Collier Breaks Records at USA Junior Nationals

Becky Collier shattered several Westmont and personal records while becoming the first track-and-field athlete to represent Westmont at the USA Junior National Track & Field Championships in Sacramento June 25-26.

Collier finished fifth in the junior heptathlon with 4,988 points, breaking the school record that she previously held (4,871 points). She had personal best records in the 200 meter (26.53), javelin (110-7) and 800 meter (2:22.66).

Collier enjoyed a tremendous freshman season of competition in both indoor and outdoor track and field, which culminated in a national runner-up finish in the high jump, as well as a fourth-place finish in the heptathlon.

Her indoor season included a fifth-place finish in the pentathlon and a seventh-place finish in the high jump. In all, Collier earned four NAIA All-American awards and set two school records during her freshman campaign.

“That’s absolutely impressive,” says Russell Smelley, Westmont head track-and-field coach. “She’s been able to sustain a national high level of performance and overcome her fear of the big meet.”

The USA Junior Championships consist primarily of student-athletes who have just completed their freshman season of competition. Athletes qualify for the meet by achieving a performance standard during their 2014 season. The championship is meant to identify young and upcoming talent in the United States. Collier was the lone NAIA athlete competing in the heptathlon.

The heptathlon is a seven-event competition which measures speed, strength and stamina. Athletes earn points in each event based on performance. The competition is held over two days with the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and the 200 meters on day one. The second day features competition in the long jump, javelin and 800 meters.