Junior Olympic competitors run up accolades
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEW10) – 31 Capital District track and field athletes competed in the AAU Junior Olympic Games. They are part of a local summer track club called Sky’s the Limit and NEWS10 has updates on how those athletes did.
In his second year running with Sky’s the Limit, Kyler Alston finished second in Greensboro, North Carolina after running the 400 meter hurdles in 52.59 seconds. Now, he’s a seven time All-American.
“I’m sad I can’t go back next year to be able to go with the team but I’m glad that I got the opportunity to go this year again,” said Alston.
He has aged out of AAU competitions but hopes to continue coaching with Skys the Limit.
He praised his teammates like high jumper Ryan Buskey. NEWS10 told you how Buskey is number one in the state.
In Greensboro, Buskey finished first in the 15-16 year old boys high jump and cleared a whopping 6’6.75. He executed his run up with great form. Now, he has a new title.
“I’m just glad I got to see him become a National Champ,” said Alston. “And another one of my teammates, she just got her first All-American, her name is Lilyana Griffin. And I just remember watching her 400M race. Me and her sister were cheering for her on the sidelines. she just did an amazing job and i couldn’t be more proud of her,” said Alston.
Griffin is just 12 years old but she competed against 13 year olds. She finished the 400M race in just 58.43. We caught up with Griffin as she was preparing to head down for the Junior Olympics and she described how her sister, former state champion, Leonni Griffin – who is Boston University bound – was instrumental in her training.
“Throughout this outdoor season I got injured and when I was coming back she helped me really build and helped me come back to the point where I am now and she trained with me everyday,” said Lilyana.
It’s Lilyana’s first year running with Sky’s the Limit.
“It feels great because it’s like newer. It’s like my first year running track so it feels good to be going into this competitive level so early,” said Lilyana.
“Yeah I’m just really happy and proud of my teammates who were out there competing as well,” said Alston.
As for Alston, – who also competed in Texas at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships – he’s getting ready to run for Hudson Valley Community College and has set up his transfer portal for the NCAA, so he can transfer out and go to the next level.
“Texas was amazing. Especially because the school we competed at was Texas A&M and that’s my dream school, that’s where I want to go to run track,” said Alston.