By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Distance runner Sophia Delisio crossed the finish line first in three events at an AAU Junior Olympics regional meet to qualify for the national finals to be held July 27 to Aug. 3 in Greensboro, N.C.
Delisio, a recent graduate of Simon Kenton High School, was the only member of the BCK Track Club who won three individual events at the regional qualifier. The Northern Kentucky University recruit placed first in the 1500-meter run, 3000-meter run and 2000-meter steeplechase in the girls 17-18 age group.
Sophia Delisio
Two members of the BCK Track Club were double-winners in individual events at the regional meet. Renae Kopser placed first in the 1500 and 3000 runs in the girls 15-16 age group. Ethan Wever won the 3000 run and 2000 steeplechase in the boys 15-16 age group.
The club’s other regional champions in individual age group events were Arnett Allison (girls 17-18 high jump), Quinn Eubank (girls 14 pentathlon), Allison Kopser (girls 12 1500 run), Audrey Jenkins (girls 10 triathlon), Aiden Smith (boys 17-18 2000 steeplechase) and Jackson Moore (boys 13 discus).
The top six finishers in each regional event qualified for the national meet. BCK Club members qualified in 78 individual events in eight different age groups. They also have eight relay teams in the 15-16 and 17-18 age groups going to Greensboro.
Shawn Proffitt is one of three local high school coaches who created the BCK Track Club for local athletes in 2016. The club’s three-letter name stands for Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. The coaches conduct training sessions two times a week to prepare club members for AAU track and field meets during the summer.
Junior Olympics national qualifiers for BCK Track Club
Girls 17-18 age group
Sophia Delisio (1500 run, 3000 run, 2000 steeplechase)
Madelin Baker (800 run, 1500 run, 2000 steeplechase)
Ashley Akins (800 run, 1500 run, 2000 steeplechase)
Abby Green (1500 run, 2000 steeplechase)
Megan Kelter (3000 run)
Sophia Palmer (3000 race walk)
Olivia Wieseman (discus, shot put)
Alana Weinberg (heptathlon)
Allison Arnett (heptathlon, high jump, javelin)
Hannah Miller (pole vault)
Savannah Harmon (pole vault)
Boys 17-18 age group
Brandon McDaniel (1500 run)
Aiden Smith (2000 steeplechase)
Noah Slone (2000 steeplechase, 3000 run)
Will Swinehart (800 run, 2000 steeplechase)
Corey Robinson (2000 steeplechase)
Brooks Boschert (3000 run)
Jackson Pitstick (discus, javelin, shot put)
Trey Bonne (high jump)
Girls 15-16 age group
Emma Hopkins (100 hurdles, heptathlon, high jump, triple jump)
Renae Kopser (1500 run, 3000 run)
Cara Weber (1500 run, 3000 run, 3000 race walk)
Natalie Curry (3000 run, 3000 race walk)
Kaitlyn Wilson (400 dash)
Jayden Profitt (javelin)
Boys 15-16 age group
Leo Bouldin (110 hurdles, 200 dash, 400 dash, long jump)
Dominic Taylor (1500 run, 2000 steeplechase)
Ethan Wever (2000 steeplechase, 3000 run)
Logan Whaley (2000 steeplechase)
Derril Carr (high jump)
Jackson Smallwood (discus, javelin)
Girls 14 age group
Quinn Eubank (100 hurdles, high jump, javelin, pentathlon)
Chloe Defevers (1500 run, 3000 run)
Boys 13 age group
Jackson Moore (discus, javelin, shot put)
Rex Thornton (triple jump)
Girls 12 age group
Allison Kopser (800 run, 1500 run, 3000 run)
Myah Longland (high jump, pentathlon, shot put)
Tiana Carr (pentathlon)
Girls 10 age group
Audrey Jenkins (high jump, triathlon)
