A pair of track and field athletes from Conejo Valley are set to showcase their talents on a global stage at the upcoming 2025 World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo. Tara Davis-Woodhall and Nico Young, prominent figures in the sport, are gearing up to make an impact in their respective events after honing their skills on the tracks and trails of Ventura County.
Tara Davis-Woodhall, recognized as The Star’s 2017 Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year while competing for Agoura High, will participate in the women’s long jump. She recently clinched her third U.S. title in this event with an impressive jump of 23 feet, 4.5 inches. As the reigning Olympic Gold Medalist, Davis-Woodhall is aiming for her second world title, having previously captured gold at last year’s World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
On the other hand, Nico Young, a graduate of Newbury Park High, is set to race in both the men’s 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters. A former standout in cross country, Young was named The Star’s 2019 Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. His collegiate career at Northern Arizona University was remarkable, yielding two NCAA titles and setting records in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Since then, he has established himself among the elite in global distance running. Young recently finished 12th in the 10,000 meters at the Paris Olympics and has had an outstanding summer season, highlighted by an American outdoor record of 12:45.27 in the 5,000 meters at a Diamond League meet in Oslo. He also secured a U.S. title in the 10,000 meters, which qualifies him for the world championships.
Reflecting on his prospects at the world stage, Young noted, “It’s pretty incredible,” expressing optimism about the chances of an American gold medal in the 10,000 meters. He pointed out that the competition is wide open, having raced against top international athletes.
The championship coverage begins this Saturday, with the event being streamed live on Peacock and aired on channels such as NBC, CNBC, and USA. The women’s long jump qualifying rounds kick off early Saturday morning, with a delayed recap scheduled at noon. The finals for the women’s long jump are set for Sunday, along with the final for the men’s 10,000 meters.
Young will also compete in the preliminary heats for the men’s 5,000 meters on Friday, and both race finals are eagerly anticipated by fans and competitors alike. The excitement is building as these local standouts prepare to represent their community and country on the world’s biggest athletic stage.
