USA Track & Field names eight Washingtonians to Pan-Am Games squad...

INDIANAPOLIS—The United States’ track and field squad competing in the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru on August 6-10 will have a definite Washington feel to it, as eight athletes with ties to the state were named by USA Track & Field to the team Monday.

Leading the squad will be three of last year’s NACAC champions from Toronto—Washington alum and 1500 meter runner Izaic Yorks (left/photo by Paul Merca); fellow Husky alum and steeplechaser Mel Lawrence; and pole vaulter Katie Nageotte, who currently resides in Pullman.

Joining the three NACAC champions are: Garrett Heath of the Brooks Beasts in the 10000 meters; Camas native Alexa Efraimson in the 1500; University of Washington pole vaulter and outdoor collegiate record holder Olivia Gruver; three-time US Olympian and Vancouver native Kara Winger in the javelin; and 2017 world championship team member Katie Burnett from Bellevue in the 50 kilometer race walk.

USA Track & Field will send 96 athletes to Lima, as the team tries to equal or surpass its best Pan American Games performance in the sport of track & field since 1999, collecting 41 medals: 13 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze over seven days of competition at both CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium and along the Ontario Place West Channel in Toronto four years ago.

For the majority of athletes making the trip to Lima, the Pan Am Games will represent a short turnaround after the Toyota USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships July 25-28th in Des Moines, Iowa, where spots on the world championship team that will compete in Doha, Qatar September 27-October 6th are on the line.

USA Track & Field’s release, along with the full Pan Am Games track and field team roster is available here.

NOTE:  USA Track & Field contributed to this report.