Pinnick leads Aurora Flyers to 19 medals

August 15, 2008

The Aurora Flyers score 19 medals and four championships at the AAU National Junior Olympics Track and Field Championships. The Flyers were led by Waubonsie Valley senior Shakeia Pinnick who had totaled five medals and two championships.

Pinnick won the young women's heptathlon (4,883 points) as well as 800 in 2:12.37. She also was second in the 400 hurdles, running 58.98 seconds, the eighth-fastest high school time in the country this year. Pinnick also placed fifth in the 100 hurdles and sixth in the 400 dash.

Courtney Morgan of Nancy Young Elementary won the sub-bantam girls shot put (27-11.75) and was 10th in the high jump. McKinzie Schulz won the intermediate girls steeplechase (7:21.54), while Annette Eichenberger was eighth (8:02.68). Jahnell Horton placed third in the steeple at 7:35.90 and 800 (2:14.23) and was second in the 1500 (4:47.61). Horton also teamed up with teammate Eichenberger, Chantel Stennis and Cynthia Smith to place seventh in the 3200 relay.

Paige Crawford placed seventh in the youth girls 200 hurdles, Catriona McClowry was fifth in the young women's steeplechase (8:27.77) and seventh in the 3000 run (12:08.37). Derek Drew finished fifth in the intermediate boys 400 (49.66).

Overall the Flyers qualified 76 athletes to participate in the AAU Junior Olympics.