Local track athletes from the youth club Track and Field United competed at the USATF (USA Track and Field) Association meet last weekend in Grandview, MO.

The association meet acts as a state meet, being the sole qualifier for athletes in the Missouri Valley area to advance to the Regional track meet.

 

Eleven year old Skyler Mitchell boasted an impressive meet in his first season of competitive track and field.  Mitchell won 3 gold medals in the 3000 meter, 1500 meter, and 800 meter races.

When asked how it felt to win 3 gold medals at his first MO Valley Association meet, Mitchell said, “It feels good…I can’t explain it.

Also, having an impressive meet for the distance crew of Track and Field United was high school sophomore Aaron Modrow.

Modrow had big personal bests in his three races and took home gold in the 3000 meter race, bronze in the 1500 meter run and an honorable 4th place finish in the 800 meter run.

 

Mitchell and Modrow advanced to the Regional Meet in all three races, but Modrow says he knows in order to meet his goals of earning a medal at Nationals he has to continue to work hard.

“There’s always people out there getting better, so you know you have to get out there and get better – otherwise, when you come back next season you’re going to be surprised when they’re a lot faster than you are if you don’t train,” said Modrow.

The best part about running summer track according to Modrow:  “We’re a small, local team and I like that because you’re familiar with everyone and you’re friends with everyone and the memories you get to make with them throughout the season is something that you can’t get somewhere else.”

All of the athletes on Track and Field United’s roster advanced to the USATF Regional Meet in Joplin, MO July 9th and 10th.

Congratulations to:

• Jasmyne Byrd, 8 and under, 100m – 7th, 200m – 2nd,  Long Jump – 5th
• Laniya Myers, 11-12, 100m – 8th, 200m – 13th, Long Jump – 7th
• Morgan Little, 11-12, 100m – 2nd, 200m – 2nd, Long Jump -5th
• Ninti Little, 15-16, 100m – 4th, 200m – 2nd, Long Jump – 1st
• Tiara Smith, 15-16, 100m – 8th, 400m – 2nd
• Keiana Neuman, 15-16, 100m Hurdles – 1st, 200m – 9th, 100m – 6th
• Amaya Booker, 17-18, 100m – 2nd, 400m – 6th
• Erik Aleman, 8 and under, Long Jump – 7th, Shot Put – 3rd,  Javelin – Qualified
• Draeson Gulley, 8 and under, 100m – 13th, Long Jump – 10th, Javelin – Qualified
• George Byrd, 9-10, Long Jump – 7th, Shot Put – 3rd, Javelin – Qualified
• Skyler Mitchell, 11-12, 3000m – 1st, 1500m – 1st, 800m – 1st
• Aaron Modrow, 15-16,  3000m- 1st, 1500m – 3rd, 800m – 4th
• Clyde King III, 15-16, 400m – 3rd, 200m – 1st
• DeMarcus Smith, 17-18, 100m – 8th, 200m – 12th, 400m – 7th
• Ian Sanchez, 17-18, 100m – 4th, 200m – 10th

The track club works with athletes of all levels and disciplines from ages 5 to adult personal training. For more information please email tracknfieldunited@gmail.com.

Check out Sports Saturday with Dewey Terrill at 8am on June 25th for a full interview.