Missouri City Wings Track Club sends over 110 athletes to AUA Junior Olympics

The Junior Olympics are coming to the Greater Houston area and the Missouri City Wings Track Club (WTC) is hoping for continued success as its student-athletes head to the AAU Junior Olympics.

The WTC is sending over 110 athletes to the Junior Olympics this year.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), one of the largest nonprofit volunteer multi-sport event organizations, will host its annual Junior Olympics in Humble, Texas from July 25 to August 7.

Since its inception in 1888, the AAU has set the standard for amateur sports in the United States with one goal in mind: “Sports for All, Forever”.

Over 13,000 athletes representing over 1,000 teams compete in the AAU Junior Olympics.

The WTC is one of the nation’s largest and most experienced athletic organizations in the state of Texas.

The 501.3 (c) non-profit company was founded in 1977 by Mr. Curtis Terrel to help young people who were interested in athletics competitions held at local, regional and national levels.

The Track and Field Club is deeply honored to help every athlete reach their full potential.

According to William Wilmington, head coach of the WTC, “the track club achieves this successfully by developing speed, endurance, athletic strength, encouraging high self-esteem, personal responsibility, self-discipline, goal setting and goal achievement.

“Our motto is, ‘Winning starts in your mind, not at the finish line,’ said Wilmington.

“Our athletes have trained diligently throughout the COVID pandemic and this training has qualified many for the Junior Olympics. As we resumed team training, our No.1 priority was to ensure our athletes were safe and adhering to all safety protocols, Wilmington said.

Shawn Snipes, a WTC athlete, is determined and excited to compete in the Junior Olympics for the second year in a row.

“Although the COVID pandemic has had an impact on my training, I am happy that my training has allowed me to peak at the right time,” said Snipes. He qualified this year for the 110mH and the 400mH.

Anthony Snipes, a parent from WTC, said: “It’s great to see these kids setting goals and training hard to achieve them. I am so proud of each of them.

To get to the Junior Olympics, young athletes must participate in the AAU district and regional qualifying rounds across the country.

The Greater Houston area is known to be home to some of the nation’s top track and field athletes each year and has at least 88 AAU clubs.

“Despite the pandemic, our athletes have persevered and their participation in the AAU Junior Olympics is a testament to their commitment to excellence,” said Wilmington.

The club continues to represent Missouri City and the greater Houston area with several national and state top 10 rankings according to www.coacho.com and www.milesplit.com.

The strengths of the WTC:

• The 4×4 relay of the division of young women aged 17-18 is classified among the first 6

• The 15-16 Intermediate Women’s Division 4 x 400 is ranked among the top 12 in the country.

• The 4×4 relay of the boys 13 to 14 division is ranked first in the country

• The 4×1 relay of the girls 8 and under division is classified among the first 6

• The 17-18 young men’s division has two 4×4 relay teams, one ranked in the top 6 and the other in the top 10

• Chizaram Stephens, 11-12 Midget Girls Division is nationally ranked in the Houston 100m, 200m and 400m at the Olympics.

• David Carbajal (13 year old boys) – Top 6 in the 800 and 1500.

• Sydney Bryant, 16-year-old intermediate women’s division, is ranked in the top 20 in the 100m

• Shawn Snipes, 15 in the top 5 in the Texas Intermediate Men’s Division and top 20 nationally, 400mH

• David Barrett, 14 years old from the young boys’ division ranked best runner in the 200m and among the top 6 in the 100m

• Dillon Mitchell, 12, Midget Boys division ranked in the top 10 in the 100m

• Graylen Houston, 13 year old boys’ division, first in the pentathlon, top 3 in the 200mH

• Brycen Collins-Williams, 14 year old boys’ division, top 10 in the 200mH

• Justus Hadnot, 15-16 years old men’s intermediate division, top 3 at 110mH

• Christopher Brinkley, Young Men Division 17-18 years old, top 3 in the 400mH

• Andrew Huff, 15-16 years old men’s intermediate division, top 3 at the Discus

• Courtney Wilmington, young women’s division 17-18, top 3 in the 400mH

According to Coach Deborah Mitchell, WTC Chief Girls’ Coordinator, “Our student-athletes need our dedication and support throughout the year. The community is encouraged to follow the WTC through our website at www.wingstrackclub.com. We also hope the community will join us for our 2021 Run & Walk for the Arts, Athletes & Health on October 9, 2021 at Kitty Hollow Park. The day will include a 5 km (3.1 mile) walk and run around the lake, financial literacy clinics and a health fair.