Getting Olympians All at Centre College an Amazing Feat

Posted: Sunday, June 22, 2014 5:36 am

 

By LARRY VAUGHT larry@amnews.com Central Kentucky News                                                                    



Aries Merritt, the gold medalist in the men’s 110-meter
hurdles at the 2012 Olympics, talks with athletes as they take a
break from training at the Maximum Velocity Track & Field
Academy at Centre College. “I loved this camp,” Merritt said.

Lauryn Williams is used to being around some of the nation’s elite track and field athletes. However,

Sarah Hayhurst, left, of Fort Wayne, Ind., who will
 compete for Centre College next year, watches video of her
pole vault attempt with instructor Mark Hollis.Photos
by Mike Marsee/mmarsee@amnews.com

she’s not used to seeing so many of them in a small town like Danville working at a camp like they have been at the Maximum Velocity Track and Field Academy at Centre College.


“I am amazed at who has been here,” said Williams, one of only five people ever to win a medal in the Winter and Summer Olympics. “To get these people in the same room — and not just smiling and waving at you but actually working and coaching — is an amazing feat.



Instructor Jamie Nieto, who just missed a medal in
the 2012 London Olympics, watches high jumpers
work on their steps during a drill.

 “If more people knew about this camp, they would be here because it’s hard to get us all in the same place, or even just get one of us to do this. But to have so many Olympians here at one time is just a blessing for all these kids because they can learn so much.”

 

The camp, directed by Centre track coach Lisa Owens, opened Wednesday and ended Saturday with participants competing in the Bluegrass State Games on the Centre track.