Justin Pickard, throwing for the Park City Track Club, broke his own American record en route to a first-place finish and a new American record at the 18-state Western Regional Qualifier on Feb. 17 at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Pickard, an eighth grader at Treasure Mountain Junior High School, went on to compete in the USATF National Youth Indoor Track & Field Championships in Landover, Md., on March 10, where he took the silver medal in his age group.

Pickard finished his indoor season ranked No. 2 in the nation in the USATF Youth Division, held the American record for two months, and set both state and regional records in the shot put.

Justin is looking forward to the outdoor season, the Junior Olympics in July, and to next season where he will compete for the Park City High School track and field team.