Redbird Extra: Brittany Smith & the IAAF World Junior Championships from ISUAthletics on Vimeo.

NORMAL, Ill.-Illinois State thrower Brittany Smith will represent her school and country as a member of Team USA at the 13th IAAF World Junior Championships, which will be held July 19-25 at the newly built Stade Moncton 2010 Stadium in Moncton, Canada. Smith will compete in the shot put Tuesday.

"It has been an exciting year," said Smith. "There has been a lot going on, but it has been a really good experience. The season has been pretty long, but now I get to go to Canada and that is exciting. Not many people get this type of opportunity in sports and I am honored. The fact that I get to represent the USA is exciting and an opportunity I will never forget."

The Oak Park, Ill., native qualified for the IAAF World Junior Championships, after she placed first in the shot put with a throw of 50'06.75" at the 2010 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. A total of 82 athletes will represent the U.S. at the World Junior Championships, which is held every two years.

At the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships, Team USA won the medal count with 11 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze, six more than the next highest country, Kenya. Team USA looks to continue its domination on the track and in the field at the 2010 Championships in Moncton, led by the country's top junior athletes. Head coaches for Team USA are Karen Dennis of Ohio State (women) and Ed Gorman (men).

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