LIMA — The trek to the AAU Junior Olympics National Games is not an easy one.
Each year, many track-and-field athletes, ranging from ages 7-18 compete at regional meets across the nation, in quest of advancing to the national meet.
Now, for the second consecutive year, and third year total (2004), Spartan Stadium will be the site for the Ohio AAU Region Four Track-and-Field Championships. The first day of competition was Thursday, and continues Friday through Sunday.
The four-day event will bring in more than 1,200 athletes and their families to the Lima area. The top six runners in each age group, and the top five placers in both the field events and relays, will advance to the AAU Junior Olympics National Games, which will be held at Eastern Michigan University in Detroit, Michigan, from July 29-August 3.
Chris Jackson, the president of the Lima Striders Track Club, is the co-meet director with DeCarlo Blackwell.
“The first time we held it here was in 2004, and then again last year,” Jackson said. “We were just fortunate and blessed to get it two years in a row. That usually doesn’t happen, but sometimes God shows his grace for you.
“I think one of the selling points was the new stadium park (at Spartan Stadium). We got some great reviews from fans last year, on how hospitable this community was. So, we just piggy-backed on the community, and the stadium park, and the AAU liked that.”
Region Four encompasses Ohio, the western part of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The talent will vary from novice to national caliber.
“We actually have some 5- and 6-year-olds,” Jackson said. “So, we have them from 5 up to 18 years of age. And this year they added the masters (division). On our schedule, we actually have a gentleman that’s 49 years old that’s going to be in the discus and high jump.”
Jackson has been heavily involved in the Lima Striders Track Club for many years. His involvement led the way for the opportunity to spearhead this event.
“I’ve been involved in it (Lima Striders) for like 14, 15 years,” Jackson said. “I actually took over about eight years ago. DeCarlo Blackwell was the guy running it. He was relocated to Columbus (for work). So, I just kind of stepped in and kept things going. This has been a great run. I’m a basketball guy. I just started out as a parent, slowly found my way out to the field and ended up taking over.”
Jackson, a Certified Fire Safety Inspector for the Lima Fire Department, also is a longtime assistant varsity boys basketball coach at Lima Senior.
Out of the 1,200-plus athletes that are converging at Spartan Stadium this weekend, 42 of those are from the Lima Striders.
“Our claim to fame right now is Tyler Ulis (grew up in Lima and moved later on), a point guard for the Phoenix Suns,” Jackson said. “Tyler was one of my first national champions. Actually, he was a six-time national champion for me. And my son, Zion, who is 12 years old this year, has been a 22-time all-American, four-time national champion. Over the years, we’ve had over 30 all-Americans, which is top eight in the country.”
Competition resumes at 8:30 a.m. Friday and will start at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“Today (Thursday) and tomorrow will be the multi-events and heptathlon events,” Jackson said. “Saturday will be the ‘nitty-gritty,’ as we call it.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
