by Matt Wright
Lakeland will be well represented at the National Junior Olympics this summer after 8 different Lakeland kids qualified for the prestigious event. With the new track being installed this summer around the football field on the Lakeland Prep campus, the future for Lakeland track and field looks bright.
The 8 students qualified for the national event after participating in the TN/AL/KY AAU National Qualifier Track and Field Regional Championships held on June 25 and 26th in Knoxville, TN. That qualifying event was open to any athlete who finished in the top 16 in any district meet this year.
A total of 12 Lakeland athletes participated in the regional event, of which 8 qualified for the Junior Olympics. That national event will be held in the Houston, TX area from July 31st through August 7.
Tramayne Jenkins, the father to three of the athletes that qualified told Lakeland Currents, “The AAU Junior Olympic Games are the pinnacle competition held by the US Amateur Athletics Union.” He continued saying, “It is estimated that over 22 thousand athletes will compete in this event.” Other events held at the Junior Olympics include wrestling, swimming, field hockey, and more.
The following Lakeland athletes will be representing Tennessee on the national stage:
- Tramayne (TJ) Jenkins (8th grader) 100m hurdles, 200m hurdles & 4x100m relay (14u).
- Javon Slaton (8th grader) Long jump & 4x100m relay (14u).
- Gavin Gatere (8th grader) Discus, high jump, & 4x100m relay (14u).
- Harrison Goolsby (6th grader) 100m, 200m, & 4X100m relay (12u).
- Pierce Washington ( 6th grader) 100m 200m & 4X100 relay (12u).
- Tyrez Jenkins (6th grader) 4X100m relay (12u).
- Ashari Jenkins (6th grader) 800m.
- Gillian Gatere (5th grader) 800m.
According to Mr. Jenkins, 4 other Lakeland area students ran at the regional event but did not qualify this year. However, Bailey Goolsby, Bailey Williams, Solace Washington, and Braylon Williams all ran some of their best times for the year and hope to qualify next season.
