Bogalusa’s Clyedterrious Thompson has qualified for the Junior Olympic Finals in a pair of events.
Athletes had to come in the top five of their events at the USATF Region 6 Junior Olympic Championships that took place July 11-14 in Meridian, Miss.
Thompson made it in the 17-18s’ long jump and the 100-meter dash.
“I was excited about making it,” Thompson said. “Last year was a little struggle. I just want to thank God, my mother and my coach. They helped me out during the season. It was a great year. I PRed (PR is personal record) in two events this season, the 200 (22.38) and the 100 (10.94). I pushed harder than I ever did before to get this far. I had a teammate who came along with me named Dre’Toris Mark. He told me to eat the healthy food and helped me stretch properly.”
Thompson was second in the long jump with a distance of 21 feet, 8.25 inches. Garrian Betts won at 21-11.75.
Thompson was fourth in the 100 with a time of 11.02 seconds. Marco Baker II won at 10.89.
Bogalusa coach Eddie Walker praised Thompson.
“He’s just a competitor and an athlete,” Walker said. “He loves track and field. I just look forward to him becoming one of the Bogalusa prodigies and someone other kids can feed off of his accomplishments. And have that desire to become as adventurous as he is in the area of track and field and athletics as an overall goal.”
The Junior Olympic Finals take place this upcoming week in Sacramento, Calif.
Thompson also competed in the 200 and 400.
Thompson took sixth in both events.
He ran the 200 with a time of 22.66 and was close to qualifying, as Baker was fifth at 22.59. JaRule Melvin won in 22.10.
He was even closer in the 400. Thompson ran a 50.46. Ondray Miles was fifth at 50.44. Damon Morton Jr. won in 49.24.
Mark is one of Thompson’s teammates at Bogalusa.
Mark ran the 110 hurdles and the 400 hurdles.
Mark was 12th in the 400s, completing the race in 1 minute, 3 seconds. Deng Wek won in 54.37.
Mark was 13th in the 110s after running in 17.23. Wek won in 14.55.
Donations are being accepted to help with alleviate costs associated with Thompson going to the finals meet in Sacramento.
To donate, call Walker at 985-516-6192.