Ashton Purvis (Sr., St. Elizabeth, CA) was guest teaching at the East Oakland Youth Development Center when she received a surprise visit today from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Leon Powe. Powe, a Gatorade recipient in 2002-03 for the California Boys Basketball Player of the year award was chosen to present Purvis with the 2009-2010 Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the year award.
Ashton has the fastest (unaided) 100 meter dash in the country, a mark she earned at the California State Meet on June 4th. She also holds the US#1 time in the 200 meter dash at 22.90.
The 5-foot-8 sprinter has been blazing a trail of first place finishes all season winning every race, from the Sacramento Meet of Champions to the California State Meet, in both the 100 and 200 meter dash. Last weekend at the USATF Junior Outdoor T&F Championships Ashton won the girls 200 meter dash and place 2nd in the 100 dash behind LSU's Takeia Pinckney.
Ashton's 11.17 100 meter dash ranks at US#6 All Time and her 200 meter time of 22.90 ranks at US#9 All Time!
Congratulations Ashton!!