Track and Field: Special Forces Athletes Stay in Stride at Junior Olympics

(July 30, 2012) - Entering a 15th season, Special Forces track and field founder Nick Savage was worried how he could take the program to a new level after the success experienced last season with Briar Woods star Shaquera Leach committing to Virginia Tech and losing other stars to graduation and college with outstanding hurdle talent Britt Savage off to Stanford, Carina Peter off to VCU and Marcus Finney moving onto Norfolk State.

Always ready to go:  Steven Graham, Alex Merritt, D'ante Yarborough, Anthony York, Darron Coley, William Casey Jr., Jessica Rolle, Gabby Turner, Lexi Randall, Sydney Webb, Bryson Riddick, Angelo Easter, Beau Everett, Lorenzo Laurenzano

No need to fear as Special Forces -- which had 17 out 21 athletes qualify for the Junior Olympics a year ago with Leach leading the pack and becoming an All-American after a blazing performance in New Orleans -- had 21 out of 21 athletes qualify this summer for the USATF Junior Olympics and the AAU Junior Olympics.


It all starts at home as Savage explained: "I have to say the "track culture" has finally taken a stronghold in Northern Virginia and Loudoun County thanks to the talent of many key coaches and committed families in the area. They truly have been great this season. Loudoun County Parks and Rec and Stone Bridge High School have helped us tremendously as well by giving us track access and support."

North American Hershey champion Beau Everett qualified for both Junior Olympics.

"The young kids simply stepped up again in 2012 and reloaded!," said Savage. "It also doesn't hurt to have talent such as Steven Graham, Loudoun County High School star sprinter and state champion, Galissia Cause a New Balance throws champion and All-American, D'Ante Yarborough, the Stone Bridge regional hurdle champ and wide receiver, along with a host of other top notch talent that train with us in the winter.

When asked how the Special Forces track found the drive to succeed Savage continued, "I don't know how they did it, but the kids have stayed focused and committed despite the heat we have experienced this season. I think the all of kids actually see they can get opportunities to realize dreams to run at the next level. If not get better in other sports such as football and lacrosse."

More from Savage: "It doesn't hurt when nine kids get All-American in last 18 months that have been affiliated with the program at the high school or college level in football and track and come to practice or speak to the kids. We've been blessed."

At the younger division, outstanding miler, Lorenzo Laurenzano dashed to All-American status and a 4th place finish in the 1500 despite running in the outside lanes for the first two hundred meters due to confusion with the officials.

The quartet of Bryson Riddick, Ryan Thomas, Everett and Garret Kaplan competed in the 4x400 meters. Unfortunately, Everett experienced an injury in a previous meet and was unable to compete at full speed.

Leading Special Force in Maryland at Morgan State University at the USATF Championships, Yarborough ran a personal best14.43 in the 110 High hurdle to take 9th in the country.

Savage added, "D'ante actually should've been in the finals. His time was faster than one of the eight finalist! I never seen that happen where the eight fastest time didn't advance. It's okay though. He has two more years to be the National Champ. He's an All-American in my book."

Cause also added a 10th place finish in the shot put.

Meanwhile in Houston at the AAU Junior Olympics Championships this week, Darron Coley, Gabby Turner, Anthony York, Sydney Webb, Angelo Easter and Everett will lead another contingencies in hopes of bring home medals.

Upon returning from championships, the high school athletes will practice in a showcase setting for some of the top colleges in the country and return for fall sports.