These Orioles Can Fly!

Submitted and authored by Mandy Evans

Two Avon Intermediate School East students qualified for and ran in a United States of America Track and Field (USATF) National event — the USATF Cross Country (XC) National Junior Olympics. Two of the over 3,500 XC athletes from all over the United States were East's own Eli Nazier and Olivia Evans — both 6th grade students — running for NOVA Run Club. 

In November, both Eli and Olivia ran in the USATF Indiana State meet in Shelbyville. They both qualified for the USATF National Junior Olympics in December, which, by happenstance, was also in Shelbyville. As their coach stated perfectly, "With over 3,500 athletes, the races were absolutely loaded with athletes [from] all over the United States."

Eli is ranked 36th in the State of Indiana for 11- and 12-year-old boys in the 3k (1.86 mi). At the Junior Olympics, the national meet, there were over 400 runners in that division alone and Eli ran very well in that speedy division!

Olivia is ranked 19th in the State of Indiana for 11- and 12-year-old girls in the 3k. There were over 360 runners in her division at the Junior Olympics and she performed incredibly. She is currently ranked in the top 30% of 11- and 12-year-old girls in the nation. 

"I was scared because there were kids from all over the United States who were the fastest from their state, " said Olivia. "When we walked from the parking lot, I saw cars with license plates from all over the United States."  

Both Eli and Olivia ran XC for Avon Middle School North as 6th graders, which was really their first true genuine XC experience.

I told Eli and Olivia that they both absolutely deserved to be there and that they earned this. "Enjoy the experience," I told them. "Go out and run YOUR race. That's all you have to do." I'm so proud of both of them!

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Congratulations, Eli and Olivia! We'll look forward to cheering you on as you continue to compete!