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RECAP: AAU Junior Olympic Games – Track & Field

More than 11,000 athletes traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the biggest event of the 2023 AAU Track and Field season

Aug 31, 2023

RECAP: AAU Junior Olympic Games – Track & Field

By: Troy MacNeill

AAU Junior Olympic Games - Track & Field
Location: Drake University, Iowa
Event Page | Results | Photos | Replays

DES MOINES, Iowa (August 31, 2023) – AAU Track and Field members got to the starters block one last time as they raced towards the finish line on the 2023 AAU Track and Field season. From photo finishes to national records, in sun and rain, the action was breathtaking.  
 
Drake Stadium played host to the Track and Field Portion of the 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games this summer. From July 29 to August 5, 11,211 athletes laced up and took to the track. With 40 states and territories such as Puerto Rico and Curacao represented, athletes from all over came together in Iowa with hopes of racing towards new personal records.
 


The AAU Junior Olympic Games has met every year since 1967 and is growing to be regarded as one of the most anticipated youth track and field events of the year. The event has been bringing out athletes to compete that have turned into Olympians. This year saw records that have stood for years get shattered. Across a week of heart pumping competition, 24 National Records were broken by some of the best youth athletes in America.
 
Some teams and athletes were racing against themselves and shattering records that they set earlier that week. Gunner Hammett, 11-year-old sprinter, told us he was going to break three records and he did. Sprinting his way to a new 800m and two 400m records on the week. Patricio Pardo broke a record that had been standing for 36 years, setting a new record time for the 12-year-old boys’ 3000m race. Luke Anderson showed his endurance while setting new records in the 15–16-year-old boys’ 2000m Steeplechase and the 1500m race. Desoto Nitro Track Club kept one-upping themselves as they broke the 15-16-year-old boys’ 4x100m Relay record two separate times during the week. On the field side of the competition, Evan Jitjaeng set a new record height for the 13-year-old Pole Vault.
 

To see all the record breaking times, visit @aautrackandfield on Instagram or AAU Track and Field on Facebook.
 
The 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games was also a time for AAU to celebrate their clubs, coaches, and officials as the best of the year were recognized for their hard work and dedication throughout the entire AAU Track and Field season. The winners were:
  • AAU Track and Field National Coach of the Year: William Bullard
  • AAU Track and Field National Club of the Year: Columbus Panthers Track Club
  • AAU Track and Field National Official of the Year: Robert Evans
 

The AAU Junior Olympic Games also allowed AAU to host some college coaches from around the country at the Mondotrack Coaches Hospitality event.
 
“For us it’s an opportunity to give back and be a part of something that’s great,” said Anthony James, Director of Community Development for Mondotrack. “What we’ve seen over the years at AAU is these kids become adults and stars and give back to the next generation.”
 
To relive some of best races, record breaking performances, and photo finishes, watch the replays at Flotrack. Click here.
 

Thank you to all of the athletes who came out and put on a show. AAU Track and Field continues to grow and showcases athletes that will be the next big names in the sport. We already know some of these AAU athletes will be the next Olympians we cheer for. AAU Track and Field, Your Future Starts Here.
 
The AAU Junior Olympic Games will be returning to Greensboro, North Carolina in 2024. Houston will play host in 2025. We look forwarded to seeing you all there.
 

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The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 800,000 participants and over 150,000 volunteers.   

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