Every year, 8,000 track and field athletes in middle and high schools across the country converge on a stadium, this year in Greensboro, N.C., to compete against one another — and themselves — in the Junior Olympics.
To be invited to compete, students must place highly in multiple qualifiers, which involves plenty of training and travel. That may be part of the reason Roger Chen, an Abington Friends School freshman who attended the Greensboro event last summer, looks almost embarrassed to admit that he only started running a year ago. He’s humble, diligent, and keeps his head down but is also fiercely competitive. His other hobbies similarly require timekeeping and hard work: He likes puzzles, logic games, and chess, as well as playing video games with friends. But he’s also someone who has loved the outdoors since he was young, and as he’s gotten older, he’s gravitated toward cross country and track — though he does not yet know which one he prefers.
“It’s a tie between outdoor and cross country,” Chen said. “But not because they’re similar — it’s because they’re so different. The track is a flat surface, and you just go around the circle. You’re locked in, there’s nothing else to think about. But then cross country, it’s the opposite: The scenery constantly changes around you, the path might be bumpy, lots of different turns.”
Chen had to endure two rounds of qualifiers in his age-bracket — a top 15, and then a top five in his region. He qualified alongside four other AFS middle-schoolers: Autumn G., Auria B., Gabriel Anderson, and Lucy Byrd.
Like Chen, Auria’s path to the Junior Olympics began a year ago, but she was attached to a more specific goal — to claim the title of All-American, awarded to athletes who finish in the top eight in their event.
“I was very nervous because I had never made it this far before,” she said. “It was just a different experience.”
Auria ultimately placed fifth in the 800 meters, achieving her All-American status with a personal record (PR) of 2:19.
This sense of discipline and all-encompassing pursuit of a goal permeates everything Auria does, from studying to playing the clarinet. But competing against others is only part of the picture — what really thrills her is setting a new personal record.
“When you run a faster time than you did before, it feels like more than an achievement,” said Auria. “You didn’t just win a race, you beat yourself. You improved. You pushed it further.”
Chen, meanwhile, finds inspiration watching other athletes.
“There’s a national record holder from Texas who completed a 5K in just 14:44, and a 1,500-meter race in 4:02 — and those aren’t even his main events,” he said. “Sometimes it’s depressing because I might never be at that level, but it’s also motivational. Can I get there if I push myself?”
Chen did just that, ultimately setting PRs in both the 800 and 1,500-meter races, finishing the latter in an impressive 4:35.
Reflecting on her own achievement, Auria shared a piece of advice for younger athletes just starting out.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the nerves and the rankings,” she said. “I really wanted to be All-American. But the goal should be to push your own limits, because that’s where you really find growth. That’s where you start to feel unstoppable.”
For these AFS athletes, the Junior Olympics has proven to be much more than a competition; it’s been a journey of self-discovery, discipline, and resilience. With each race, they’re reminded that the real challenge isn’t about beating others but achieving their personal bests. As they look toward the future, they each seem to share the same outlook: Their best race is always the next one, and there’s no telling how far they’ll go.
Learn more about Abington Friends School and how athletics are an integral part of its educational program.
