Competition at the 36th edition of the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Championships began Tuesday in Omaha, Neb., with day one of the multi-events, the 2,000-meter steeplechase and 1,500m race walk. Part of the Verizon Youth Series, Junior Olympic Nationals will continue through Sunday, July 28.

Official Opening Ceremonies will begin Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the site of Junior Olympic competition, the Harry A. Burke High School stadium. The ceremonies will showcase a parade of Junior Olympic competitors and will include special entertainment including the lighting of the torch and fireworks.

Ben DeLay of Bellevue, Neb., highlighted the first day of track racing, winning the intermediate boys’ 2000m steeplechase with a time of 6:03.07. DeLay narrowly missed breaking the 14-year-old meet record of 6:02.84, set by Jason Brown in 1988.

In the young women’s heptathlon, Jacquelyn Johnson of Yuma, Ariz., is on pace to break the Junior Olympics record. Johnson won the 100mH (13.98), shot put (10.99 meters, 36 feet, 0.75 inches) and 200m (24.69) and placed third in the high jump (1.65m, 5-5). She scored 3,285 points during day one, giving herself a 584 point lead over second-place.

For complete results from the 2002 USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Championships or to view a live webcast from the meet, visit www.usatf.org.