Help the Wingard Kids Compete in AAU Jr Olympics in Houston

The Wingard Kids Are Houston Bound! ‍

The regional meet is complete and tickets are officially punched—all three Wingard kids are headed to the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Houston at the end of the month!

This is such a milestone moment for our family. After three summers with Cleveland Express Track Club, this is the first time all three of our kids have qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic Games in the same season—no small feat with only the top five in each event making the cut! It’s also our first year being fully plugged into the team: Walt Jr. is coaching, and I’ve been working behind the scenes leading our parent committee. We’re all in and so proud.

Here’s a look at what each of our athletes accomplished at the Regional Meet:

Juliana (13) had a standout weekend on the track:

• 1st place in the 4x800m relay

• 2nd place in the 800m with a new personal best!

• 2nd place in the 4x400m relay

• 3rd place in the 1500m

Elena (12) showed up strong in the throws and on the track:

• 3rd place in both shot put and turbojav, setting new PRs in both

• ‍Ran a personal best in the 100m dash, placing 23rd overall

‍Walter Jr. (10) qualified for his very first Junior Olympics:

• 1st place in the 4x800m relay

• Placed 6th in the 1500m and 13th in turbojav

This journey would not be possible without our village.

The AAU Junior Olympic Games take place in Houston from July 26 to August 2, and we’d love your support as we make the trip with our three young athletes. Travel, lodging, meals, and team fees for three kids can add up fast, and we will be there the whole week as their events are on different days. Juliana will run the 1500m, 800m, and 4x400m, Elena will throw shot put and turbojav, and Walter will run the 4x800m relay.

Every donation, big or small, will help bring them closer to this amazing opportunity. Every dollar makes a difference — whether it is $5, $25, $100 or more! If you are not able to donate at this time, sharing this campaign with your friends and family would mean the world to us.

Thank you for believing in our family, our team, and our amazing young athletes. Let’s get Juliana, Elena, and Walter Jr. to Houston and cheer them on every step of the way!

With gratitude,

The Wingards (Walt Jr., Lakisha, Juliana, Elena, and Walter III)