By Ray Conner
Jayda Bushling continued her quest in making the Junior Olympic team.
This past weekend, Bushling traveled to the Bay Area to compete in the four events. She would compete in the long jump and three races. The 100m, the 200m, and the 400m. Needing to finish in the Top-5 of her events to qualify to move on to the USATF Junior Olympics in Texas at the end of the month. Bushling’s times and distances were stellar in each event, she was only able to qualify for the 400m. She found the podium in fourth place in the 400m in a time of 100.65.
She followed that up with a pair of sixth place finishes in both the long jump and the 200m. Bushling had a leap of 16’ 0.25” in the long jump. Her time in the 200m was 26.80. The 100m race saw Bushling run to a seventh-place finish in a time of 12.66.
Knowing she has qualified in the one event, Bushling can now focus on this and continue to strive for her goal of making the USATF Junior Olympic team.
While the endeavor will not be easy, Bushling will represent her community, her school, her friends and more import her family. With a resilience and a strong commitment of putting forth her best effort, Bushling will take on the challenge and make a run at showcasing her talent.
Note: According to Marcie Ellis Bushling, “the region is petitioning to take the top eight. If that is the case Jayda will qualify in all four events.” This is tentative and an exact timing is under advisement.
