Rising Eagles (National Junior Olympics Qualifiers)

Indianapolis will never be the same again! Now that the Country Mills Eagles have landed with their National Junior Olympic qualifiers, the city of Indianapolis may never recover. After having 41 of their 53 athletes qualify for the Region 1 Junior Olympics in Queensbury, NY on July 8th - 10th, there were 22 that qualified to go to Indianapolis, IN for the USATF National JO's.

"It was just what each of these athletes needed!", said Coach Anthony Mills. "The best way to improve ones talent level, is to have the opportunity to place that talent against the best in the USA." With more than 6,000 athletes and an additional 9,000 spectators, the stadium was alive with anticipation and excitement. Many of the athletes that qualified from the Country Mills Eagles team, did so in more than one event. Coach Mills attributes that success to the fact that the athletes have learned many of the basic motor skill movements while participating with the Eagles in earlier years. He said, "Now each athlete is reaping the benefits of taking the time and effort while training to develop the basic skills of running, jumping, and throwing!"

Not only did the Country Mills Eagles take 22 athletes to the National JO's, but they expected to be competitve. Ian Hogan placed 11th in the Youth Boy's Pentathlon, while his counterpart, Kelly Richardson was 9th in the Bantam Girl's Triathlon. Steve Farenell, the father of Erika Olsson Farenell, adds, "The Country Mills Eagles create a family atmosphere! And for their efforts, we (the families and athletes that participate) have seen this team experience some great successes."