Virginia Special Forces Track qualified 17 of a possible 21 athletes for the AAU Junior Olympics through a meet at Hampton University earlier this month. The AAU Junior Olympics are set for July 30 through Aug. 6 in New Orleans.

Beau Everett and Mark Melbourne set the tone for Special Forces at the youngest level. Everett set a team record in the 400-meter run with a blistering 1:07.94 to win silver. Melbourne triggered more winning ways the next day with a bronze finish in the 100 and a fifth-place finish to advance in the 200.

In the field events, Ryan Thomas placed fourth in the high jump, while thrower Gelissia Cause produced double gold winning performance in the shot put and the discus.

Next on stage were the middle and long distance runners. Maansi Mehta qualified in the 3,000 meters, while Michaela Hoskins qualified in the 1,500 and 800 with personal best times. 

Male runners Darron Coley, Anthony York and Christian Pelenda shattered their previous times. Coley shaved two seconds off in the 400 at the Youth level (ages 13-14) and returned 30 minutes later to eclipse his previous best in the 800 meters by 2.16 seconds. Pelenda cut 10 seconds of his previous best, taking the bronze in 2.05 at the Intermediate level (15-16). York paced to a bronze finish in the 1,500.

Briar Woods High School standout Shaquera Leach led the sprint squad. Leach glided to qualifying in the 200, 400 and the 1,600 relay. Heritage’s Marcus Finney advanced in the 110 high hurdles, along with Halli McFadgen in the 100 and 400 hurdles.

Joining the cast of sprinters were Jasmine Hill, Jessica Rolle, Kaylin Simmons, and Miles Howard in the 100 dash, 400 run and 1,600 relay.