HERMISTON, Ore.-Several local track athletes are competing in the National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships July 21-27 in Savannah, Georgia.
The athletes from Hermiston are members of the Tri-City Thunder track club that offers track and field, cross country and introductory track programs for athletes around the region.
The seven runners and throwers from Hermiston qualified for the National Junior Olympics after finishing in the top eight in their respective events at a regional qualifying event at Central Valley High School in Spokane over 4th of July weekend.
Hermiston track and field athletes competing in the National Junior Olympics
- Robby Akers, a recent Hermiston High School graduate, will compete in the Hammer Throw
- Hunter Allen, another recent Hermiston grad, will also compete in the Hammer Throw
- Ryan Allen will be a junior at Hermiston High in the fall and will compete in the 400, 4×100 and 4×400
- Carter Swanson will also be a junior in the fall and will be competing in the 400, 4×100 and 4×400 at the Junior Olympics
- Kyan Webb will race in the 4×100 and 4×400 events
- Justyce Mosher, 14, will compete in the shotput
- Jaylee Lathrop, 10, will run in the 1500 and 800
“This was actually my first year running track, so I was behind from the get-go,” said Carter Swanson, who was part of the four-person relay team that won the 4×400 and 4×100 at regionals. “It definitely felt like I had to catch up with the rest of the guys in terms of training and learning the sport.”
Swanson and the other athletes from Hermiston will now compete on the biggest stage at Savannah State University. A livestream of the 2025 National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships is available through USA Track and Field’s digital platform.
“I’m excited,” said Swanson. “It’s going to be fun going to the Junior Olympics and running with my teammates.”
