Central Arkansas Track Club's Daniel Ballinger got the Natural State started at the AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa with a thirteenth place finish in the 17-18 men's decathlon. Ballinger scored 5772 over the course of the two-day competition.
Peoria, Illinois' Trae Brickner won the decathalon with a total of 6807.
Ballinger, who will start his junior year at Beebe High School later this month, got things started on Saturday with a fantastic opener in the 100 meters where he ran a time of 11.53.
He would keep the momentum and found himself in eighth place after the high jump, where he jumped 1.80 meters.
Ballinger struggled some during the javelin during the day. His throw of 31.44 only gave him 320 points. He bounced back in the 1500 where he finished with a time of 4:44.37.
Two notable Arkansans will not be participating in the Junior Olympics.
Magnolia junior Aubrey Stuart qualified in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 meter hurdles, and the 400 meters with her performance at the AAU Region 16 Meet. However a stress fracture ended her summer early.
Stuart just recently was about to stop walking with boot. Now, she will set her sights on building off of what proved to be a spectacular sophomore season.
Pulaski Academy's Miller Crum also qualified for the AAU National Junior Olympics with her performance at the AAU Region 16 Meet where he won both the 800 meters (1:58.86) and the 1500 meters (4:19.98). However, Crum has decided to turn his attention to the upcoming cross country season. It's the first time since 2022 that Crum is not competing in the junior Olympics.
