On Nov. 15, sophomore Erin Gralton and juniors Megan Brawner and Alexsis Powell competed in the Junior Olympics Regional race for cross country held in Maine. “The Junior Olympics are broken up into three parts: districts, regionals, and nationals,” Brawner said. “It’s a chance for all high school athletes to compete against each other.”

The Junior Olympics are a solid training ground for runners from all age groups to compete at a national level. “You have to qualify for each race by placement,” Brawner said.

Brawner, Gralton, and Powell were the three girls from Ledyard to participate in the Junior Olympics 5K races. From this opportunity, all three girls qualified for Nationals on Dec. 13.

“I learned how to run in big races and to run competitively against other people that you’ve never run against before,” Gralton said. “I would definitely do it again.”

Apart from competing in such a prestigious race, the girls also bonded over the weekend in Maine. “It was so fun,” Gralton said. “Being in the hotel in Maine was the best because we fooled around a lot and became closer.”

While all girls qualified for Nationals, only Powell and Gralton will be traveling to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to race. “I really wanted to go to Nationals,” Brawner said. “However, track is my main focus right now.”

Leah Sheltry, Features Editor

Junior Leah Sheltry is Features Editor for the 2014-2015 Colonel. She is Vice President of YUGA club and is on the swim team.