Kunkler ready for Junior Olympics

Iola’s Elysia Kunkler has reached the USA TF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, held in Sacramento, Calif., July 22 – 28. 

This marks Kunkler’s third trip to the Junior Olympics, but her first time competing as a heptathlete. The heptathlon consists of the high hurdles, long jump, high jump, 200-meter run, 800-meter run, shot put, and javelin.  

“I feel kind of nervous,” Kunkler said. “Last time I went, I got 16th in the hurdles. My family expected me to be an All-American. Even though I’m not running the hurdles as an individual event, they still expect me to be an all-American, because my coaches said I could make it.”