Pollitt captures gold at JO's

Thursday, August 14, 2008
By Zach Caruso
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Justyce Pollitt knows what it takes to win gold.

The 13-year-old Glassboro native recently returned from his second trip to the AAU Junior Olympics in Michigan and once again came home with top honors.
Centex Homes Listings Click http://ads.advance.net/RealMedia/ads/click_lx.ads/www.nj.com/////ProxyLink/NJONLINE/CENTEX_NJCLICK/CentexListClick.html/ www.centexhomes.com

"It's really exciting," said Pollitt, a Glassboro resident who competes for TNT Track Club in Thorofare. "I'm still trying to get over the fact that this happened to me."

Pollitt captured two gold-medal finishes in the 2007 Junior Olympics, placing first in both the 4x100-meter Midget boys relay and the high jump. This year, he snagged another gold in the Sub-Youth high jump event with a jump of 5-foot-6.

But with one Junior Olympics appearance under his belt already, Pollitt entered the competition with relatively no nerves.

"There were some kids there that I had competed against last year," Pollitt said. "And it looked like they were jumping about as high as I was, but I wasn't too nervous. The only reason I was a little nervous was because of my back."

In fact, it is Pollitt's back that makes his win that much more remarkable.

After reaching for a rebound in a June basketball game, Pollitt injured his back and had to undergo physical therapy at TheraSport, a facility located in Sewell. Upon arriving in Michigan on July 26 for the Junior Olympics, Pollitt was dealt another blow.

"There was construction on the highway, and we were stopped," explains Pollitt. "A car behind us wasn't paying attention and ran into the back of us at around 45 miles per hour."

The accident left their car totaled, and Pollitt with an additional injury to his knee. But despite the obstacles he faced, he remained positive and managed to come out on top, bringing gold home to Glassboro.

"I'd have to say that this year's win means more to me than last year's," Pollitt said. "Last year I was pretty healthy, but more happened this year with the injuries and all. I definitely wanted it more this year."

Pollitt is already looking to return to the Junior Olympics next year, and knows exactly what it will take to continue his winning tradition.

"I'm going to keep going to physical therapy and get my back healthy," Pollitt said. "I'm also playing basketball and football this year, so I'm going to have to avoid injuries. It's going to take strength and determination."

He's already shown he's got plenty of both.