Local Athlete Wins Medal

Sequoia Watkins

By Wallace E. Bohanon

Sequoia Watkins, of Asheville, NC, took 6th place in the Junior Olympics National Championship meet that took place in California this past July. Fifteen-year-old Sequoia competed as a hammer thrower for the first time this year.

Her coach, Jerry Lindholm, says, “It’s rare for a first time athlete to make the National Championships, and even rarer to win a medal and stand on the podium.”

The top athletes from all over the country compete in this meet which culminates the Track & Field season for young athletes ages 8 – 18. In order to qualify for the National Championship Meet, athletes must win medals in a Sectional Meet, State Championship Meet, and a Regional Meet. Only the top three medalists in the Regional Meet go on to the National Meet. Sequoia took 1st place in the Regional Meet.

The hammer throw is an
event in which athletes throw a 4-pound steel ball (attached to a 30
inch aluminum line and a steel handle) as far as they can. It’s an
event that requires skill and technique. Sequoia had to turn around a
few times, while spinning the ball over her head, and then let it fly.
She was able to throw it a distance of 112ft 9in.

Sequoia was especially thrilled to be able to leave Asheville, fly to
California, and compete with athletes from all over the nation. She
also won an award from her The Asheville Lightning team, for a team
member with the best attitude.

If you are interested in joining the Asheville Lightning Track &
Field team go to www.ashevillelightning.org, or call head coach Bill
Agrella at (828) 299-4663 or (828) 251-9900.