A 12-year-old boy from Ocala long jumped his way to bronze at this year’s Junior Olympic Games.
Mateo Olvera was one of several athletes who represented Ocala on the national stage at the 2023 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games, which took place in Des Moines, Iowa between July 29 and August 5, 2023.
Olvera, who is coached by his older brother Zavier Rodriguez, competed in the 400-meter race and the long jump at this year’s games.
Olvera placed third in the long jump, with his performance garnering him All-American honors. His third-place jump was 17 feet, 2 inches (5.24 meters), which was his personal best performance in the event.
Olvera finished about 7 inches in front of the fourth-place finisher, Shiloh Johnson of Fort Worth, Texas, and was only 8.3 inches behind first-place finisher Ji’Aire Stephens of Titusville, Florida.
“This is his first year competing in track and field and for him to finish so highly on a national stage just shows what amazing work ethic and determination he has,” said Rodriguez of his brother’s accomplishments.
In the 400-meter race, Olvera finished in 29th place with a time of 1:01.17, which was just behind his personal best of 1:00.
In both events, Olvera beat out dozens of other competitors from across the nation. He joins several other young athletes from Ocala who have brought national spotlight and attention to the city and county through their commitment to personal excellence.
That list of athletes includes 10-year-old Daniella Wray, who competed in multiple events at this year’s AAU Junior Olympics and finished in the top 24 in both the 800-meter and 1,500-meter races, setting a personal record in the latter.
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