In 2017, Friends' Central's Avery Lewis won the 12yo 200m dash at the AAU Junior Olympic Games
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With the AAU Junior Olympic Games coming up on the schedule in July and August, we're going to rewind it back a few years to check in with our athletes before they were high school stars.
Even in 2017, we could see early signs that these athletes had something special going on.
First up, we're going to check in with the 12-year-old 200 meter dash final from the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Even six years ago, it was a star-studded affair. Of the eight girls on the line, seven would have state-qualifying, state championship and national-level performances by 2022. One athlete (she won this race) currently holds two state records.
WATCH LIVE: THE 2022 AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES
BEGINS AIRING FROM JULY 30 - AUG. 6
Season/Career Breakdowns:
Avery Lewis, Friends' Central (PA): Won three PA Independent School AA titles in 2022 (100m, 200m, LJ). All-time PA record-holder in the 60m indoors; All-time PA state record-holder in the LJ indoors; Freshman class national-record holder in the long jump (21-2.5).
Zaya Akins, Raytown (MO): Won a NBNO national title in June; Won three Great Southwest titles in the 100m-200m-400m in 2022; Was the MSHSAA Class 4 state champion in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Akala Garrett, Harding University (NC): Won a NCHSAA Class 4A title in the 100mH-300mH; qualified for the World U20 Championships with her win at USATF U20 Champs in 57.47; U.S. No. 1 in 100mH, 300mH, 400mH.
Somiyah Braggs, Miami Southridge (FL): Second in the 100m at FHSAA Class 3A Championships.
Cynteria James, Miami Southridge (FL): Fourth in the 100m at FHSAA Class 3A Championships, Fourth in 200m.
Ella Cooper, Baltimore Bryn Mawr (MD): Second in 100m at Maryland Private School Championships, third in the 400m; 1st in the 400m, 2nd in the 100m-200m at IAAM Outdoor Championships.
Armanie Coleman, Jacksonville First Coast (FL): 7th in 100m at FHSAA Class 4A Championships.
Check out race video from when these girls were AAU standouts were scorching the track in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
AVERY LEWIS, FRIENDS' CENTRAL (PA)
3-time individual PAISA state champion in Pennsyvlania
2017 Result: 12yo 200m Champion
Event 27 Girls 200 Meter Dash Finals - 12 years old=============================================================================== National: N 24.63 8/4/2007 Aaliyah Brown, Matteson, IL Name Year Team Finals Wind Alternate =============================================================================== Finals 1 Avery Lewis 05 Parkesburg, PA 25.01 1.1 2 Zaya Akins 05 Kansas City, MO 25.36 1.1 3 Cynteria James 05 Miami, FL 25.39 1.1 4 Ella Cooper 05 Owings Mills, MD 25.83 1.1 5 Armanie Coleman 05 Jacksonville, FL 25.95 1.1 6 Faith Evans 05 Simpsonville, SC 25.98 1.1 7 Akala Garrett 05 Charlotte, NC 26.04 1.1 8 Somiyah Braggs 05 Cutler Bay, FL 26.41 1.1
Event 27 Girls 200 Meter Dash Semifinals - 12 years old8 Advance: Top 2 Each Heat plus Next 2 Best Times ================================================================================== National: N 24.63 8/4/2007 Aaliyah Brown, Matteson, IL Name Year Team Semis Wind H# Alternate ================================================================================== Semi-Finals 1 Avery Lewis 05 Parkesburg, PA 25.24Q -0.9 3 2 Zaya Akins 05 Kansas City, MO 25.81Q -3.1 2 3 Armanie Coleman 05 Jacksonville, FL 26.26Q -1.3 1 4 Faith Evans 05 Simpsonville, SC 26.07Q -0.9 3 5 Cynteria James 05 Miami, FL 26.14Q -3.1 2 6 Akala Garrett 05 Charlotte, NC 26.30Q -1.3 1 7 Ella Cooper 05 Owings Mills, MD 26.28q -0.9 3 8 Somiyah Braggs 05 Cutler Bay, FL 26.42q -1.3 1 9 Sage Hinton 05 Owings Mills, MD 26.49 -0.9 3 10 Alani Hodge 05 Cleveland Heights, 26.56 -1.3 1 11 Lailah Palmer 05 Southfield, MI 26.71 -1.3 1 12 Fatima Banks 05 Port Allen, LA 26.76 -0.9 3 13 Mirai Bernard 05 Sterling, VA 26.88 -0.9 3 14 Simone Kelly 05 Philadelphia, PA 26.93 -3.1 2 15 Serenity Brazell 05 Tampa, FL 27.04 -3.1 2 16 Paris Talley 05 Philadelphia, PA 27.10 -1.3 1 17 Kylee Bernard 05 Cambridge, MA 27.14 -3.1 2 18 Caitlynn Bridges 05 West Bloomfield, MI 27.31 -3.1 2 19 Brittany Jennings 05 Jacksonville, FL 27.34 -1.3 1 20 Deja Anderson 05 Springfield, IL 27.37 -0.9 3 27.365 21 Amani Mason 05 Little Elm, TX 27.37 -3.1 2 27.366 22 Akata Wise 05 Baltimore, MD 27.42 -3.1 2 23 Morgan Crockett 05 Pembroke Pines, FL 27.53 -0.9 3 24 Mackenzie Robinson 05 Ypsilanti, MI 27.62 -1.3 1