Westfield Area YMCA Flyers Qualify for Junior Olympic National Championships

Athletes from the Westfield Area Y Flyers Track Club traveled to Cortland, New York this past weekend to compete in the USATF Region 2 Junior Olympic Championships. The meet was held at SUNY Cortland and hosted athletes from the New Jersey, Niagara, Three Rivers, and Mid-Atlantic Associations. A total of 13 Flyers competed with 12 earning advancements to the National Championships. Additionally, 5 athletes brought home Region 2 titles.

Brian Guterl earned a title win in the 13-14 Boys 3000m Race Walk division. The 13-14 Boys 4x100m relay team of Gabe Worrell, Alex Kessler, Justin Simmons Jr. and Melisizwe Ndlovu captured the Region 2 title and set a new club record with a time of 48.72.

In addition to the relay, Kessler won the 13-14 Boys javelin with a throw of 44.97m (147’ 6”) and placed 4th in the 200m hurdles, advancing him to the National Championships in three events. Worrell and Ndlovu also triple-qualified, advancing in both the 13-14 boys 100m and 200m. Another Flyer advancing in three events is Sydney Kessler, who will compete in the 13-14 Girls 100m hurdles, long jump, and triple jump.

Rounding out the team of qualifying Flyers for the Junior Olympic National Championships:

Addison Stroh – 15-16 girls Shot Put and Discus

Katalyna Aguilar – 9-10 Girls 1500m

Ronan Connolly – 11-12 Boys 3000m

Grayson Van Dyk – 7-8 Boys 1500m

Arjun Vernekar – 15-16 Boys 3000m

Jessica Zhou – 13-14 Girls 3000m.

The 2023 USATF Junior Olympic National Championships will be held July 24-30 at the historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR.

The Westfield Area YMCA Flyers Track Club is led by USATF-certified coaches and serves hundreds of athletes ages 7-15 year-round. Athletes learn the fundamentals of distance running and techniques unique to off-track running, with more experienced runners building on fundamental skills through conditioning and in-depth training.

Registration is now open for the cross-country season, which runs September 8-October 30. For more information visitwww.flyerstrackclub.com or contact Michelle Almeida at malmeida@westfieldynj.org 908-301-9622 ext. 279.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Financial assistance is available for YMCA programs and memberships for those who qualify.

Grayson Van Dyk (left) and Katalyna Aguilar (right) two qualifiers for the 2023 USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in the 1500m run.