Since the excitement of the Summer Olympics and Paralympics faded in August, many viewers have been left craving that same thrill of competition. The Amateur Athletics Union Junior Olympics is an annual showcase of young athletes striving for greatness in a wide range of sports. From basketball, golf and swimming to more unique events like baton twirling and bowling, the Junior Olympics offer a glimpse of tomorrow’s Olympic hopefuls.
Megan Liu is a sophomore at Archbishop Mitty High School and plays for the JV girls basketball team. Archbishop Mitty’s girls basketball team is number one in the nation, according to Sports Illustrated. Their players Morgan Cheli (17U) and Mckenna Woliczko (16U) played won the USA teams for the Junior Olympics.
“Junior Olympics is the top of each age group so you have to be the best in your age group,” Liu said. “It gets you seen by a lot of people and coaches and it gives you opportunities.”
While the Junior Olympics are a rare and prestigious opportunity to compete with other elite players and receive chances for recognition in the sports world, the highly competitive nature of the event can be anxiety-inducing. FHS sophomore Golden Beardsley plays on the FHS Girls Volleyball team and believes that playing in the competition is daunting.
“I’d be playing with people I’ve never met before,” Beardsley said. “There’s an element of team[work] so it might be uncomfortable if you don’t know the people [playing in the Junior Olympics].”
Before being admitted to the AAU Junior Olympics, one first needs to qualify for the regional Junior Olympics by being among the top 16 athletes in their district’s age group for their respective event; then they need to come out in the top five of their regional competition.
Sports are a major part of many teenagers’ lives. It can be easy to forget that those who excel in their sport, travel for tournaments and train with top-notch coaches are also teenagers. Through their hard work, aggressiveness and courage to take on this challenge, they are able to compete at one of the highest levels for teenage athletes.
