CLARKSVILLE, TN – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games are known as the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States.
The Junior Olympic Games popularity has exploded to all 50 states and several U. S. territories. More then 19,000 participants across 12 sports competed for a chance at gold in Greensboro, North Carolina, from July 26-Aug. 7 in the 56th AAU Junior Olympic Games.
This year, six athletes from the Clarksville Racers team earned a place at these games by finishing in the top 6 in their events in the district and regional qualifiers among athletes from Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Blake Deterding competed in the 1500m (4:20) and 2000m Steeplechase (6:36). Lilly Goodwin competed in the 1500m (5:22) and 3000m (12:10). Mia Scimeca competed in the 2000m Steeplechase (9:57) and 3000m (13:30). Aiden Snyder competed in the 2000m Steeplechase (8:38) and 3000m Race Walk (18:08). Brooke Waleski competed in the 800m (2:34), 1500m (5:12), and 2000m Steeplechase (8:17). Hayden Waleski competed in the 1500m (4:19) and 3000m (10:19).
Two of the Clarksville Racers athletes earned the distinction of All American by finishing in the top 8 in their races. Blake Deterding received a silver medal for a second place finish in the 2000m Steeplechase. Aiden Snyder received a silver medal for a second place finish in the 3000m Race Walk.