Former Cougar to run in Jr. Olympics

Published 2:03 pm Monday, July 23, 2012

Former Escambia Academy football and track stand out Jaylen Henry will soon add Olympic experience to his long list of athletic achievements as he prepares to take part in the 2012 USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, beginning Tuesday at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD.

Henry, who left a huge hole in the Cougar’s backfield when he graduated last spring, has committed to play football this fall for the Kilgore Rangers, at a junior college in Kilgore, Texas.

Henry qualified for the games while running with the Prichard Track and Field Team near Mobile and said he is anxious to put his talents to the test on a bigger stage.

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“I just run with (Prichard’s team) during the summer,” Henry said. “But I’m excited about the Junior Olympics. Excited and nervous.”
While nerves may be an obstacle there seems to be little reason for Henry to doubt his talents, as he broke numerous records both on the football field and the track during his career at EA.

Despite his natural ability on the track, Henry said he began running for the simple purpose of staying in shape for high school football during the off season. Now, what began as a work out regimin has now earned him the chance to bring home Olympic gold.

Henry will compete in the games’ 100 and 200-meter dash events during the championships.

The 46th USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships takes place in six two-year age divisions, with athletes generally falling between the ages of seven and 18.