This week Oakland native and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Leon Powe helped surprise Ashton Purvis of Oakland, CA with the 2009-10 Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award.  Leon surprised Ashton with great news at the East Oakland Youth Development Center, where Ashton was guest-teaching the Pathway to College class. Leon earned Gatorade California Boys Basketball Player of the Year himself honors in 2002-03.

Ashton, a 5-foot-8 senior sprinter, won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.17 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 22.90 at the California Interscholastic Federation state championship meet this spring, leading the Mustangs to a fifth-place finish as a team. Her 200-meter time ranks as the nation’s No. 1 clocking among prep competitors in 2010, while her 100-meter time ranked No. 2. Ashton’s season-best 100 ranks sixth in prep history and only eight prep girls have ever run a faster 200.

In celebration of the larger 25th anniversary, Gatorade is hosting an online poll, which will allow you to decide the greatest girls track & field athlete of all time. You can cast your vote for your favorite athlete of all-time once per day at http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/25th/vote/.

And now, in Damu’s own words:

DC: “First I want to say the God is the reason why I am here and able to do what I do! Without God none of this would be possible! I am a world class 100 meter hurdler for the USA and Nike. I am a 2008 Olympian where I finished 4th. My personal best is 12.44 and my goal is to qualify for the 2012 Olympic team. I have been a professional for 7 years now. Thank you for your interest and I hope that I may be a blessing to others!”

SGP: How old were you when you started competing?

DC: I actually started competing when I was 10 years old as a gymnast! I started competing in track n high school when I was 16 years old.

SGP: Did you play other sports when you were younger?

DC: I was a gymnast for 7 years

SGP: Do you do other sports for recreation or cross-training?

DC: No, I do not do other sports because the demands of being a professional/world class athlete takes up most of my time and days!

SGP: What is your biggest challenge you have overcome?

DC: My biggest challenge is learning the technical aspect of hurdling! The 100 meter hurdles is a very technical event and it takes years to grasp.

SGP: What are your biggest challenges in practice?

DC: In practice my biggest challenge is making sure I pretend I am in a meet scenario because sometimes I tend to relax too much and when you are on an elite level you have to go above and beyond to reach your goals.

SGP:  Do you like competing? How do you channel your nerves?

DC: I love competing! I know that as long as I put the work in in practice I rarely have nerves! I use a lot of visualization so I can prepare my mind for the big day!

SGP: How many hours a day do you train?

DC: A typical day would be three to four hours of running/weight workouts! The rest of the day is filled with massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and stretching! Usually, my day starts at 9am and ends 5pm.

SGP: What is your favorite way to reward yourself for achieving your goals?

DC: Since our track season is so long I usually wait until our time off to reward myself which would include shopping, little junk food! I get one month off in October to have some fun and just rest!

SGP: What is your advice for young athletes?

DC: Always set goals for yourself and make sure everyday counts. Everyday isn’t a good day but take something positive out of the day and grow from it! Never give up and always expect to be great!

SGP: Who is your biggest role model?

DC: My biggest role model is my mother who is a cancer survivor! She fought through tough times and never gave up on herself and now she enjoys the benefits of traveling the world watching me compete! I think of her when I am having a bad day at practice or if I am tired in a run and she gives me that extra I need to push a little harder!

We hope you enjoyed this interview!

Lauren, who is the daughter of TrackMom Lorraine of TrackMom.com, has been running since she was 5 and was hooked after her first two races (parks & rec meet where she won 2 blue ribbons). A year later, her Dad who is a former track & field athlete, became her coach, and her whole extended family has become her own cheering section at meets and a source of great support.

Jay Hicks at Pre Race Jitters did a really nice feature piece on Lauren recently and it gives a lot of insight into this young runner’s very bright future.

One of the reasons I think Lauren is going to go far in her track career is the great support she has in her family. Her mother Lorraine and I talk often and we always seem to get on the topic of balance and how to maintain that balance in our daughter’s lives. In the off season, Lauren tries out different sports like volleyball and cycling, dabbles in singing, and just does all the normal kid things.

During the competitive season, things get more serious, but Lorraine is always looking out for Lauren’s best interest by making sure she gets the proper nutrition, rest and injury care/prevention.

Remember her name – Lauren Williams – she is definitely on the fast track!

I  just listened to one of the most interesting and entertaining athlete interviews! My friends at PreRaceJitters.com did an interview with gymnast turned triple jump star Shani Marks as part of their second episode of PreRaceJitters weekly track show.

Shani, who spent most of her childhood in the gym (from age 3-17) didn’t start participating in track and field until she was in 9th grade. She started track as a way of expanding her horizons at her Mother’s encouragement.

I love Shani’s story because it really echos my views on youth sports and how one sport can really lay the groundwork for another. I have coached so many gymnasts who have gone on to be successful in so many other sports – like field hockey, diving, track, volleyball, swimming to name a few – and have made the transition gracefully.

Head over to PreRaceJitters and listen to their predictions for this year, the great interview with Shani and check out their slick new website design (Did I mention, I did the redesign? Sorry, shameless plug!).

Image details: U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials – Day Eight served by picapp.com

This is one of those pictures that just captures the raw emotion that athletics can produce. Lori Jones (also known as Lolo) looks so jazzed to have just won the 110 hurdles final. Next stop Beijing!

Thanks to Lorraine for stopping in and leaving a comment yesterday. Her website is called Track Mom and it covers everything about youth track and field. From competition reports, training tips, nutrition and parenting insights, Track Mom covers it all!

Her article called 10 Ways to be a Great Track Parent is full of sound tips that carry over to being a great parent in any sport. My favorites:

1. Encourage fun and doing their best, not just winning.No one wins all the time,no one.
2. Actively work to undrestand the sport your child is particpating in. (Yes there are parents that don’t know a 100m from 200m)
3. Don’t rate your child’s sucess on winning or losing
4. Help out with needs of your child’s team. Children love when their parents help and hate to always see someone elses parent helping.
5. Provide the right competive situation for your youth athlete. (Rightly assess your childs abilty, if in doubt ask some one like a coach who can give insight.)

Catch the whole list plus more great articles by visiting Track Mom for yourself!

If you have a website that focuses on youth sports (especially girls sports), please leave a comment and let us know! Additionally, if you are a parent or coach of a youth sport and have a story, advice, or something to share with the Sports Girls Play community, we’d love to have you!! Just leave a comment and I’ll be in touch with you.

Good Luck Whitney!

Kids can play games like Long Jump, 200m Spring, and more. There are also screen savers and desktop art to download, athlete profiles, a quiz and more great resources. Check it out today!