Photo Essay

PHOTOS: Rainier Beach Track Team Celebrates Championship Wins

Editor

by Susan Fried

The Rainier Beach Track Club had a good summer season, sending 22 to athletes to the 2019 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, California, in July. The team, coaches, families, and friends celebrated August 14 at Rainier Beach Community Center. Ten of the athletes had all American performances receiving medals in the 800, 100, race walking, shot put, and javelin.

James Roberson (Coach Vic), who has been a coach for the Rainier Beach Track Club for over 25 years, credited the success of the team to the high caliber of coaching and their approach to teaching the fundamentals of track: "Technically we have some of the best coaches in the area, we teach kids how to run right, throw correctly and jump well and that shows in their performances."

Coach Vic also thanked the other coaches for volunteering their time, having his back and for supporting and encouraging the athletes to do their best, and parents for cheerleading the children. As the coaches and team celebrated the success of the 2019 season, some parents and coaches were already planning ahead to next years National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Florida.

Rainier Beach Track Club member Anvi Bhatia, shows off the medals she won at the 2019 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Sacramento in July. The club sent 22 atheletes to the event, 10 medaled. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Anvi Bhatia, 10, stands up after being acknowledged as a medal winner at this years 2019 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships during an end of the year celebration for the Rainier Beach Track Club August 14 at Rainier Beach Community Center. Anvi was one of 22 members of the Club who participated in this years National Championship and one of 10 with an All American performance. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Members of the Rainier Beach Track Club pose for a picture during their end of the season celebration August 14 at Rainier Beach Community Center. The club sent 22 athletes to the 2019 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Sacramento in July, 10 returned with medals. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Taja Ward, who took 4th in the 13-14 girls shot put at the 2019 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Sacramento in July, listens to speeches by the Rainier Beach Track Club coaches during an end of the year celebration August 14 at the Rainier Beach Community Center. (Photo: Susan Fried)

📸 Featured Image: Six of the the 10 Rainier Beach Track Club members who medaled at this years 2019 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships pose for a picture during an end of the year celebration the team held August 14 at Rainier Beach Community Center. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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