ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Earlier this week we told you about one organization that’s keeping kids off the streets and active during the summer. Sky’s the Limit is a track and field club that has 31 kids who have qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
On Thursday, NEWS10 learned about the financial hurdles they need to clear to make it to North Carolina for the competitions.
Ryan Buskey is one of those qualifiers and loves jumping. He is the number one high school high jumper in the state. Buseky said he joined the summer running club for one reason.
“Because I felt like I could do really well and I would get better throughout the year and I honestly did. I P.R.'d at the Junior Olympics and I jumped 6’6.75,” said Buskey.
That was last year and he qualified again this year. But now, he can clear a whopping 6’10.
Sky’s the Limit has grown significantly over the years. Now the team is full of athletes from 9 to 19 years old. Buskey praised another runner who will be returning to the Junior Olympics again.
“We have a kid named D3 and he is the national champion in the 200M, and he is 10 years old,” said Buskey.
He was talking about Derek Adams III, who is a 3 time All-American and just started running two years ago. He will be heading down to defend his championship in the 200 meter race. Adams runs with another club, the Superstars, but likes running with Sky’s the Limit too.
“Better competition and the older kids push me,” said Adams.
Runner Mariah Durenay broke her foot during a state meet earlier this year and has worked hard to get back to where she was prior to the injury. She can’t wait to compete next week.
“And me and my family have been putting a lot of work in and spending a lot of time so I’m excited for nationals,” said Durenay.
The team heads to North Carolina for the games on Saturday, but they are still trying to clear some financial hurdles.
They're looking to raise $6,000 more so all 31 qualifiers can compete next week. Head Coach Lisa Paparone said they are raffling gift baskets with things like car detailing, driveway repavement and various restaurant gift certificates. She said the best way to donate to the team is online.
