Nine top track performers will represent Hinesville at the 2007 AAU National Junior Olympics.
The Junior Olympics track meet will be at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville July 29-Aug. 4 and 13,000 athletes from all over the United States are expected to compete for their chance to win gold, silver or bronze.
Team representative Cenita Chapman said the nine local competitors, affectionately known as the “Magnificent Nine,” competed at regional qualifiers recently at Chapman High School in Inman, S.C., and brought home a collective seven gold, five silver and three bronze medals.
“These nine kids had to beat out about 600 other athletes from throughout the state of Georgia in order to qualify for the National Olympics and they are the only team heading to the Olympics representing Hinesville,” Chapman said.
The team received a donation last week from different Masonic clubs to help cover some of the travel expenses in sending the athletes to Knoxville. But, the team is looking for continued community support as they are about $1,500 short of what is needed for transportation, lodging and meals. Anyone wishing to support the team can call Tosha Bell at 492-5106 or 876-5685.
Regional results
Boys sub-youth
Marsalis Jackson — third in the 400-meter dash, fourth in the 800-meter dash, second in the high jump and long jump.
Anthony Holsendolph Jr. — third in the high jump
Girls sub-midget:
Asyria Daniels — Regional champion in the long jump, third place in the 80 meter hurdles.
Youth
Quintunya Chapman — Regional champion in the 200- and 400-meter dash and the 200-meter hurdles. Second place in the long jump.
Intermediate
Chris Reed — second in the 3000-meter run
Michael Reed — fourth in the 3,000-meter run
Shaquille Russell — Regional champion in the shot put, and regional champion in the discus.
Young men
Malachi Bell — fourth in the 1,500-meter run and second in the 3,000-meter run.
Larry Henry — Regional champion in the high jump.v
The Junior Olympics track meet will be at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville July 29-Aug. 4 and 13,000 athletes from all over the United States are expected to compete for their chance to win gold, silver or bronze.
Team representative Cenita Chapman said the nine local competitors, affectionately known as the “Magnificent Nine,” competed at regional qualifiers recently at Chapman High School in Inman, S.C., and brought home a collective seven gold, five silver and three bronze medals.
“These nine kids had to beat out about 600 other athletes from throughout the state of Georgia in order to qualify for the National Olympics and they are the only team heading to the Olympics representing Hinesville,” Chapman said.
The team received a donation last week from different Masonic clubs to help cover some of the travel expenses in sending the athletes to Knoxville. But, the team is looking for continued community support as they are about $1,500 short of what is needed for transportation, lodging and meals. Anyone wishing to support the team can call Tosha Bell at 492-5106 or 876-5685.
Regional results
Boys sub-youth
Marsalis Jackson — third in the 400-meter dash, fourth in the 800-meter dash, second in the high jump and long jump.
Anthony Holsendolph Jr. — third in the high jump
Girls sub-midget:
Asyria Daniels — Regional champion in the long jump, third place in the 80 meter hurdles.
Youth
Quintunya Chapman — Regional champion in the 200- and 400-meter dash and the 200-meter hurdles. Second place in the long jump.
Intermediate
Chris Reed — second in the 3000-meter run
Michael Reed — fourth in the 3,000-meter run
Shaquille Russell — Regional champion in the shot put, and regional champion in the discus.
Young men
Malachi Bell — fourth in the 1,500-meter run and second in the 3,000-meter run.
Larry Henry — Regional champion in the high jump.v