|
|
Download & Print
August 10, 2019
Bandera County athletes come home from Junior Olympic Games with top finishes and gold in hand
By Jessica Goode
The Bandera Prophet
Blazing across the track and field of the North Carolina BB&T Stadium at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, the Hill Country Comets scorched their team’s name on the map with 16 athletes named All Americans.
Collectively, the team earned two gold medals, two silver medals; two bronze medals; and 16 finished in the top eight among 14,000 track and field competitors. Two of those athletes call Bandera County home.
KayCee Keller, a high school student in Pipe Creek, took gold on Tuesday, July 30 in the 1500m after sneaking up from third place and holding first until she crossed the finish line. She won with a 4:44.
The next day, Keller took silver in the 2000m Steeplechase, an event in which the runner jumps five barriers - including one in the water, with a 7:21 finish. She completed her final race, the 3000m, placing fifth, making her an All American in three events.
“It was a tough race because she was really battling her allergies causing difficulty breathing, but she didn't make excuses and did her very best!” KayCee’s mom Kendall Keller said of last Saturday’s event. “At the finish she collapsed and had to be taken to the medical tent. She gave it everything she had!”
Tyler Moore, of Bandera, placed 7th in the 400m hurdles, also earning himself All American status.
"The AAU Junior Olympic Games are known as the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States. It has become the showcase event of the AAU Sports Program,” Keller said. “...The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games.”
Young track and field athletes who range in age from elementary to high school competed for six days in BB&T Stadium (formerly the A&T - Aggie Stadium) in Greensboro, N.C. The AAU was founded in 1888, and represents the U.S. in the international sports arena. The Junior Olympic Games opened July 27; track and field took center stage from July 29 to Aug. 3.
Members of the Hill Country Comets Track Club, which was established in 2014 by Boerne residents Stefan and Jane Blomqvist, traveled from their homes in Kendall and Bandera Counties to compete among the crème de la crème at the country’s toughest track and field competition.
The Comets' final results of the games are as follows:
KayCee Keller-#1 1500m; #2 Steeplechase; 5th 3000m
Tyler Moore- 7th 400m Hurdles
Lexi Owens-#1 Shot Put; 6th Discus
Corey Preusse-#2 Discus
Connor Warzecha-3rd Javelin Throw
Brooks Jones-3rd Pole Vault
Chachi Gonzales-5th 800m
Mia Perez-5th 1500m
Noah Blomqvist-5th Discus
Sutton Amerman-6th 800m
Joseph Hohne-6th Shot Put
Aiden Garza- 6th Discus
Alexa Elizondo-8th Javelin Throw
For more information on the Comets, go to hillcountrycomets.com or email hillcountrycomets@gmail.com.
Collectively, the team earned two gold medals, two silver medals; two bronze medals; and 16 finished in the top eight among 14,000 track and field competitors. Two of those athletes call Bandera County home.
KayCee Keller, a high school student in Pipe Creek, took gold on Tuesday, July 30 in the 1500m after sneaking up from third place and holding first until she crossed the finish line. She won with a 4:44.
The next day, Keller took silver in the 2000m Steeplechase, an event in which the runner jumps five barriers - including one in the water, with a 7:21 finish. She completed her final race, the 3000m, placing fifth, making her an All American in three events.
“It was a tough race because she was really battling her allergies causing difficulty breathing, but she didn't make excuses and did her very best!” KayCee’s mom Kendall Keller said of last Saturday’s event. “At the finish she collapsed and had to be taken to the medical tent. She gave it everything she had!”
Tyler Moore, of Bandera, placed 7th in the 400m hurdles, also earning himself All American status.
"The AAU Junior Olympic Games are known as the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States. It has become the showcase event of the AAU Sports Program,” Keller said. “...The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games.”
Young track and field athletes who range in age from elementary to high school competed for six days in BB&T Stadium (formerly the A&T - Aggie Stadium) in Greensboro, N.C. The AAU was founded in 1888, and represents the U.S. in the international sports arena. The Junior Olympic Games opened July 27; track and field took center stage from July 29 to Aug. 3.
Members of the Hill Country Comets Track Club, which was established in 2014 by Boerne residents Stefan and Jane Blomqvist, traveled from their homes in Kendall and Bandera Counties to compete among the crème de la crème at the country’s toughest track and field competition.
The Comets' final results of the games are as follows:
KayCee Keller-#1 1500m; #2 Steeplechase; 5th 3000m
Tyler Moore- 7th 400m Hurdles
Lexi Owens-#1 Shot Put; 6th Discus
Corey Preusse-#2 Discus
Connor Warzecha-3rd Javelin Throw
Brooks Jones-3rd Pole Vault
Chachi Gonzales-5th 800m
Mia Perez-5th 1500m
Noah Blomqvist-5th Discus
Sutton Amerman-6th 800m
Joseph Hohne-6th Shot Put
Aiden Garza- 6th Discus
Alexa Elizondo-8th Javelin Throw
For more information on the Comets, go to hillcountrycomets.com or email hillcountrycomets@gmail.com.