Latest news with #JuniorOlympics
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Decorated Harding sprinter earns Student Athlete of the Week
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Warren Harding senior sprinter Alexis Rodgers has been speeding her way to the finish line for the Raiders as a four-sport athlete. 'Get out, get up and get busy,' said Rodgers. 'That's what I'm thinking when I'm in the blocks, especially before the gun goes off, just a moment of silence and then it's power, let's go.' She was on the cross-country team for half a season and also has two varsity letters on the cheer team. Rodgers was also a captain on the varsity soccer team with two varsity letters. She helped her soccer team advance to the playoffs every season she was on varsity. Where she truly shines is in track & field with four varsity letters. As a team, she aided the Raiders to a Trumbull County title in her junior season. 'When I was little, I started on the playground racing the boys, and I was always told I was faster than the boys,' said Rodgers. 'So I got on the track — it's peaceful to run, just get out here and compete.' In 2023, she was also District Champion in the 100m and 200m. Rodgers won the All-American Conference and Trumbull County Championships in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. The Raider has not advanced to states yet, but said this season she plans to make it in the 200m and 400m. The sprinter has also been a regional finalist in her freshman and sophomore seasons. 'Competition, I love competition, I love competing against other people,' said Rodgers. 'I love the feeling of the burn in my chest when I run. Then also, when I cross the finish line and I PR, I won a big meet or something. I just love that feeling.' Rodgers had to battle adversity in her junior season with a complete ACL tear at the beginning of the school year, but just three months after the injury, she was back on the track as the county title runner-up. Then, just four months after the injury, she advanced to the district finals. 'An overwhelming feeling of excitement, and I tear up sometimes, but it's just a stand-still moment,' said Rodgers. 'Like, wow, it took a lot to get back here, especially after a big injury.' Outside of Harding, she is a three-time national qualifier in AAU and has competed in the Junior Olympics from 2021-2023. Rodgers is involved with many clubs, including Key Club, Our Voices Matter, and National Honor Society. She also holds leadership positions at Harding, including as student council president. The senior has amassed at least 200 service hours with blood drives, community clean-ups, and working with preschoolers. She also makes her own programs as she built a summit for teen networking and advocacy while tutoring K-5 at her church and helping kids at the public library. In the summer, she helps kids at Inspiring Minds and organizes church mentoring programs. 'You never know what people go home to …a lot of them are in hard positions, I try to make their days spent with me the best,' said Rodgers. 'When I see that they're having a good time, it definitely like makes me feel fuzzy inside.' The track star shines in the classroom with a 4.149 GPA as well. She has not decided where she will be attending college, but she will be running track collegiately. Rodgers also wants to major in biology, pre-physical therapy, to become a pediatric physical therapist. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Chris Maxey
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Chris Maxey On the Chiefs Wire Podcast, we look back at one of the best interviews from the 2024 season! This week, we're reflecting on the Week 17 episode. Watch as Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Xavier Worthy's high school coach, Chris Maxey, about his special gift from the Chiefs' wide receiver before last year's NFL Draft and his humble beginnings. Maxey discussed the significance of Worthy's jersey number, his impact on the future, and how his humble personality aligns with the Kansas City community. Worthy surprised his mentor and childhood football coach, Maxey, who helped inspire him throughout his journey, with a 98-inch television. He posted his admiration and the incredible moment on his Instagram last year, days before the 2024 NFL Draft. While playing football at Central East High School, Maxey convinced Worthy to run track and stepped in as an added parent figure. He even made the six-day trip to Virginia for the Junior Olympics in the seventh grade when his mom couldn't take time off work. Maxey continues to work with youth athletes at Central East High School in Fresno, California. He uses Worthy's journey as a positive example of what can happen if you work hard and pursue your goals.
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Star
Ashton Jeanty's track star girlfriend, Tom Brady links, Saquon Barkley vow
Ashton Jeanty is waiting to discover which NFL team takes a leap of faith on him in the Draft - but the running back could already be seeing a future with one team. The Boise State running back believes he will be drafted high on Thursday, as he told ProFootballTalk that he predicts to go as the sixth overall pick - and potentially join up with Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders. Jeanty's college football performances have planted good seeds for some NFL franchises, leading to a runner-up spot for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. The 21-year-old led the NCAA Div I league in rushing yards and number of targets last year, racking up a career-high of 2,601 yards on 374 carries. Across his three years with the Broncos, Jeanty played 40 games and scored 56 touchdowns in total - 50 rushing and six receiving. In a letter written to general managers across the NFL , the young running back told the Players' Tribune that he's coming to "win big" - and it seems this message is getting across to the teams already. Here, we have collated together some of the biggest headlines on Jeanty heading into the NFL, including his links with superstar Brady, a Saquon Barkley promise and who he has backing his play at home. Ashton Jeanty's track star girlfriend speaks out Jeanty and Miller have been in each other's lives since high school (Image: Instagram/ Jeanty has a strong vocal supporter in his corner ahead of the NFL Draft, which comes in the form of track star Gabrielle Miller. The athlete is a standout in her own right, being named an AAU All-American and qualifying for the Junior Olympics back in high school, according to the Austin Peay State University Athletics website. Essentially Sports reports that Miller impressed in a recent 200m event for Austin Peay Athletics, finishing first with a personal best time of 25.69 seconds - proving that she can keep up with her swift running back boyfriend if the opportunity arises. She has been a loyal supporter to her beau Jeanty since their days at Lone Star High School, and shared her