Five Hills Track & Field Club

Steffin is featured in Sports Illustrated for Kids' "Faces in the Crowd" on page 16. Many athletes are fast, but Steffin sets himself apart becuse he's hunger to succeed. He internally has the distinct desire, awareness, and commitment in the heat of competition which has propelled him to national prominence. Steffin awareness is his strength and then there's his gift of speed. He's an athlete who needs goals and incentive in front of him to conquer. We felt he could challenge the national records in the 100m and 200m. The long jump record was clearly his all season. Going into the Junior Olympics in New Orleans special instructions were given to Steffin. We wanted to challenge the records in the 100m and 200m in the preliminaries and ride out the next two rounds of qualifying to rest his young and explosive legs. We got the 100m as planned in 13.73, and just missed the 200m by a blink of an eye. The 200m Dash is a challenge within Steffin, so we didn't allow him to run the 200m until his started his Junior Olympic qualification in Texas. We felt running the 400m Dash would play large dividends in increasing muscle endurance, while gaining great confidence once on the national stage. So, Steffin in top form and following his race strategy, plus additional guidance from his father, Willie McCarter, "Keep running fast past the clock," which was two meters past the finish line. Steffin broke the 200m national record in the finals in a blazing 28.43. The Long Jump was without question in the books: a gold, a record, and a awesome conclusion to his 2005 Olympic participation. Steffin waisted no time exceeding the Long Jump record of 13' 7" with a high flying leap of 14' 1". The jump was recorded, but the wind meter indicated a 3 mph wind, so Steffin would get the mark, but not the record. Coach Griffin tried hard to pursuade the judges to only allow him to jump in a legal wind to no avail. Steffin would exceed the record again in an illegal wind. Steffin McCarter sprinted away from the AAU Junior Olympics in New Orleans with three Gold Medals, two National Records, and a commanding display of grace in the air excedding the national record in the Long Jump. Congratulations to the McCarter Family,Friends, the Five Hills Track & Field Club, and young Steffin McCater for being singled out and acknowledged by one of United States premier sports publications - Sports Illustrated For Kids, dated January 2006.

Hello Jack Rabbit Track & Field Family, We were recently notified and informed that the Copperas Cove Mayor and City Council Members would like to acknowledge our Coaches, Team Efforts, and 13 Junior Olympians for our 2005 season, which is a positive reflection of the impact upon the young people of the Central Texas Community. Coach Griffin has notified all 13 of the Olympians, and now we want all our athletes to particpate in the recognition council metting that all 79 athletes richly deserve. So, please on September 13, 2005, a Tuesday at 7:00 pm, come join us in this awesome occasion in public recognizing of the Five Hills Track & Field Club. If you all any questions concerning this event, please call Coach Griffin. "Study Constructively In Your Studies" Jacqueline M. Griffin Team Administrations

3 National Records, 5 Gold, 2 Bronze & 5 Copper Medals During the AAU Junior Olympics In a City where their professional Football Team continues to underachieve, a city where the world biggest indoor people place houses that team, and where the cuisine exceed all folk tales and rumors. The Five Hills Jack Rabbits broke three national records, and exceeded another and garnished 12 medals because of sterling performances. The temperatures were hot, humid, and an unforgiving; yet the Jack Rabbits of the Five Hills Track & Field Club were focus on taking on the nation’s best youth in the Big Easy at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. Steffin McCarter (8) set the tone early as he broke the Primary Boys Division 100m record on his first attempt in a blazing 13.73 seconds. “Our goal was to go after the records early, because of his youth and the many rounds Steffin had before him,” Coach Griffin revealed. Coach Griffin felt Steffin clearly understood the fact that he was competing against the clock for the national record. It took Steffin two attempts to get the 200m record as he just missed it in the preliminaries with a 28.78, but he came back in the semi-finals and flew to 28.42. “Don’t stop sprinting until you past the clock,” Willie McCarter directed his son. The Long Jump was his superior strength, but Mother Nature only allowed him to run, fly and soar, but his two nation record jumps of 13’ 8” and 14’ 1.5” were nullified by the authorized allowable wind indicator. He took Gold with the 14’ 1.5” jump nonetheless. Steffin won the Gold in the 