Two local athletes, Mackenzie Conlon and William Alexander, competed in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics Monday,July 27-Saturday, August 1 in Jacksonville Florida.
Earlier in July, Conlon finished second in the State competition and third in Region 5, to qualify for the National competition in the 400 meter hurdles in the 17-18 age bracket.
Alexander finished first in the State competition and second in Region 5 in the 800 meter hurdles in the 13-14 age bracket.
Region 5 includes Ohio, Kentucky, Lake Erie, West Virginia, and Michigan. It is one of 16 regions across the country which competed in the Junior Olympics.
Conlon is a senior at Hillsboro High School this year and Alexander is a freshman and both are members of the Excel Track Team coached by Louis Reed in Washington Court House.
“Both Ty and Mackenzie work very hard and that is why they qualified for the Junior Olympics National Championship,” said Coach Reid on Conlon and Alexander. “It is a great accomplishment to compete at that level. Many great athletes have competed there, including current and former Olympians. Both athletes competed all summer long so that they could improve for the next track season. It was great coaching them. They are very self-motivated, so I am sure they will have a very successful Cross Country and Track season for Hillsboro.”
Reach Robert Stegbauer at 937-393-3456 ext. 1679 or on Twitter @RStegbauer.
