The 2024 Junior Olympics took place this year in Greensborough, North Carolina from July 27 to Aug. 3. Many Brentwood Christian School students participated in this national event, ranging from elementary to high school athletes.

Fourth grader Hendrix Eke, fifth graders Scarlett Smelzter and Noah Welsh, sixth grader Zephaniah Botello, sophomore Ava Johnson and junior Joshua Gonzales all attended the meet and represented their school and city well.

Johnson took fourth place in the 4x100 relay and eighth in the 4x400 relay. Her goal going into the Olympics was to get on the podium for a relay, similar to last track and field season for the Lady Bears, where she was the third leg in the state champion 4x100 and 4x200 relays, alongside recent alumnae Lyla Kate Jackson, Juliet Booker and Emily Mulcahy.

Johnson has a rigorous training schedule, on the track three times per week in addition to weekly strength training. That grind paid off in the form of her performance at the junior Olympic level.

“It was so fun placing and getting to connect with the girls on my team,” Johnson said.

Gonzalez, another state qualifier for the Bears in TAPPS 4A track and field last season, finished eighth in the decathlon and 38th in javelin. Gonzalez, who trains over 12 hours per week, finished seventh in the discus and fifth in the pole vault at state last season.

Going into the Olympics, Gonzalez’s goal was to achieve All-American status, but is looking forward to competing again this upcoming track and field season for BCS and to prepare for the next national opportunity.

Botello, new to BCS this year in middle school, beat her personal record in the 1500, which was her goal going into the Olympics. She plans on training even harder this upcoming track and field season, her first in a Lady Bears uniform, to make another appearance at the Olympics.

From the fourth grade, Hendrix Eke participated in the track and field course. Among his favorites were the 200- and 100-yard dash, with long jump - his overall favorite. He trained twice a day for four days a week, along with team practices.

“There were a lot of great runners [at the meet],” Hendrix Eke said.

Hendrix is the son of BCS fourth grade Veronica Eke, who is an assistant coach for the reigning state champion Lady Bear track and field team.

Smeltzer participated in the throwing events, like turbo javelin. She trained three days weekly and twice on the weekend. Although javelin was her favorite, she also threw the shot put. Her classmate, fellow fifth grader Noah Welsh, also enjoyed the throws, with discus being his top choice.

“I loved the experience; it felt like a trip I’d never been on,” Smeltzer said.

Hopefully, it is a trip that all will take again next year and for years to come.