100m Finals in 13.77, and Gold in the 200m Finals in a cruising 29.28. “Fatigue has set in not only for him, but for all of us,” Coach Griffin jokingly pointed out. Robert L. Griffin, III (15) in his first of two years in the Boys Intermediate (15 & 16) Division set the bar extremely high in the 400 meter Hurdles. His preliminary performance of 54.45 was his competition best, but his hard work and 400mH drills gave him great confidence and position in the finals. The strategy to push, but not lead those 16- year boys to the first seven (7) hurdles worked like a charm. Robert caught the four leaders at the 8th and never looked back to an epic charge for the finish line. He crossed the finish line with no one close for Gold, the clock read 52.79. “Wow,” was all Coach Griffin could mustard. The old mark of 53.04 set in 2000 was shattered. Robert was also involved in two events at the same time. He jumped 6’ and then 6’ 2”, and then he departed the High Jump competition for the 110m Hurdle race. He placed 3rd in a nail biting Bronze finish with a time of 14.54; the first place was 14.44 seconds. He was ushered back to the High Jump competition. He took three quality jumps at 6’4” nearly clearly two of them. He received the Copperas Medal for his High Jump 5th place finish. “We are going to either eliminate the High Jump or just come in at 6’6’ to eliminate the conflict in schedule. Robert loves the (sprint) 110m hurdles,” professed Coach Griffin. By the time Robert reached the open 400m Dash, he was showing signs of fatigue after five straight days of competition. He ran a strong 200m and then shut it down nearly walking over the finish line in 50.42, though fast. He finished 4th in his semi-final heat. It must be an amazing feeling when you have one nationally ranked athlete. Khadija Stuckey (11) is one of three Jack Rabbits holding the number one position. She’s an explosive sprinter who by her Father’s wishes took up hurdling. She trained on ever aspect of her new craft, and then took American by storm. Khadija ran faster over the 80 meter hurdles than any 11 year in the nation for the 2005 season. Khadija biggest competitor was focus, because each time she ran the hurdles no one challenged her past the starting blocks. Her finals race in the 80m Hurdles was like every race she ran this year; a blow out. She went over first hurdle so fast, the announcer called the race in her honor at the second hurdle. She scorched the field in 13.29 for Gold. Brittany Clarke (14) is a mild-mannered; yet explosive jumping sensation. She placed fifth both in the Long and Triple Jump. She accomplished an amazing feat to be in the top echelon in the both jumping events. She soared 17’ 3” in the highly contested earth leaving event. She followed that event with the Triple Jump where she fought amongst her contemporaries yielding 34’ ”8 in the double bouncing in the air and leap event. To her credit, she’s in the top ten for longest recorded Long Jumps by National Elite Youth Ranking System of 17’ 10”. Solomon Williams (14) was a very busy athlete in New Orleans. He was the second athlete to get his taste of this years AAU junior Olympics. He started his quest to be an elite athlete in the five-event Pentathlon, where he amassed 2, 717 points in Hurdling, High & Long Jumping, Shot Putting and the 1500m Run. He made a bid for the 100m Hurdles where he challenged the best in the finals. Solomon recorded a personal best of 14.39 for 3rd earning a Bronze Medal. “An awesome talent,: agreed both Coach Griffin and his father Solomon Williams, Jr. Donovan Johnson (13) was equally impressive as he battled an extremely competitive field of young hurdlers. The top four athletes charged for the line in a photo finish, which took the timing system a few moments to differentiate the order. Donovan placed 4th place in a powerful charge in the final 10 meters with a time of 14.95. He also finished 12th in the Long Jump with a distance of 17’2”. “A 13-year old jumping in excess of 17 feet is remarkable,” admitted Coach Griffin. Following the medal winners, seven (7) other Jack Rabbits put forth their best efforts. Just one place out of medal contention with her best performance of the year in the 3000m Run was Kelsey “Roxy” Sloan. Kelsey had a very eventful year, and at the ripe old age of 13 ran 11 minutes and 17 seconds upping her nation ranking from 18th to 9th. Michael Griffin (13) soared over the horizontal bar in the High Jump in his hometown to 4’ 10” placing him 10th in the Junior Olympics. Tres Johnson achieved a National Top Twenty performance in the 80 meters Hurdles by placing third in his preliminary heat and 17th overall. Donald Buckram (17) was amazing for just making the Junior Olympics through careful management by his parents. “His high demand for football participation posed many challenges and sport