The Hays Striders Track Club were in competition at the AAU Regional Qualifier June 27-30. 23 Striders vied for a spot at the 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Championships and 19 qualified. The Junior Olympics will be held July 28 through August 2 in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

“In the 24 years we’ve been involved with the Striders, this is the most we’ve ever qualified to compete in the Junior Olympic Games. That is a testament to these kids who go to practice for two hours every day, fighting the cold, the rain, and now the heat to improve and compete. They are true competitors, from the little guys and girls to the high school athletes. They amaze me everyday how hard they are willing to work,” Coach Dave Haberman said. “And those workouts are not easy!”  

Region 16 for AAU comprises Kansas, Oklahoma, western Missouri and Arkansas. The top six athletes from the regional meet qualified  to compete at the Junior Olympics.

Four Striders — Jade Beckman from Oakley, Lillian McGaughey from La Crosse, Jacob Leiker and Mario Valencia of Hays — were crowned Regional Champions in their events. Beckman and  McGaughey are described by Coach Elaine Haberman as a “future Olympic superstars.”

Beckman won the long jump in the 11-year-old girls division with a leap of 14’51/2.” McGaughey had a very busy three days in the 11-year-old division by winning the turbo javelin and discus and qualifying in the high jump and Pentathlon. Leiker blew away the competition in the 8 Under 800 while dropping 10 seconds off of his time a month ago at the AAU District Qualifier. Leiker also qualified in the 400.  Hays Middle School athlete Valencia was the top Pole Vaulter in the 13-year-old age group and also qualified for the Junior Olympics in the high jump.

The girls side of the team have been battling injuries throughout the season, but even those with injuries managed to qualify for the JO’s. Hays High’s Brooklyn Lewallen, competing with a nagging hamstring, qualified in the 15-16 100 meter hurdles as well as the 400 meter hurdles. Hays Middle School athlete Lacy Droegemeier, battling a lower leg injury throughout most of the summer season, qualified in the 14-year-old 100 hurdles and Pentathlon.  “They are a great group of kids that love to work hard and they have fun doing it, which is the most enjoyable  part,” Striders hurdle coach Maddux Winter said.

Middle distance phenom Morgan Armbruster switched gears mid-season due to injuries, adding the Turbo Javelin throw to her 11-year-old event listing. Armbruster placed 3rd in that event to qualify. Zoe Brown of Plainville, battling knee trouble throughout the season, qualified in the 12 year old Pentathlon. Kaliyah Bannister qualified in the 11-year-old long jump with a personal best. Sydney Lewallen, described by Coach Dave Haberman as “one of our hardest working athletes, and one to watch for future years” qualified for a second year in the 9-year-old girls 400 and long jump. Grace Molthan qualified for her first Junior Olympics in the 9-year-old Girls 1500 meter run. Lyndi Zimmerman qualified for her third Junior Olympics in two events, the 10-year-old 400 and 1500.

“We are so proud of all of these girls,” Coach Elaine Haberman said.

On the boys side, beside Leiker and Valencia, seven more athletes qualified. Plainville’s record breaker AJ Brown, qualified in the 14-year-old 200 hurdles and Pentathlon. Logan Leiker qualified in the 10-year-old 1500.

“Those Leiker boys can just flat out run,” Dave Haberman said. “This is their first year and they’re running like seasoned athletes!”

Emery Zimmerman qualified in the 8 Under 800 and 1500, and Tayte Lewallen in the 8 Under 1500.

“Those two are fighters,” Coach Dave Haberman said, “they challenge each other every day in practice and are just great competitors on the track.”

Hunter Molthan, the veteran on the boys team, qualified in three events. The 800, 1500, and 3000.

“Hunter is a beautiful runner,” Elaine Haberman stated. “He’s a hard worker and just loves track.”

Of the Strider boy throwers, coached by 4 time All-MIAA FHSU athlete Tim McElroy, two qualified to move on to North Carolina. Jack Zeller qualified in the 13-year-old javelin, shot put and discus. Caleb Englert qualified in the 11-year-old turbo javelin and discus.

“The kids worked extremely hard this summer and their accomplishments show it,” throws coach Tim McElroy said.

“We are very proud of all of our Strider kids,” Dave Haberman said. “And we have a great coaching staff! They are committed to helping these kids improve every day.”

The Striders are coached by Dave and Elaine Haberman, Dustin and Wendy Armbruster, Meredith and Darris Lewallen, Bob Threlkel, Rose McFarland, Maddux Winter, and Anthony Ventura.

Complete Results are as follows, Top 6 Qualify:

Girls

Paityn Armbruster, 400-27, 1:42.05; LJ-17, 7’1”

Sydney Lewallen, 9, 400-2, 1:15.38; LJ-5, 11’9 ½”; 200-12, 34.49

Grace Molthan, 9, 1500-5, 7:06.54; 400-20, 1:37.76; 800-8, 3:32.11

Makayla Lewallen, 10, 800-9, 3:00.55; 1500-7, 6:21.46; LJ-7, 11’4.6”

Lyndi Zimmerman, 10, 400-4, 1:12.79; 800-13, 3:04.26; 1500-5, 5:52.56

Morgan Armbruster, 11, 400-23, 1:16.39; 800-10, 2:57.33; TJav-3, 73’2”

Kaliyah Bannister, 11, 100-16, 15.18; 200-22, 31.89; LJ-3, 13’11”

Jade Beckman, 11, 100-7, 14.19; LJ-1, 14’5.50”

Lillian McGaughey, 11, Discus-1, 50’8”; TJav-1, 79’8”, HJ-3, 3’6”; Pentathlon-4, 1023

Jaylee Summers, 11, 400-17, 1:12.11; LJ-19, 11’

Zoe Brown, 12, 800-13, 2:54.49; 1500-9, 5:52.44; Pentathlon-4, 1597

Briley Haynes, 12, 100-18, 15.00; 200-19, 30.42; 400-31-1:17.95

Lacy Droegemeier, 14, 100-23, 15.30; 100 H-5, 17.68; 200 H-7, 33.01; LJ-8,  13’10”; Pentathlon-4, 1438

Brooklyn Lewallen, 15-16, 100 H-5, 17.23; 400 H-3-1:13.44

Boys

Jacob Leiker, 8, 400-2, 1:16.47; 800-1, 2:50.40

Tayte Lewallen, 8, 400-12, 1:20.92; 800-7, 3:06.40; 1500-5, 6:17.16

Emery Zimmerman, 8, 400-14, 1:22.47; 800-5, 3:02.28; 1500-2, 5:56.30

Logan Leiker, 10, 800-9, 2:51.51; 1500-3, 5:36.40

Caleb Englert, 11, Discus-4, 51’9”; TJav-6, 60’1”; Shot-9, 23’6.25”

Hunter Molthan, 13, 800-2, 2:30.31; 1500-2, 5:12.41; 3000-3, 12:23.75

Mario Valencia, 13, 800-8, 2:48.79; HJ-6, 4’4”; PV-1, 8’0”

Jack Zeller, 13, Discus, 3, 95’11”; Shot-4, 35’; Jav-4, 73’11”

AJ Brown, 14, 100 H-8, 17.37; 200 H-5, 30.42; Pentathlon-2, 1904

— Submitted