Local Athletes Compete At AAU Nationals & Club Championships

The LC Express Track Club had sixty- four (64) athletes to compete at the AAU District Meet June 15-16 at D.W. Rutledge Stadium Converse, Tx. Fifty-nine (59) athletes advanced to the Region 19 Meet June 28-30 at D.W. Rutledge Stadium. Forty-three (43) athletes went on to compete at the AAU Track & Field Primary Nationals Championships July 7-8 and Club Championships July 9-13 held at the University of North Florida - Hodges Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida.

The Primary Nationals age divisions (5-6-7-8 yr. olds only) athletes competed in individual age divisions. Age divisions were comprised of 172 teams, 642 athletes and 33 Relays from 23 states across the country including teams from Puerto Rico and Brazil. Day 1 was compiled of 1,233 entries (151 heats of events). Day 2 was compiled of 641 entries (55 heats of events).

The Club Championship age divisions (8 – 18 yr. olds) were comprised of 430 teams, 4051 athletes and 269 Relays from 33 states across the country also including teams from Puerto Rico and Brazil. In the Club Championship events the 100M were compiled of 1,221 athletes (143 heats), 200M - 1,591 athletes (186 heats), 400M - 1,281 athletes (166 heats), 800M -705 athletes (52 heats), 1500M - 375 athletes (26 heats), 3000M - 140 athletes (12 heats) and 269 Relays. The top 8 in each event and each division in both the Primary Nationals and Club Championships awarded medals and All-American patches.

Thirty-four (34) athletes met the qualifying standards from the Primary Nationals and Club Championships on to the AAU National Junior Olympic Games to be held July 29-August 3 at North Carolina A&T – Marcus T. Johnson Track at Truist Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina.

The team’s volunteer coaching staff members are Coach Tony Francis, Coach Curtis Truesdale, Coach Jeremy Toston, Coach Missy Wolridge, Coach Bralan Hutchison, Coach Robert Tiedt, Coach Tomeka Kelley, Coach Lilly Wilson, Coach Edward Hickey and Coach Ebony Wolridge.

“The Primary Nationals and Club Championships meet was at an all-time high level of competition as expected. The effort our athletes put in was nothing short of outstanding. The kids trusted the work they put in over the summer and stepped up to the challenge earning All-American titles and the fifty-two (52) medal count while posting numerous personal best times and marks. We are extremely proud of the team’s performance,” said Coach Tony Francis.