A new track and field team that was started by a former University of Florida track star made Ocala proud with a slew of accomplishments at this year’s Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games.
Rainey Elite Speed, which was founded this year by Chris Rainey, celebrated team and individual success through multiple events, including two Class C championships. In total, the group had 11 of its athletes qualify to participate in the 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games, which were held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa from July 29 to August 5.
Eight of the athletes that qualified were able to attend the games, with many setting personal records during the event.
That includes 8-year-old Makari Rainey, who placed 6th out of 66 competitors in the shot put. Makari set a personal record in the event at 7.41 meters. According to the group, Makari only recently started shot put and threw for the third time at this year’s Junior Olympics. The young athlete who plays football also competed in the long jump, placing 23rd out of 93 participants, jumping a distance of around 3.37 meters.
Aaron Chappell, who is 9-years-old and competed in the 10-year-old and under division, placed 10th out of 92 in the long jump with a distance of 4.2 meters. Chappell also placed 27th out of 82 in the 200-meter race with a time of 28.59 seconds, and 44th out of 83 runners in the 100-meter race with a time of 14.24 seconds. According to his coach, Chappell was a top performer in all three events throughout the track season and also plays football.
Roman Brown, 11, placed 39th out of 70 in the shot put for athletes 12 and under. Brown plays travel baseball and the Junior Olympics was only his fourth time competing this season. Like the other two athletes, Brown is also a football player and set a personal record at the meet with a throw of 9.14 meters.
Kainon Brown, 10, competed in the 11-year-old division and placed 45th out of 81 participants in the long jump with a distance of 3.9 meters. Kainon sustained a knee injury during the season that sidelined him for two months before returning in time for qualifiers. He was just shy of his personal best in the event, which is 4.14 meters. A well-rounded athlete, Brown plays football and baseball as well.
Legend King, 7, competed in the 8 and under division, finishing 37th out of 60 in the 1,500-meter race with a personal best time of 6:27.37 minutes. King also set a personal record in the 800-meter race with a time of 3:15.91, placing 57th out of 93. It was only King’s third time competing in both races, having made a switch in events this year. Like the other multi-faceted athletes, King also competes in football.
Alexander Leeks, 9, placed 68th out of 86 competitors in the 800-meter race, with a time of 2:56.12 minutes. Leeks, who competed in the 10 and under division, also competed in the javelin and placed 39th out of 70, setting a personal record with a 17.60-meter throw. Leeks also plays football.
Makynli Rainey, 7, achieved a personal record in the shot put with a throw of 3.72 meters, which garnered her 37th place out of 60 participants in the 8 and under girls division. Makynli also competed in the long jump, finishing 50th out of 99 competitors with a distance of 2.61 meters. In addition to competing in track, the young athlete is also a competitive cheerleader for Ocala Athletix.
Skyler Kmieciak, 9, competed in the 9 and under girls division in both the shot put and javelin events. Although she was short of personal records in both, she placed 40th in shot put with a throw of 2.9 meters and 46th in javelin with a throw of 6.03 meters.
According to Rainey, the group also had three other athletes qualify for the games who were unable to attend: A’Miracle Raney (turbo javelin), Jayceon Tanner (shot put), and Jalen Bellamy (100-meter race).
“We are an inclusive team and our goal is to make an impact on as many children’s lives as possible,” says Rainey about the group.
The athletes at Rainey Elite Speed joined several other competitors from Ocala who made the trip to this year’s games.
Joseph A. Sorrentino, III took first place in the boys javelin throw (8-under) at the 2023 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games.
Additional athletes that competed include Mateo Olvera, 12, who claimed third place in the long jump for his age group, as well as Daniella Wray, a 10-year-old girl who competed in multiple races and set a personal best in one of them.Â
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