Second annual South Bend Police Athletic League Track and Field Showcase
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It was a showdown of speed at John Adam’s High School Fri. evening, where about 50 of South Bend’s Police Athletic League (PAL) members competed in the second annual track and field showcase.
Five of the young runners at the showcase will be heading to Texas on Sun., as they qualified over the summer for the 2025 AAU Junior Olympics.
“Most of the kids… this is either their first or their second year running track period. Last year we had one or two qualify, [they] weren’t able to go. This year we were blessed enough to be able to sponsor all five kids to be able to send them down there and give them the opportunity to compete,” said Georgia wells, the PAL track and field head coach and a detective for the South Bend Police Department.
Wells said it’s the support from the community that helps her athletes shine.
“Being on this national stage is a huge accomplishment, you know, it’s going to open doors for them down the line when it comes to college or high school and other athletics. However far they want to take it and just know that they have that support here at home is gonna make the world of difference,” expressed Wells.
Each of the five Junior Olympic qualifiers had their own advice to share for any kid thinking about joining one of the activities PAL has to offer.
Zyaire Washington, a second grader at Bittersweet Elementary School, passionately exclaimed, “Come on! You got this!”Meanwhile, Peyton Bradford, a second grader at Christ the King Catholic School, offered the encouragement to “Try their best,” and Joel Wells, a third grader at Battell Elementary School, gave the awesome advice to “Push more.”
Finishing out the wise words from these rising stars, Tray’Von Irons, a third grader at Coquillard Elementary School, said to “Listen and do your best.” The fifth and final Junior Olympic qualifier, Maurice Griffin, added, “Keep trying and never give up, because they can do it one day.”
To follow along with the five future Olympians during their trip to Texas, click here.