joy at the running back declaring for the Draft with a message of her own. On Instagram in reply to Jeanty's Draft post, Miller wrote: "Bouta go crazy on the next level!" alongside a white love heart. This simple yet confident message speaks volumes about the pair's relationship, as it showcases the unwavering support Miller has for Jeanty - and the mutual respect they have for one another in their respective sports. Jeanty's links to NFL icon Tom Brady Tom Brady could link up with Jeanty in the NFL this year (Image:) Jeanty doesn't just have links in the athletic world; he seems to already know where his talent will land, and it could end up in the hands of Raiders minority owner Brady. Throughout the build-up to the ceremony beginning, the running back has been linked to Las Vegas, who currently hold the number six pick in the first round. With teams like the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and New York Giants coming before the Raiders, it is unclear whether any of the top five teams will take a chance on Jeanty. But it also seems that the AFC West team are targeting a running back in their high draft capital, and Jeanty could be the answer. Speaking earlier in April, Raiders general manager John Spytek was coy about the team being linked to the Boise State star in the lead-up to the event - but admitted that they would be looking at taking a running back high in the Draft this year. During an appearance at a pre-draft press conference, Spytek said: "I mean we just saw Saquon Barkley just change the Eagles in one certain ways to build a team, and I don't know where we got to a place where we don't feel like running backs are valued. Ashton Jeanty is ready for the NFL (Image:) "I come from the University of Michigan, and those guys were certainly really valued there. So, it's hard for me to get away from that." As well as this veiled hint, Jeanty had a "good formal" visit with the Raiders during the scouting combine, according to ESPN - and Spytek had also visited the 21-year-old during Boise State's pro day in March. It seems that Jeanty and the Raiders could be a match made in heaven - and with an NFL icon like Brady running the show, this may well be the boost the team needs to get back to greatness. While it is unclear whether Brady or new head coach Pete Carroll are on board with Jeanty being drafted by the Raiders, the running back himself is a big fan of the work they are doing. In an exclusive interview with Athlon Sports , Jeanty was complimentary of his meeting with the team, and praised Carroll's style of football. He said: "It's been really good. "It does seem like they've got a really good group of coaches. Obviously, Pete Carroll being the head coach. I know his philosophy and how he attacks the game of football. ... It's been a great experience so far meeting with them, but it looks very promising. ... A lot of great people in that building for sure." Saquon Barkley vow - 'It's simple' Jeanty has some big shoes to fill when it comes to Saquon Barkley (Image:) Raiders head honcho Spytek isn't the only one to draw the comparisons between Jeanty and current NFL star Saquon Barkley - the athlete himself is a big fan of the Philadelphia Eagles running back. Barkley has been a standout name in the league for a few years, creating some magic with a struggling New York Giants team before he made the switch to their direct rivals, the Eagles, in 2024. While many were shocked at this trade - considering the Eagles and Giants are in the same division - the 28-year-old proved that some new scenery is sometimes all you need for success. In his debut year for Philadelphia, Barkley led the NFL in rushing yards with 2,283, and was named Offensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-Pro player and came third in the MVP voting. The running back didn't stop there, however, as he helped the Eagles to Super Bowl LIX and won the Lombardi Trophy on his 28th birthday - dominating the former champions the Kansas City Chiefs with a 40-22 scoreline. With all this success coming in just one season, it seems Jeanty has some big cleats to fill on the field - but he is adamant his athleticism will do the talking for him on the field once the 2025 campaign begins. Writing in the Players' Tribune, Jeanty said: "If you pick me, it's simple: I'm coming to your franchise to do what Saquon and the Eagles just did. I'm coming to win, big, soon. It's TACKLE football … you know what I'm saying? I'd draft the guy they can't tackle."
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blountstown freshman Bryson White turns heads on the track
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Blountstown freshman, Bryson White took first in the men's 110 hurdles, defeating athletes up to four years older. Bryson White, a second-year hurdler and Junior Olympian, is making an immediate impact in his first high school track season. However, his athletic journey did not begin with running. 'I started in baseball, and I liked racing my teammates,' White said. 'That's when I really got into track and competing.' White competed in middle school but took a leap of faith in eighth grade, deciding to try hurdles, an adjustment that ultimately led him to placing 16th out of nearly 70 competitors at the Junior Olympics this past August. 'The hurdle height was a challenge at first,' White said. 'It's important to train your mind to stay focused during the race. You have to push through each hurdle and keep your form.' Now, as a freshman, White has already achieved major success and has no plans to slow down over the next three years at Blountstown High School. 'I want to accomplish some goals, and break some school records,' he said. 'I just want to be the best.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Statesboro High senior strikes gold at GA Junior Olympics in air rifle, smallbore
STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — A senior at Statesboro High School is now a Georgia State Junior Olympic Champion in air rifle and smallbore. Katlyn Sullivan is now qualified for both disciplines for the National Junior Olympics which will be held in April in Anniston and Talladega, Al. The competitions are held over a six-day period where junior athletes will compete in air rifle, air pistol, smallbore rifle and 25m pistol disciplines, a Bulloch County Schools spokesperson said. This year, the Junior Olympics will also serve as the selection match for the Junior Pan American Games to be held in Paraguay. Sullivan is the reigning 2024 GHSA Riflery Individual State Champion and is a three-time member of the GHSA Georgia All-Star Team in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Last year, she scored bronze in the State Junior Olympics for smallbore and air rifle and placed 14th overall in the smallbore at the US Nationals. The senior signed to the University of Nebraska's 2025-2026 NCAA collegiate team under Head Rifle Coach Richard Clark. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
