Elysia Kunkler doesn’t begin her high school career at Iola High for another three weeks, but the soon-to-be Fillies’ freshman is already an accomplished athlete.
On Wednesday, Kunkler completed in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Houston, Texas.
“It was extremely exciting and overwhelming (to see her compete there),” Elysia’s mother Damaris Kunkler said following the race. “I am so proud of her.”
Elysia qualified in the 100-meter hurdles earlier this summer during a meet in Lawrence.
With her birthday falling late in the year, the 14-year-old was forced to complete in the 15-16 year-old division in Houston.
Kunkler ran in the fifth heat and finished 33rd out of the 82 competitors from across the country. She posted a personal-best time of 16.49.
“She takes it very seriously,” Damaris said. “Each time she has run she has improved her time.”
Elysia’s time was the fastest among runners from Kansas or Oklahoma, where she spends her summers.
Elysia’s family thanked the Iola track coaches for all the help they provided.
“Her coaches have just gone above and beyond when she is in town to get the track set up for her,” Damaris said. “Terry Lower, Marv Smith, Dana Daugharthy and Vickie Snavely have just helped with anything we’ve needed.
“Vickie really has helped hone her skills, I feel like. Vicki was my coach in high school so that is pretty cool.”
The event wraps up Kunkler’s busy AAU summer and she will soon be back in Iola to get ready for her freshman season of the Iola High cross country team.
“On her days off from running the 100-meter hurdles, she’s been running the long distances to get ready,” Damaris said.
