Two Alverno Seniors to Compete in National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Two Alverno High School Seniors, Eryn Blakely and Katherine Haysbert, will be traveling to Baltimore to compete in the 2012 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships taking place at Morgan State University from July 23-July 29. Eryn and Katherine qualified for the Junior Olympics following successful runs at the USATF Region 15 Championships at Cerritos College on Sunday, June 24.
Eryn Blakely, Alverno’s Most Valuable Runner in both Track and Cross County, will be competing in the Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships for the second time. Last year, she competed in the 800 meter race; however, she will be trying out a new event this year—the 2,000 meter steeplechase, which includes four hurdles and a water jump. For Eryn, the Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships will only be the third time she has competed in this event.
“I started running at Alverno during my freshman year when I joined the cross country team,” Eryn said, “I had never enjoyed running before but with the proper training and team, I have really come to love it. It is so exciting to be competing in the Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships again this month, there will be runners from all across the country and it will be a great honor to compete with them.”
Eryn will be joined in Baltimore by fellow Alverno senior, Katherine Haysbert. Like Eryn, Katherine is a relative newcomer to the world of competitive running having only started in eighth grade. Katherine, Alverno’s Most Valuable Runner for Cross Country and Most Inspirational Runner for Track, will be competing in the 800 meter race. She is currently training to beat her best time of 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
“Although I had played different sports in elementary school and enjoyed them,” said Katherine, “I really discovered a passion for running during eighth grade and at Alverno. I’ve never competed on a national level, but I am excited to participate in the Junior Olympics this month. I know it will be amazing opportunity for me as a runner.”
Although Eryn and Katherine both spend considerable time training, each of them is also committed to their academics as well. Both girls were on the 2011-2012 Honor Roll and each is taking a full course load, including Honors and AP courses, for their senior year. Eryn and Katherine were also recognized for doubling their required 40 hours of community service for the 2011-2012 school year.
“Alverno is so proud to have two young women competing in the 2012 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships this year,” said Ann Gillick, Head of School. “They both have trained incredibly hard and have the support of the entire Alverno community behind them. We wish them well as they continue to train and prepare for this momentous event. At Alverno, we strive to empower each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be and as seniors with so many accomplishments already, I believe Eryn and Katherine are well on their way to becoming exactly the person they want to be.”
About Alverno High School
Alverno High School is a Catholic, private, college preparatory school for young women dedicated to preparing them to function in a society as informed, knowledgeable persons, who have the requisite skills to make and implement mature decisions about complex problems. Enlivened by the spirit of its Immaculate Heart Community sponsors, and mindful of the Franciscan roots of its founders, Alverno’s program—academic, spiritual, aesthetic, social, and physical—is shaped by the staff, trustees, and students in light of the world for which the students are being educated. Alverno’s mission is to empower each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be and since 1960, Alverno has empowered more than 4,100 women to meet that goal. For more information about Alverno High School, please call 626-355-3463 or visit www.alverno-hs.org.
