Eight athletes from the Pella Track Club will be competing in eleven events at the AAU Jr Olympics starting this weekend in Des Moines. Eric Pingel started the Pella Track Club three years ago with 15 athletes participating and says it has grown to over 60 athletes this year. Pingel says as a track and field enthusiast he wanted to get kids interested in the sport at a younger age: He says the club is associated with two national groups which gives the athletes a chance to participate in several meets including a state meet and national competitions: He says athletes are able to compete in and learn many different events depending on their likes and dislikes including all running events from the 100 meters up to the 3000 meters as well as any field events including the javelin, and the pole vault and even decathlon and triathlon events. He stresses that this is a come and go as you please type of club with no pressure put on the athletes. Members are not required to attend practices or even compete in meets but the opportunity is there for them if they chose. He says practices usually start in late April and run through June. The eight athletes that will compete in the Jr Olympics beginning tomorrow at Drake Stadium include Wade Pingel, Jodan Pingel, Tanner Phelps, Annika Pingel, Kenny DuPre, Kelcey Blommers, McKenna Reickhoff, and Josh Miller. KNIA/KRLS will bring you results as they become available. For more information on the Pella Track Club go to their website at www.pellatrackclub.org or contact Eric Pingel

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