Seven local athletes with Fairley Track Club are headed to the USATF Junior Olympics! WXXV attended one of the practices to see how they prepare for this big moments.

Several athletes near and far are trained by a local track and field coach, Larry Fairley, and most recently he took a group of his talented athletes to compete on a regional stage! I had the honor of joining in on a practice last week with Fairley Track Club and learned how they prepare for these life changing moments.

July fourth through seventh, track and field athletes from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi will all compete in the region six championship in Jackson, Mississippi. The top five student athletes from each division will qualify to compete in the National Junior Olympics at Texas A&M. 

Local track and field coach Larry Fairley with Fairley Track Club believes his athletes have what it takes to make it to College Station.

“We’ve been doing pretty good with our prep. I think our kids are all pretty close. This week we’re just working on cleaning up some things and making sure for the most part that they have the ability, it’s just making sure that they have the confidence to go and execute the way they need to, so we need to get a good week of practice and we’ll be fine.”

Fairley instills confidence in his athletes every chance he can get, and Southern Miss signee Aryn Eady is proof that confidence along with good coaching can help you achieve your goals and dreams.

“Being a freshman, I never thought I would be able to throw how far I am now,” said D’Iberville graduate Aryn Eady. “I was always the one saying, “I can’t do that, I wish I could throw that far!” and now being able to has really helped my confidence and my confidence in coach and knowing that if I say I can do it, then coach will be able to get me to that point, so it all starts in the mind.”

Eady isn’t the only athlete from Fairley Track Club headed to regional’s, either. She’ll be joined by Autumn Johnson, Jasleen Rice, T’Shailah Thomas, Sean Fairley, Jadan Miller, Brett Tyler, Samuel King, and Caden White.

All of the local athletes have different emotions towards competing at nationals, but one thing they all have in common is that they’re ready.

“It’s been tough and it gets close in competitions, but I think I’m ready for the challenge,” said St. Stanislaus’ Brett Tyler.

“I’m very grateful and all honor to God because He’s the only one that got me here including my dad,” said Christian Collegiate Academy’s Sean Fairley, son of Larry Fairley. “I just really want to win this year even though I got close last year. Really want to win this year.”

“We had to be in the top eight, but I came in top three, so next time I’m definitely going to be undefeated, the top one, all time,” said T’Shailah Thomas.

In the process of competing, they’re inspiring the next generation of track and field athletes, just like 7-year-old Caden White, who’s competing in the 8U division.

 “I’m just the best because I throw javelin farther than everybody,” young Caden White said confidently.

And their season doesn’t end there! out of the seven athletes that competed in the region six championship this past weekend, all of them advanced to the big show!

Not only did all of the participants advance, but rising eighth grader from Past Christian Samuel King is the 13/14’s Regional Champion in discus with a throw of 143’ 7. He received the gold in discus, and bronze in shot put. Congratulations, Sam!

Other medalist include seven-year-old Caden White, who earned silver in javelin, Christian Collegiate Academy’s Sean Fairley earned silver in discus, Jasleen Rice earned silver in discus, Autumn Johnson earned bronze in discuss, and finally Harrison Central’s Jadan Miller earned bronze in shot put and fourth in discuss. Joining them at the Junior Olympics in College Station is qualifier T’Shailah Thomas who placed fourth.

Congratulations to all of our local track and field athletes who advanced to the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics Championship! We look forward to cheering you on at the national level July 22nd through the 27th!