Local athletes prepare for Junior Olympics

ALBANY — While the Rio Olympics are more than three weeks away, the Junior Olympics will begin on Monday and numerous local track & field athletes will be competing in them.

The Ruff Riders Track Club of Albany will take 15 athletes of varying ages to Sacramento to compete in the Junior Olympics.

“It means a lot for these kids to go,” Ruff Riders coach Paul Jones said. “For them, this is really where track & field started. Some of the kids have been a part of this since they were 8 years old.”

Jones and his team will begin the cross country trek on Saturday morning and arrive in Sacramento nearly 40 hours later. Taking kids to the Junior Olympics is something Jones has been doing for almost 20 years.

“A lot of the time kids get noticed at the Junior Olympics,” Jones said. “It opens up so many doors for them. This is where all the college coaches will be, and it is the best of the best competing.”

Jones said it is not always about winning medals, but the experience of going to Junior Olympics that means a lot to his team.

While many athletes use the summer as a time to rest and get ready for the high school season, the Ruff Riders have not stopped to rest. The team has traveled to many out-of-state tournaments, and when they aren’t traveling or competing they are usually seeking donations to pay for their next competition.

“First of all, I do it to have fun,” Jordan Elder said. “I also do it to make sure that I stay in shape and that I’m ready and prepared for when I go to college.”

Jourdan Bell, who is entering his senior year at Monroe, has been part of the Ruff Riders since he was in seventh grade. Bell, who took his first trip to the Junior Olympics last year in Jacksonville, said he noticed how stiff the field of athletes was.

“I am really looking forward to the competition,” Bell said. “You never know what can happen during juniors.”

Jones said the thing that he notices is how dedicated the kids are. The Ruff Riders usually spend most of the morning and afternoon seeking donations before taking an hour break. They then reconvene at Monroe’s track for practice, but the kids never protest.

“That does something to me,” Jones said. “They never complain even after spending all day going office to office looking for donations.”

Anyone looking to contribute to the Ruff Riders can reach Jones at (229) 255-8127.