specific adaptations in a short time; but we sprinted with the best,” revealed his coach. Donald place fifth in his heat at 10.95 and moved his national ranking from 17th to 13th on the national stage. TraOnna Shedrick (13) came out firing on all cylinders as he was very aggressive in soaring in the Long Jump. She fouled on her first to jumps which exceeded the 17’ mark. Her final jump was a run through, which yielded a no mark. “We felt the first jump was legal, and official indicator of where she fouled was a hair line judgment,” noted Coach Griffin. Ryan Babbs (10) finished 23rd in the nation in the Bantam Boys Triathlon with 290 accumulative points while High Jumping, Shot Putting and sprinting the 400m Dash. A great accomplishment for such a hard worker in practice. Jasmine Clarke (16) finished with a ranking of 26th in the 800m Run in a time of 2 minutes 26 seconds. “Jasmine time is not a reflection of her ability, she’s a 2 minute, 11 seconds runner and future news articles shall reflect,” adamantly affirmed Coach Griffin. “The experience of doing something good for the youth of America in my hometown was emotional overwhelming. The parents were great, a reflection of what works in the Five Hills Club Family. I was extremely please that three of our athletes’ grandparents saw their grandchild break records and run their personal best,” relayed Coach Griffin. The Crescent City was good to the Jack Rabbits and their inspiring performances. There were 20 national records broken in the Big Easy, and three of them are stored nicely in the Copperas Cove. The Club Family was glad to return to Central Texas, but the eating experience of the Cajun, Creole and Southern down home dishes shall be stored in their hears, and tummies. "Train Hard, Eat Right, Hydrate!!!" Coach Griffin

Hello Five Hills Track & Field Club Family, we are on the heels of the Junior Olympics and Games of Texas preparation for out 2005 season. So before our athlete’s journey to New Orleans to take on the best young people in the United States, and engage in the Games of Texas, we must have a reflective and growth period. Our Banquet marks the end of a season, but the start of a promising 2006 year in Athletics (Track & Field). We have many appreciative gifts for our athletes, and after we eat more than we should (Diet Day Off) at BLORA (Belton Lake). We shall bestowed honor to our Athletes, Coaches and Parents. Remember, bread is the enemy, and fried foods clog arteries and degrade performances! Annual Awards Declaration I. The following awards are given to the seven outstanding athletes for the 2005 season. 1. Most Accomplished Athlete 2. Benchmark Athlete 3. Most Inspiring Athlete 4. Iron Man/Woman Award 5. The “One” To Watch Award 6. Improbable Athlete Award II. The guidelines for each award are as follows: 1. Most Accomplished Athlete – must have at least qualified for the National Junior Olympics or to the Games of Texas. This athlete should have good practice habits, be an example to his/her fellow Jack Rabbits, and a resume of accomplishments far superior to his/her peers. 2. Benchmark Athlete – must have showed continued improvement over the track season holding on to what the Coach(s) taught them, and not wavering to others way of executing their performance. This athlete's attitude, practice habits, performance or potential should epitomize the reputation of a Five Hills Track & Field Athlete. 3. Most Inspiring Athlete - must have at least made it to the AAU Region #9 Finals (Top 8th in State). Athletic accomplishments depict a sound resume of competitive efforts (i.e. top five finishes). Their performances should be savored by the coaches, parents and their fellow athletes without question. 4. Iron Man/Woman Award – any athletes who posses a wide range of ability, while performing on a high level of each event participating. This award is for a skilled athlete who can run, jump and throw. 5. The "One To Watch" Award – This athlete is a promising individual. He/she could be headed to the Junior Olympics, Games of America, Games of Texas, Region #9 Winner, Finalist; it doesn’t matter. This athlete could be described as, “Oh so close to…!” 6. The Improbable Award is given to the athlete who is under the radar (elite performances). He/she doesn’t blow your mind away with their initial performances, but continues to grow and make strides within the system set before them. This athlete slowly begins to put together performances that can be measured both in practice and in competition. This athlete qualifies for the Junior Olympics or the State Games of Texas by working hard, staying on course, and being determined and not taken off course by Nay - Sayers. III. Disqualifiers for receiving awards. 