Local youth competed at the 2016 USATF Regional Track and Field Championships in Joplin, MO this past weekend.

Running for the club, Track and Field United, with athletes from Fort Riley, Chapman, and Junction City – were athletes of varying age and event that qualified for the Regional meet.

Several have advanced to USATF Junior Olympic Nationals in Sacramento, California.

“This is a great opportunity for the athletes to get some national exposure and possibly come home as All-Americans,” said Coach Fawn McDougald.

Unlike the AAU Nationals, USATF is the official governing body for track and field in the U.S., and the youth level competition reflects that “official” feeling.

Distance runner Aaron Modrow says he’s most excited for the “chance to compete” in Sacramento. This is Modrow’s 2nd Junior Olympic National appearance since joining the track club last year.

Sprinter Clyde King says that he’s excited to run fast and “catch up to some of the other guys” he’s been battling all summer season.

Tiara Smith, a 400m specialist, says her take away from this season is to just “keep running [more] PR’s (personal records) and to keep getting stronger like I have been since being out here [for track].”

A full interview with the coaches and athletes of Track and Field United will be on Sports Saturday with Dewey Terrill on July 16th at 8 am.

The track club has set up a GoFundMe to help the athletes cover the expensive trip: https://www.gofundme.com/tfunited

2016 Track and Field United Summer Team Roster:

Draeson Gulley, 5 – Regional Qualifier

Erik Aleman, 5 – Regional Qualifier

Jasmyne Byrd, 6 – Regional Qualifier

George Byrd, 8 – Regional Qualifier

Skyler Mitchell, 11 -Regional Medalist, National Qualifier

Fidel Small, 11 – Association Qualifier

Morgan Little, 11 – Regional Medalist, National Qualifer

Laniya Myers, 12 – Regional Qualifier

Tiara Smith, 15 – Regional Qualifer

Keiana Neuman, 15 – Association Qualifer

Aaron Modrow, 15 – Regional Medalist, National Qualifier

Ninti Little, 16 – Regional Medalist, National Qualifer

Clyde King, 16 – Regional Medalist, National Qualifier

Amaya Booker, 17 – Regional Qualifer

DeMarcus Smith, 17 – Regional Medalist, National Qualifier

Ian Sanchez, 17 – Regional Qualifier