Several more K-Town Elite Club members’ season will continue through the championship season after their performances on Sunday’s second day of competition at Ball State University for the USA Track-and-Field Junior Olympics.
Led by Chase Hayes, who also qualified Saturday, Hayes placed fourth in the 200 dash, (28.91 seconds) and third in the long jump, (14 feet, 1 inch) in the 13-14 age group. In the 17-18 age group, Johannah Hetzner placed eighth in the 400-meter dash; Hamilton Heights’ Bailey Haworth placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.05 seconds), and La’Bria Williams placed fifth in the long jump, (13 feet, 11 inches) and in the 8-and-under group, Verity Bishop, age 6, placed third in the 1500-meter run.
“We got everyone out and on to the next round,” said Club Coach K. O. Jackson. It’s too hot out here to compete and not focusing on getting to the next round and continue advancing and or achieving personal records. That’s always the plan and goal.”
The top eight performances qualifies athletes to the USATF Region 7 JO Championship, which takes place July 5-8 at Ball State. A top five performance at that meet would qualify athletes to the USATF JO Nationals, set for July 23-29 at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C.