Chaffee athletes qualify for national AAU meet

By David Wilson ~ Southeast Missourian

Twelve track athletes from Chaffee saw a summer of practice pay off recently at the Show-Me State Games.

Johnson coaches 42 kids on an area AAU track team. Of the 42 athletes on coach Tina Johnson's squad, 18 qualified to go to the games, but only 12 were able to go.

The 12 returned with 27 medals, including two sportsmanship awards. The sportsmanship awards are given to the top 10 kids that demonstrate outstanding enthusiasm throughout the events.

Athletes were required to fund the trip because the AAU doesn't cover expenses.

"It's parent-funded all the way," Johnson said. "I try my hardest to make sure they can go."

The team spent the majority of the summer at fund-raisers, including face paintings, bake sales, carnivals, softball games and a candle sale.

"If you want to go, we can make it happen for you," Johnson said.

The 12 now will prepare for the national meet in Hartford, Conn., in the summer of 2005. Nationals are held only once every two years and they'll begin raising money for that immediately.

"It doesn't matter if you have money," Johnson said. "It's an individual sport that's what makes track so awesome."