Elysia Kunkler, who will enter Iola High School as a freshman in the fall, is “high stepping” her way to the medal stand this summer.
Kunkler, 14, will compete at a regional track meet in Lawrence Saturday and Sunday as a member of the Norman (Okla.) High Steppers, an AAU-certified track and field club.
Kunkler qualified for the regional meet by taking second at a state-level competition in Tulsa on June 11.
She took second in her class in the 100- and 400-meter dashes, and in the 100-meter hurdles. She also ran the first leg with the High Steppers’ gold medal-winning 4×100-meter relay team.
Just as remarkably, Kunkler — who doesn’t turn 15 until this fall — is competing against 15- and 16-year-olds.
A top finish in Lawrence would secure Kunkler a slot in a national track meet in Houston, Texas, in August.
Kunkler plans to run cross country and track at IHS. She also is likely to play basketball in the winter.
Kunkler holds the Iola Middle School record in the 100-meter hurdles when she ran a 18.10 time topping Emery Driskel’s 2011 time.
