FRANKLIN -- Two local athletes are headed for the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Championships after competing here this weekend.
Linton-Stockton hurdler Grant Stamm and thrower Micaela Hazlewood have both earned berths in the event which is scheduled to take place July 23-29 at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
In order to qualify, athletes in several categories need to finish in the top five in their event at Franklin College.
Stamm took the top spot in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 14.98 seconds then duplicated his advancement with a second place finish in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.56 in the Intermediate Boys Division.
"It was a very hot day," Stamm noted. "I think I could've done a little better in the 400 hurdles."
Hazlewood earned her place in the finals in three events.
Her throws of 99 feet, two inches (30.23 meters) placed her fourth in the javelin while a toss of 37-10 (11.53m) in the shot put places her fifth and a throw of 122-0 (37.15m) puts her fourth in the discus.
All three are in the Young Women's Division.
"I'm kind of excited about it," the two-time IHSAA track state finalist said. "It's someplace I've never been before.
"I'm not seeded very well because I'm one of the younger ones going, but we'll see what happens."
Hazlewood will compete on three different days -- Wednesday, July 25 at 8 a.m. for the shot put, Thursday, July 26 at 1 p.m. for the discus and Saturday, July 28 in the discs.
Stamm's first round races both take place on July 25. At 8 a.m. he'll compete in the 400 hurdles then at 1 p.m. take to the cinders for the first round of the 110 hurdles.
The finals for both of his events are slated for Sunday, July 29.
While Stamm and Hazlewood -- who are members of the Indiana Track Club based in Bloomington -- were the only local area competitors to advance to Baltimore, they weren't the only ones to compete.
Four members of the White River Valley Track Club, which is based in Switz City, also made the trip to Franklin.
Shannon Pittman, Rylee Ellett, Nate Hickman and Buddy Davis all advanced following the state championship meet at Ft. Wayne Northrup High School on June 16 and 17.
"We took nine athletes and they all qualified," White River Valley Track Club coach Andy Davis said. "Due to conflicting summer schedules only four athletes had the chance to compete."
Ellett too part in the Youth Girls Division 100 meter hurdles where she placed sixth in the finals with a time of 18.05.
Ellett duplicated her sixth place finish in the 200 meter hurdles with a time of 34.77.
For Pittman it was a ninth place finish in the Intermediate Girls Division Pole Vault with a jump of 6-0 3/4 (1.85m) and a seventh place finish in the high jump with a mark of 4-7 3/4 (1.42m).
Davis took home a sixth place finish in the Intermediate Boys Division of the 3,000 with a time of 11:31.97.
Hickman claimed a 13th place finish in the 100 with a time of 13.73.
Also eligible but unable to participate were Josh Dieball (pole vault, 200 hurdles), Joe Dieball (pole vault, long jump), Parker Ramsey (1,500), Abby Denham (200 hurdles, 100 hurdles, 400) and Kalen Lawson who was a part of the 1,600 relay team with Davis, Hickman and Ramsey.
"We have had a successful start our White River Valley Track Club this year," Davis added. "We are excited to build on our progress next year and to see more kids in our local area get involved in the Junior Olympic program and other events during the year.
"Thanks to all the parents and athletes for your support and great attitudes during the last couple months and I would like to add my thanks to our coaches Tim Neal, Doug Dayhoff, and Darren Denham."
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