Dale City youth qualify for USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships

Submitted: 

WOODBRIDGE – The Dale City “LIGHTNING” Track Club (DCTC) have 3 athletes that have qualified to compete in the 2016 50^th USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, being held July 25 – July 31 in Sacramento, California.  In the spirit of the Rio 2016 Olympics, USATF athletes will travel from across the USA to compete in various track and field and multi-events. Athletes had to finish in the top 5 amongst all athletes competing in their age division for each track event in both state and regional championships. Raven Evans (12), qualified in the 100m, Ruquyuah Byrd (10) qualified in the 400m and Taja Honay (16) qualified in the 100m.

Since the mid-1960’s, the USATF Junior Olympic program has been the most visible youth athlete developmental program in the world.  Nearly 70,000 youth athletes compete each year in the Junior Olympic Track & Field and Cross Country programs and many of America’s Olympians began as youth athletes. “The DCTC team had an outstanding season this year; we had a record number of youth athletes participating in track this season.  Many of those athletes broke their personal records this season,” stated Head Coach Monte Evans. “We could not be prouder of all our athletes, their hard work and dedication shows.”

DCTC introduces kids of all abilities to sprinting, hurdles, distance running and field events such as the shot put, discus turbo javelin toss and long jump. DCTC promotes good sportsmanship, nutrition motivates our athletes to improve their physical conditioning, and instills leadership skills to help our youth build a positive self-image. DCTC had over 150 youth athletes participate in the Spring track season.  

Dale City Lightning

The Dale City “LIGHTNING” Track Club (DCTC) was established in 2010, as a track and field running club in the Prince William County, Northern Virginia area. DCTC is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and our mission is to offer youth a positive environment that is fun, competitive, social, and informative about the sport of track and field. DCTC coaches and staff seek to improve our athletes’ leadership skills, enhance their athletic ability, combat juvenile delinquency, encourage greater participation in school sport programs and, in general, develop character in our youth that will foster necessary life skills.

DCTC operates three programs throughout the year, Spring Outdoor season (March – July); Cross Country season (September – October); and Indoor Track season (October – February). DCTC has roughly 300 youth athletes across these three programs. On average there are approximately 150 athletes that practice and compete on a weekly basis. Program activities are implemented by volunteer coaches and parents.  For more information about DCTC’s program, please visit www.dalecitytrack.org,