PAL track team to compete in regional contest in Maryland

Erin Gilmore, 14, Asia Johnson, 11, Willian Heggs,14, Anthony O'Neal and (in front) Crystal Preston have won the chance to compete in Maryland this month at the regional United States Association of Track and Field Junior Olympics competition.

Asia Johnson's mother Adrian Thompson held a shot put record at Aiken High School in the 1980s, but she said she never really thought about getting her 11-year-old daughter involved.

But Thompson said the Police Athletic League's (PAL) track team has given her daughter and several others a chance to get involved in a sport they might not otherwise have had a chance to get into until much later in their teens.

Asia and four other local athletes have done so well that they will pack up their running shoes and head to Landover, Md., where they will compete at a regional United States Association of Track and Field Junior Olympics competition.

The top six finishers in each event from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia will travel to Landover later this month for the chance to move on to the nationals.

LaLita Ashley, PAL program coordinator, said the track team has been around for the past three years, but no one has yet been able to place in the top three at the regional level and move on to the state competition.

But she has high hopes for this group, and the athletes have an air of confidence themselves.

It's backed up with hard work.

Anthony O'Neal, 12, a runner, said the training is the tough but necessary part. He was the only member to make it to the regional competition last year.

This year the athletes range in age from 9 to 14.

At 14, William Heggs is one of the older competitors. He said he focuses on his training, even when it's tough.

Also 14, Erin Gilmore is one of the clear leaders of the group. She said she never thought she would do as well as she has done but has confidence that she will do well at the regional level.

Confidence is just one of the benefits the children get from the team sports, said Anthony O'Neal, father of the 12-year-old O'Neal.

"You look at the world today and it's competitive," he said. "Sports help you learn that. You get exercise and learn how to be a successfully competitor."

At just 9 years old, Crystal Preston is learning that lesson early.

The long jumper's technique is simple, however.

"Look at the board and focus," she said.

Anyone interested in the PAL program or sponsoring the athletes can call Ashley at 642-7686.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.