East Lake's Kirby Claims AAU National Club Championships Heptathlon Crown

Todd Grasley

East Lake's Kaitlyn Kirby ended her junior track season on a high note. The versatile Eagle's athlete took gold in the heptathlon at the 2016 AAU National Club Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. Coach Britt Taylor says although it was only her second time competing the two-day seven event test, the pair set lofty goals.

"The weekend went great. Although she didn't reach all of the goals. She set some solid personal bests along the way."

Day one saw Kirby compete in the 100m hurdles, high jump shot put and 200m dash. The rising senior beat the field in the hurdles running 15.51 and scoring 775 points.



The high jump was next and their were some definite fireworks coming from the Disney area in Virginia's Dymiere Jeffrey who cleared 5'10.75", the third highest mark behind only Vashti Cunningham who just punched her ticket to Rio, and Erika Voyzey of Pennsylvania. Despite Jeffrey receiving the attention, the competition guided Kirby to a new PR of 5'3" and Taylor says the momentum to tackle the remaining five events.



"She then went to the shot put and through a big lifetime PR for her at 29-11." The 200 is probably the least stressful event and she finished on a positive note and had the lead at the end of day 1."

Day two didn't get off to the start the two had imagined. Kirby couldn't find the board and ended up with a disappointing long jump two feet below her personal best. Instead of feeling down on herself, Kirby moved onto the javelin and thew a lifetime personal best of 102 feet, which was 22 feet better than she'd ever thrown before!


In her final event, the 800, which Taylor admits is her worst of the seven, she built a big lead and cruised to the win.

"She has been just a hurdler and jumper during the high school season and has zero distance training. That is something we will dedicate a lot of time in to this fall."

For Kirby, who was 11th in the heptathlon at New Balance Nationals Outdoors, the title isn't just the first for her, but Coach Taylor says the first national title of any kind in the school's history.



"It's our programs first national champion of any kind. For Kaitlyn personally it's a big confidence builder. USF was in attendance and they talked to her after it was over. She also got a full scholarship over from Army last month and recently took an unofficial visit to UNC Charlotte. This will open up even more doors for her on the college front."

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