Dave Allison
Several Joliet teens are in the Olympics in Sacramento, CA which began July 25. Twelve excited youth between 13 and 16 yrs. old are representing Illinois at the USATF Junior Olympics from The Joliet Prestige Athletic Club. One of the 12 athletes qualified for the AAU Track and Field Junior Olympics in Greensboro, NC and will compete beginning August 1st.
The Prestige Athletic Club, an athletic and leadership training organization for youth was conceived by retired sergeant Nathan Atkinson. A Joliet native, while in high school Atkinson was a member of the school’s track team. After graduating he joined the military.
” It all started when I ran in the Junior Olympics myself, and I got to travel to Florida, Texas, and California. When I went to the army, I started coaching track and field, Atkinson said.” He applied programs he developed for speed and agility while serving in the military in Washington State and Japan. “That’s when I started putting my ideas down on paper and developed a program targeted to track and field.”
AIM HIGH is the mission and what the club coaches instill in the young athletes. The name PRESTIAGE represents, Perseverance, Respect, Education, Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Gratitude, and Encouragement. Derrick Moore and Charles Martin are local coaches who assist Atkinson in training the athletes.
After Atkinson retired and learned his mother was ill, he moved back to Joliet. “That’s when I decided to work with Coach Marcus Morris, who had trained me when I was younger. He encouraged me to start my own program. That’s how Prestige was born.”
Education is an integral part of the program, as is parental involvement.
Jasmine Kier is the mother of Malik Taylor Kier, who is competing in the Junior Olympics 4×400 and 4×100 events.
“This is my son’s first year in doing any athletics. Since he’s joined coach Atkinson’s program, he’s learned things that he didn’t learn at Joliet West. He’s become more goal oriented and is definitely interested in getting good grades. He’s keeping up his motivation to get a scholarship and go to college. So far, I would say that he is very focused.”
Kevin Cole is competing in the 100 meters event and was also selected as a qualifying athlete in the AAU Trace and Field competition in Greensboro, NC on August 1.
“I feel great. I thank God for letting me progress to this opportunity, I also have to thank by Dad, who helped me practice during the off-season.
“The 100-meter dash is one of the toughest events to compete in,” Cole said. “I’ll be competing against more than 50 people. I feel that if I can just make it to the finals, I’ll be okay. I know I’ll have to give it all I’ve got!”
Kevin’s father, Donnell Cole, commented that Kevin is getting a real lesson in the value of hard work. “I’m really happy for him,” the elder Cole said. “He’s been really working hard over the entire summer and I’m happy to see him get some results from his dedication.”
Donnell Cole said he was hesitant about the program at first, but when he learned that Coach Atkinson was involved, he was all in. “I know this was going to be something special. I went to the same school as Coach Nate, so I’m familiar with his accomplishments.”
Cole says he plans to watch his son compete in Greensboro. He also plans to be in Sacramento. “It’s the experience of a lifetime,” he said. “”It’s a real chance for him to learn the value of persistence and dedication in working toward a goal. Hopefully, this will potentially lead to a college scholarship. These competitions are a foundational step toward that goal.”
Austin Roswell, a student at Lincoln Way West in New Lenox described it as “super exciting!
“I think that even if I don’t place, it’s a great experience. The most exciting thing about it is that I get to represent Illinois.” Roswell is competing in four events, the 100, 200 and the 4×100, and 4×400. “There’s about 80 or 90 kids competing in the 100 alone, so the competition is stiff.” Roswell says he’s looking forward to the competition. He hopes to use the experience as inspiration for future competitions. “I hope to one day go to the Olympics,” he said.
Lauren-Michelle Manning, a junior at Minooka High School is competing in the 4×100 and 4×400. “I really enjoyed the hard work that it took to get here. I got to meet new people and bond with them during the training at Prestige. I also learned to set new goals for myself and to learn different ways of doing things so that I could do better in competition.”
The USATF Junior Olympic Qualifying Athletes are:
- Ethan Gonzales 100m and 200m
- Nick DePaolo 400m and 4×100 and 4×400
- Austin Roswell 100m, 200m, 4×100, 4×400
- Malik Taylor Keir 4×400, 4×100
- James Kojuro Jr. 4×100, 4×400
- Izaac Gonzales 4×100, 4×400
- Lauren-Michelle Manning 4×100, 4×400
- Elizabeth Egwunwoke 4×100, 4×400
- Mariah Brooks 4×100, 4×400
- Mckenzi Winfrey 4×100, 4×400
- Maciah Marszalek 4×100, 4×400
AAU Track & Field Junior Olympics Qualifying Athlete
- Kevin Cole 100m
The Prestige Athletic Club is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations and sponsorships pay the costs to train student athletes. For more information visit prestigeathleticclub.com.
Following the Junior Olympics, the Club will have an awards ceremony at Bicentennial Park on August 8th.
Dave Allison, TW reporter – dallision@thetimesweekly.com
Austin Rowswell, made it to the semifinals for the 100m dash.