1. Past recipients of any of the above awards are not eligible for any award for a period of one (1) year. If those athletes are worthy of recognition, then at the banquet, the coaches can share with the Track & Field Family their honorable mention accolades during the ceremony by having the athlete stand up in great recognition. They will be honored among the 2005 recipients. 2. Of course disruptive behavior, unsportsmanlike conduct and disrespect towards coaches, parents, fellow athletes or equipment shall not yield those athletes recognition. IV. Balloting Process – was done solely by Coach Griffin this year. We ask that the committee keep silent to who was selected for which Outstanding Award. 1. Most Accomplished Athlete: Brittany Clarke 2. Benchmark Athlete: Kelsey Sloan 3. Most Aspiring Athlete: Khadija Stuckey 4. Iron Man/Woman Award: Solomon Williams 5. The One To Watch Award: Brandin Byrd & Jerome Lewis 6. Improbable Award: Michael Griffin V. 2004 Winners 1. Most Accomplished Athlete: Robert L. Griffin, III 2. Benchmark Athlete: Donald Buckram, Jr 3. Most Aspiring Athlete: Jasmine Williams 4. Iron Man/Woman Award: Coach Drew Ornelas/ Paige Lumpkin 5. The One To Watch Award: Steffin McCarter VI. 2003 Winners 1. Most Accomplished Athlete: Zachary Ornelas 2. Benchmark Athlete: Jasmine Clarke 3. Most Aspiring Athlete: Olivia Ornelas 4. Iron Man/Woman Award: Donovan Johnson 5. The One To Watch Award: Derwin Graham VII. 2002 Winners 1. Most Accomplished Athlete: Robert L. Griffin, III 2. Benchmark Athlete: Alexandria Norris 3. Most Inspiring Athlete: Danielle Peters (6 years old)

As Reported to the Copperas Cove Leader Press; Killeen Daily Herald; And Cove Herald News Agencies The Five Hills Track & Field Club qualified 13 athletes for the 2005 Amateur Athletic Union’s (AAU) National Junior Olympics. Beginning on July 30 through August 6, 2005; thirteen (13) Jack Rabbits shall take on the nations’ best youth in New Orleans, Louisiana. Twenty-two of the twenty-four Jack Rabbits who qualified for the South Texas Region 9 AAU Championship descended upon San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium this past week to put their commitment and hard work to the test. Thirteen of them emerged after many hard fought battles in the City known for holding their strong position through a good fight. The Five Hills Track & Field Club’s King Sprinter, Donald Buckram, Jr had his hands full qualifying in the 100m Dash amongst the much older and many post graduate 18-year olds. “We re-tooled him and sent him into battle with specific instructions,” intoned Coach Griffin. His great start proved too much for many of the exceptional talent in the Young Men’s Final. He flew in third with a 10.82 sprint for a Bronze Medal. Donald was one of two that made history for the local track club. He’s the first to qualify in the Young Men’s 100m Dash in his first year of eligibility. Steffin McCarter continued his winning ways adhering to his closely monitored and managed gifts; his legs. He won three Gold Medals upping the ante on his determination. He generate, accelerated, and remained poise blazing to a 13.94 in the 100m. A hour or two later, he ran the 200m curve like a pro winning the 200m by 20 meters in 29.22. Steffin is beginning to show wisdom at a ripe old age of eight (8). He is not wasting energy as he soared to a mind-boggling height and distances in the Long Jump. He outdistanced his nearing competitor by nearly two feet with a jump of 14 feet and 4 inches. Robert L. Griffin, III (15) by far was the busiest Jack Rabbit of the Final day of competition. He started his day off winning the 110m Hurdles in 14.79 with many observers thinking it was a walk in the park. Well that so called walk in the park was also another milestone. Robert following many gifted Jack Rabbits Hurdlers became the first to qualify in his first year as an Intermediate Boy (15-16 year olds). Moving on to the one quarter mile, rarely do you see a 400m Sprinter and 400m Hurdlers excel in the same competition, while Robert is taking on this rarity. He moved on to the highly contested 400m where the only two athletes born in 1990 were Jack Rabbits. Those other 16- year boys were not only competitive, but they were hungry. The race was fast with a furious pace, and came down to the last 50 meters. Robert seeing an opening went into a speed crazed out sprinting fellow Jack Rabbits Troy Vital and two others for fourth (50.10) place rattling the second and third place finishers. “Robert knows it’s only going to get harder in a talented age group of 16- year olds,” professed Coach Griffin, “He’s willing to work smarter, consume those green leaves, and lean meats,” added his father. He won his timed final heat in the 400m Hurdles, which was good for second overall in 56.89. Simply amazing, since he had not shook off the sting from both the 110m hurdles and the 400m Dash earlier. Robert also won a Gold Medal in the High Jump