Nine Chase County residents are among 21 Flint Hills Track and Field club athletes who have qualified in a combined 40 events for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, scheduled for Aug. 1-8 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Chase County athletes are Carlee Van Sickle, age 13, who qualified in the 800-meter run and long jump; Kasen Van Sickle, age 1718, in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs; Mena Lincoln, age 14, in the 100-meter hurdles and pentathlon; and Annie Welsh, age 10, in the shot put, TurboJav and triathlon.
Grace Welsh, age 15-16, qualified in the shot put and discus; Nora Lincoln, age 14, in the discus and javelin; Guthrie Danford, age 17-18, in the shot put; Bailee Van Sickle, age 17-18, in the javelin; and Finley Lincoln, age 9, in the high jump, long jump and triathlon.
The remaining Flint Hills Track and Field qualifiers are Elizabeth Vehige, Xaden Delgado, Kendall Wine, Cade Olivier, Cole Olivier, Hudson Kline, Morgan McCoy, Avery Nolan, Chance Duncan, Jaxton Washburn, Cason Rhoads and Molly Rusco.
Athletes advanced through district and regional competition to earn places at the national meet. The top 16 competitors in each event at the district qualifier advanced to the regional meet. The top six in each event at the Region 16 meet then qualified for the Junior Olympics. Region 16 included athletes from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas.
The team’s coaches are Hugo Escobar, Megan Van Sickle, Brady Duncan, Heath Duncan, Rachel Duncan, Trent Olivier and Elena Lincoln.
To help with expenses associated with the national competition, the club will hold a Junior Olympics fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Pizza Ranch, 3000 W. 18th Ave., Emporia.
Flint Hills Track and Field athletes will serve customers during the event and work for tips. Proceeds will help support the athletes’ trip to Des Moines.