It has been a busy summer and athletes across the country have been competing well past the end of the 2026 outdoor track & field season.
Grovetown welcomed athletes from 8 to 18 years of age during the final week of June to compete at the AAU Region 8 Championship in preparation for the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa, beginning August 1st through the 8th.
Here are a few athletes you need to keep an eye on as the summer's biggest track & field extravaganza nears.
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Amarushakur Harris, Mercury TC - 17/18 Girls
Harris swept the 100m dash and 100m hurdles at the AAU Region 8 Qualifier, continuing a remarkable junior season. The Georgia standout also claimed state titles in the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles while finishing runner-up in the 100m dash, establishing herself as one of the Southeast's premier sprinters and hurdlers.
Nearly unbeatable over the hurdles, Harris has won 18 of her 20 hurdle races this season and finished the outdoor campaign ranked US #19. If she makes the trip to Des Moines, she'll be one of the favorites to earn multiple All-American honors.
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Dante Thompson, The Storm TC - 14 Boys
Thompson completed the distance sweep at the Region 8 Qualifier, winning the 800m, 1,500m, and 3,000m while setting a personal best of 2:10 in the 800m. He has also remained undefeated in the 3,000m this season, highlighted by a 10:09 victory at the USATF South Carolina Junior Olympic Championships.
The Storm TC distance star will be making his third appearance at the AAU Junior Olympic Games and enters the national meet in outstanding form. His consistency across all three distance events should make him one of the top contenders in his age group.
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Walker Ferguson, Greer All Stars TC - 17/18 Boys
Ferguson captured the javelin title at the Region 8 Qualifier while also finishing second in the pole vault. The South Carolina state champion owns a season-best throw of 219-10, ranking 7th nationally, and added a victory this summer at the Under Armour National Championships.
There will be few athletes in Des Moines with a stronger summer track & field resume. Ferguson is the defending USATF National Champion in the javelin and in 2024, he won a national title on the AAU circuit after a pair of runner-up finishes at the 2022 and 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games. He'll be the athlete to beat in the javelin.
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Charlotte Green, Elite Speed TC - 14 Girls
Green remained undefeated in the high jump this season, successfully defending her AAU Region 8 title after clearing a personal-best 5-3.75 earlier this summer at the AAU District State Qualifier. She also claimed the high jump title at the adidas Middle School National Championships in June, establishing herself as one of the nation's top young jumpers.
The Elite Speed TC standout has consistently delivered in championship meets throughout the outdoor season. Entering Des Moines without a loss in the event, Green will be one of a few favorites contending for a national title.