with a soaring leap over the horizontal bar of 6 feet. Brittany Clarke (14) won a Gold Medal in the Long Jump, as she left the earth and traveled for 17 feet and 10 inches. She then came out firing her competitive juices in the Triple Jump winning a Silver Medal with gold illuminating around it. She used poetry in her movement as she leaped 35 feet 4 inches in the extend broad jump. “Coach Watson shall be pleased of her cycling her leg into such a long distance for a young person,” said Coach Griffin. Brittany Clarke’s jumping ability puts her in the upper class of jumpers while she’s ranked in the top five in the nation. Khadija Stuckey (11) blew the field away in the Sub Midget Girls 80 meters Hurdles. She showed poise, skills and speed, as she hurdled away to being the best in Texas. “Khadija winning time of 13.48 is in the top ten in the nation, and she shall lower her times in the coming week before New Orleans,” announced Coach Griffin with affirmation from her parents. Solomon Williams (14) is a wild card, he’s talented, funny and at times nerve-wrecking smart. He won a Bronze Medal in the Youth Boys (14 year olds) Pentathlon with a score of 2242 points. He sprinted 14.94 for Bronze Medal in the 100m Hurdles where his competitors really have not seen his best. He leaped 37 feet and 7 inches for another Bronze Medal in the Triple Jump where Coach Watson has made some tremendous improvements to the Jack Rabbits Jumping program. “I feel Solomon’s confidence is building, and another five to six feet can be added,” stated Coach Griffin. Tre Johnson (11) put together some amazing hurdling races in the last month proving to many that his two year wait sprint over the Hurdles was over. His determination and incentives yielded a Silver Medal in the Sub Midget Boys 80m Hurdles in a competitive time of 16.16. Michael Griffin (13) represents the improbable, then again he represents what it takes to be successful in life; focus, hard work, and commitment. Michael jumped his way into many hearts. He won a Bronze Medal layered in Gold. He tied the highest height for the Sub-Youth Boys of 5 feet even, with a virtual of clean jumps and misses during competition. Michael was regulated to third, but don’t tell him that. “He achieved the best height in Texas and that’s a confident booster,” stated Coach Griffin. Kelsey “Roxy” Sloan (13) probably had the most challenging environment to overcome distracters, and receiving daily instructions by telephone and emails. She qualified in Virginia because of her family’s celebration of her dear 90-year old grandmother. “We counted success on both fronts: Congratulations for long life and hello New Orleans,” stated her coach. Kelsey placed fourth in the 3000m in 12:24.05 amongst strangers on the east coast. Roxy is focused, determined, and committed to goals set before her. Donovan Johnson (13) multi-talented, quiet; yet competitive to the bone won two Bronze Medals. He captivated people in the stands during a highly contested Long Jump competition. He was the first to exceed 18 feet putting pressure on the highly regarded jumpers. It took the final two jumps of the competition to unseed him in the top spot. Donovan finished at 18 feet and 1 inch, a personal best. In the 100m Hurdles, he had to recovered from a bad start, and blazed to the finish line keeping his dream alive to compete at the national level in the sprint hurdles. He placed third in 15.49, but more importantly, he nearly won. Jasmine Clarke (16) is the Queen of the Mid Distance Racing Jack Rabbits, she’s going to Coach Griffin’s hometown of New Orleans for the 800m. She won a Bronze Medal in an aspiring time of 2:21.03. “We are encouraged with Jasmine’s training because we got her on the final straight at the two minute mark; very encouraging,” an elated announcement by Coach Griffin. Ryan Babbs, a 2-time Junior Olympian in the Triathlon won his way to New Orleans by High Jumping over a bar, throwing a big iron ball and sprinting the infamous one lap. Ryan loves a challenge and the Triathlon wets his appetite to be the competitive at all times. Tra Onna Shedrick (13) won her way to the Crescent City in the Long Jump with a leap 16 feet 4 inches. Tra Onna is under the radar amongst her well known Jumpers, so the Jack Rabbits Family is very happy with Tra Onna’s ability to make a big impact in New Orleans. What’s next for the Jack Rabbits, according to Coach Griffin its back to basic, drills, mechanics, weight training, hills, and Jack Rabbits secrets. The Five Hills Track & Field Club Family would like to thank the media, the Central Texas Community, and the City of Killeen Sponsors who truly believed in what we are doing to groom the future leaders of this great nation. For more information about the Five Hills Track Club, please visit their website at http//:eteamz.active.com/gofivehills.