The 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Games Hurdles Preview

Jul 24, 2019

WATCH LIVE: AAU JUNIOR OLYMPICS

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Athletes competing in the hurdles often withstand one of the most physically taxing events on the track.

And there's no argument it's one of the most technical, too, with the combination of an all-out sprint coupled with pristine form over a series of hurdles.

At the AAU Junior Olympic Games, it's bound to be one of the most exciting events, with extremely talented athletes competing at various age brackets: 11-year-olds D'Asia Duncan and Zacchaeus Brock; 13-year-old Alec Reed; 16-year-olds Na'Taja Ballard and Michaela Rose; and 17-year-old Aasia Laurencin.

Ballard and Rose both recently completed their sophomore seasons in high school. Ballard, the sister of Kentucky signee Shadajah, had a very good sprint season in Virginia, finishing second and third in the 200m and 400m at its state championships, respectively, while Rose scored a New Balance Nationals Outdoor title in the 800m and an Emerging Elite win in the 400m.

Both athletes should be among the most talented at the line of their respective age brackets.

Laurencin, meanwhile, is probably in the best form right now, having won an AAU National Club Championship in the 100mH in 13.62, along with a third-place medal at New Balance Nationals Outdoor and a runner-up finish at Michigan's state championships.

Laurencin, who owns a PR of 13.43, has the potential to drop even more times at the Games. Check below for top seeds in the hurdle events at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

Up Next:

Sprints Preview (12 p.m., Wednesday)
Hurdles Preview (6 p.m., Wednesday)
Throws Preview (12 p.m., Thursday)
Distance Preview (8 a.m. Friday)
Jumps Preview (12 p.m. Friday)