Flyers Track Club wrapped up an exciting week of competition at the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Cerritos, California, where five Flyers athletes represented the club on the national stage. After qualifying through the USATF Junior Olympic series, Jackson Sarvey, Greyson Dunleavy, Catalina Herits, Connor Barrett, and Sandra Jakubiuk traveled across the country to compete against some of the top young athletes from throughout the United States.
The week was highlighted by strong performances, multiple personal bests, and two new Flyers Track Club records.
The competition began with Jackson Sarvey, competing in the 7-8 Boys 800-meter run, where he finished with a time of 3:05.62. Jackson gained valuable experience competing at the national level and proudly represented the Flyers in his first Junior Olympic National Championship.
In the 9-10 age group, Greyson Dunleavy had a particularly strong championship, setting a new Flyers club record in the 1500-meter run. Greyson ran a personal-best 5:04.59, taking an impressive 12 seconds off his previous best and finishing 12th nationally. He also competed in the 800-meter run, finishing with a time of 2:34.69. Greyson's record-breaking performance capped off another impressive season of continued improvement and success.
Catalina Herits also turned in a major personal best in the 9-10 Girls 1500-meter run. Catalina finished in 6:10.75, taking 12 seconds off her previous personal best. Her performance was a great reflection of the progress she has made throughout the season.
The 13-14 age group saw two more strong performances from the Flyers. Connor Barrett competed in the 800-meter run and finished with a time of 2:14.74, placing 27th nationally. Connor arrived at Nationals following an outstanding season that included breaking the Flyers' 800-meter club record and setting a new personal best in the 400-meter.
Sandra Jakubiuk closed out the Flyers' week with another record-breaking performance in the 13-14 Girls 3000-meter run. Sandra ran 11:10.61, finishing 20th nationally while taking seven seconds off her previous personal best. Her performance also broke her own Flyers Track Club record, giving the team its second new club record of the championship.
Competing at the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships is an accomplishment in itself, and the Flyers athletes should be proud of the work and dedication that brought them to the national stage. From personal bests and record-breaking performances to gaining experience competing among the best young athletes in the country, it was a memorable week for the club.
Congratulations to Jackson, Greyson, Catalina, Connor, and Sandra on an outstanding championship week. We are incredibly proud of the way you represented Flyers Track Club and New Jersey in California.
The Westfield Area YMCA Flyers Track Club is led by USATF-certified coaches and serves hundreds of athletes ages 7-15 year-round. Athletes learn the fundamentals of distance running and techniques unique to off-track running, with more experienced runners building on fundamental skills through conditioning and in-depth training. Registration is now open for the cross-country season, which runs Sept. 4 - Oct 26 and our new Fall Sprints training Sep 21 - Nov 11th.
For more information about Flyers Track Club, visit yflyerstrackclub.com or contact Michelle Almeida at malmeida@westfieldynj.org 908-301-9622 ext. 279.
The Y is the nation's leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Visit westfieldynj.org to learn more about Westfield Area YMCA and Cranford YMCA programs. Financial assistance is available for YMCA memberships and programs to those who qualify.
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