Athletes Fresh Off Down Under Games Competed at AAU Junior Olympic Games
08/06/2018
Two athletes fresh off competition at the Down Under Games in Australia attended AAU Junior Olympic Games this year in Des Moines.
Myles Lincoln (Plainfield, Ill.) could hardly contain his excitement as he read the words G’day from the city of Gold Coast. His ticket had been punched for the Down Under Games.
Every year, 200 athletes from across the United States are selected to participate in the Down Under Games hosted on the Gold Coast of Australia. The Down Under Games are every year in July and hosts athletes from football, cross country, golf, track and field, wrestling, basketball and volleyball. These athletes are selected based on their performance in their sport.
“Going to Australia gave me the chance to compete with other athletes across the world,” said Lincoln, who competed in the decathlon, triple jump and long jump this week. “Not only did I make new friends with other Americans, but also with athletes from New Zealand and Australia.”
This weeklong event agenda consisted of three practices, touring the Gold Coast and finishing with a meet competing against athletes from other countries. Though the Down Under Games is different than AAU Junior Olympic Games, the competition level is comparable in both events.
“There are really good athletes in Australia,” Lincoln said. “There’s a lot more people competing at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, but overall there’s the same amount of competition.”
Lincoln is not the only athlete to compete in both the Down Under Games and the AAU’s marquee track event. Candice Jackson (Romeoville, Ill.) was selected to join the American team for cross country.
Cross country athletes run two races at the Down Under Games: a 5.7k road race and a 5k All-American race. No matter the races, Jackson mentions that there is always a chance to improve no matter who she is competing against.
“Competition is real,” said Jackson, who competed in the 800m, 1500m and 2000m steeplechase. “Not just in your state but across the nation and even the world. No matter what level of competition other people are competing on, I am always more motivated to run my best times.”
Lincoln earned a bronze medal in the triple jump and Jackson took eighth place in the steeplechase at AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Visit www.aaujrogames.org for more information about the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Written by: Meghan Kearney
Every year, 200 athletes from across the United States are selected to participate in the Down Under Games hosted on the Gold Coast of Australia. The Down Under Games are every year in July and hosts athletes from football, cross country, golf, track and field, wrestling, basketball and volleyball. These athletes are selected based on their performance in their sport.
“Going to Australia gave me the chance to compete with other athletes across the world,” said Lincoln, who competed in the decathlon, triple jump and long jump this week. “Not only did I make new friends with other Americans, but also with athletes from New Zealand and Australia.”
This weeklong event agenda consisted of three practices, touring the Gold Coast and finishing with a meet competing against athletes from other countries. Though the Down Under Games is different than AAU Junior Olympic Games, the competition level is comparable in both events.
“There are really good athletes in Australia,” Lincoln said. “There’s a lot more people competing at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, but overall there’s the same amount of competition.”
Lincoln is not the only athlete to compete in both the Down Under Games and the AAU’s marquee track event. Candice Jackson (Romeoville, Ill.) was selected to join the American team for cross country.
Cross country athletes run two races at the Down Under Games: a 5.7k road race and a 5k All-American race. No matter the races, Jackson mentions that there is always a chance to improve no matter who she is competing against.
“Competition is real,” said Jackson, who competed in the 800m, 1500m and 2000m steeplechase. “Not just in your state but across the nation and even the world. No matter what level of competition other people are competing on, I am always more motivated to run my best times.”
Lincoln earned a bronze medal in the triple jump and Jackson took eighth place in the steeplechase at AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Visit www.aaujrogames.org for more information about the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Written by: Meghan Kearney
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