's competition concluded with Nwaba racing to a 23.76 personal best in the 200m, closing the gap with Day-Monroe to 20 points headed into the final day of the Heptathlon. Schwartz also set a personal best in the 200m with a time of 24.06. Schwartz and Lettow concluded day one in 6th and 8th respectively.

Heptathlon Day 2

After what had been unseasonably warm temperatures in Eugene for the Decathlon and first day of competition in the Heptathlon, temperatures in the low 70s welcomed the athletes for Sunday's events. Perhaps enjoying the similarity to Santa Barbara's cooler June weather, Nwaba took to the skies in the first event of the morning with a personal best of 6.23m (20'5.25") in the Long Jump; a seven inch personal best and the first time over 20 feet for her. The jump would move Nwaba 36 points ahead of Day-Monroe with two events remaining in the Heptathlon.

In the Javelin, Nwaba tossed the spear 43.48m (142'8"), just five feet off her best, maintaining a slim 8 point lead over Day-Monroe heading into the final event, the 800m. Lettow also performed well setting a personal best of 42.63m (139'10) in the Javelin.

At 800m, an event Nwaba has excelled at recently, dropping four seconds off her best since 2014 and seven seconds since 2012, needing to finish ahead of Day-Monroe to take her first U.S. National title. She would lead from the gun with Day-Monroe on her shoulders and pulled away from the field in front of the loud Hayward Field grandstands, crossing the tape in a personal best 2:07.13 and scoring 6,500pts for the two-day competition.

Lettow would race to another best finishing in 2:11.90, catapulting herself to a 5th place finish and personal best 6,023pts; the first time for her over the 6,000pts barrier. Schwartz finished in 8th with 5,969pts, just 29 points shy of her personal best.

Additional Santa Barbara Notables

2012 UCSB graduate, Ryan Martin, finished 5th at 800m in 1:46.04 2007 UCSB graduate, Amy Haapanen, finished 10th in the Hammer Throw with a mark of 65.20m (213'11")

Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. 4th at USA National Championships

SBTC's FitzSimons, Jr. sets three personal bests to surprise national field for second year in a row; wins the 1500m by nine seconds to cap off Decathlon

Decathlon Scoring Table SBTC National Championship Central

Entering the 2015 USA National Championships ranked 8th in the Decathlon, Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. proved once again that he competes his best on the biggest stage. After a surprise podium finish in 2014, FitzSimons, Jr. used the 2015 event, held in Eugene, OR at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field, to set three personal bests and come close to four others in the two-day competition. He finished in 4th place with 7,685pts.

With the 100m dash kicking off the Decathlon on Thursday, June 25, FitzSimons, Jr. wasted no time in setting his first best with an 11.12 sprint down the home stretch. Competing well in the following four events, including jumping just four inches (7.07m / 23'2.5") shy of his best in the Long Jump, FitzSimons, Jr. finished day one with 3,877pts and in 8th place.

Day two started with FitzSimons, Jr. dipping under 15 seconds in the 110m Hurdles for the first time in his career notching a 14.95 wind legal mark. Two events later, he set another personal best in the Pole Vault with a 4.65m (15'3") leap moving into 5th position.

FitzSimons, Jr. needed to finish five seconds ahead of Mike Morgan in the final event, the 1500m, to move into 4th. Jumping to the lead right from the gun he led wire to wire winning the metric Mile in 4:17.75, over nine seconds ahead of second place and twenty-five seconds ahead of Morgan to claim 4th place in the Decathlon.

NIKE's Trey Hardee of Texas took home the 2015 Decathlon title with 8,725pts.

Additional Santa Barbara Notables

2012 UCSB graduate, Ryan Martin, qualified for the 800m finals on Sunday, June 28 @ 1:57pm. 2012 UCSB graduate, Derek Masterson, also competed in the Decathlon finishing 9th with 7,221pts. 2007 UCSB graduate, Amy Haapanen, competes in the Women's Hammer Throw on Saturday, June 27 @ 12:15pm

SBTC Sends 4 Athletes to the USA Track & Field Championships

USA Track & Field Championships Updates

6/28: Santa Barbara TC’s Nwaba Wins 1st U.S. National Title in Heptathlon 6/26: Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. 4th at USA National Championships USA Championships Results Decathlon Scoring Table Heptathlon Scoring Table

Barbara Nwaba leads the SBTC contingent as the second ranked heptathlete in the United States

From Santa Barbara Track Club

Beginning Thursday, June 25, SBTC athletes enter one of the most important competitions of the season with the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, OR determining Team USA squads for the IAAF World Championships, Thorpe Cup and other opportunities to represent the United States in 2015.

At the 2014 national championships Barbara Nwaba finished 2nd with 6,307pts in the Heptathlon, a personal record at the time. Qualifying only days prior to the national championships, Thomas FitzSimons, Jr. also reached the podium, surprising the field with a third place and 7,645pts in the Decathlon.

The two-day Heptathlon and Decathlon competitions will take place Thursday, June 25 - Sunday, June 28 at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field.

SBTC Athlete Bios at USA Championships

• Barbara Nwaba - Heptathlon (UC Santa Barbara '12) - Ranked 2nd in Heptathlon field
• Lindsay Schwartz - Heptathlon (South Alabama '13) - Ranked 8th in Heptathlon field
• Lindsay Lettow - Heptathlon (Central Missouri '12) - Ranked 9th in Heptathlon field
• Tom FitzSimons , Jr. - Decathlon (Mount Saint Mary's '12) - 4th Place at 2015 USA Championships

Follow SBTC on Television & Live Stream on the Web (look for the orange and blue tinted uniforms)

Webcast / Television (All Times are PST) SUNDAY 6/28

• 8AM PT - Racewalk - LIVE on USATF.tv
• 10:20AM - 12PM PT - All Events - LIVE on USATF.tv
• 12PM - 3PM PT - LIVE on NBC (Online here) [Check local listings] (Field Events will be LIVE on USATF.tv)
• 3PM PT - THE COOL DOWN - on USATF.tv

SUPPORTING SBTC As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of donors and our community outreach programs. We're proud to have one of the only track clubs in the country in which our athletes play a vital role in giving back and mentoring youth through our SB Youth Track Club and its various local programs throughout the year. They do more than simply train in Santa Barbara. They create a positive impact in the lives of area youth while we as coaches and you as donors get to support and inspire the Olympic dreams of some of the United States top heptathlon and decathlon hopefuls. You are helping athlete's dreams come true!

As we prepare to head into the championship season and the 2016 Olympic year, we would greatly appreciate your support of these fine athletes within the Santa Barbara Track Club for their travel, living expenses and training needs. All donations are tax deductible and will go towards the athletes we support.

Donate Online or By Mail

ABOUT SBTC The Santa Barbara Track Club aims to create a progressive and cohesive Track & Field experience for members of our community from youth to masters as well as the development of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls alike. The professional athletes are composed of combined events athletes and middle distance athletes who also work within the community by serving as coaches and mentors to youth.  The coaching and personal training efforts of the athletes help to fund the continued growth of Santa Barbara as an international training hub as well as to promote cultural exchange and shared education.