In the Beginning

   In the beginning there were rookies, veterans, boys, girls, Bantams, Midgets, Youth, Intermediates, and Young Men. After the Empire State Liberty Tour Track & Field Series, the Region 1 Junior Olympics, there were only five that remained. These five Eagles took flight to the mountains of Southern California to Mount San Antonio College where they had an opportunity, on a national stage, to showcase their talents.

   Max Comer, the first Bantam boy to qualify and compete in the Triathlon, shattered the Country Mills Eagles record in that event earlier in the season. Noah Moyer was the first Bantam Boy to compete in an individual event, Mike Plewinski is the second Midget boy to attend the National Junior Olympics in the High Jump, Kayla Owens is the first Midget girl thrower to qualify for this meet in her first year as a Discus competitor. Finally, Brandon Mills set a new mark for the Country Mills Eagles, when he became the first to qualify in the Young Men’s Decathlon. After two years of qualifying only as a member of a Relay team, Brandon qualified not only in the Decathlon, but also in the Javelin.

   So, although in the beginning it was just a lot of practice and intense training, these five athletes had spread their wings to rise up like Eagles and made it all the way to the Pacific Coast, the National Junior Olympics. When asked about their performance at the National event, coach Mills replied, “All that the coaches can ask of any athlete is to give all that they have, and leave it there. I feel as though these athletes have done just that!”

     Pictured Above: Brandon Mills prepares for the start of the 110m High Hurdles, the first event of the Men’s Decathlon.