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NILES — A local AAU track team is asking the community for help to get to the 2024 Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina.

A GoFundMe “Fuel the Journey for Team Love Track to the Olympics” has been set up to help members of Team Love Track compete in the 2024 AAU Junior Olympic Games, which will take place July 29 to August 3 at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, North Carolina. As of Thursday afternoon, $375 has been raised toward a $5,000 goal. 15 members of the Team Love Track club team qualified for the 2024 AAU Junior Olympic Games, which will feature 19,000 athletes and an estimated 40,000 spectators competing in a variety of sports, including track and field, swimming, martial arts, and more.

The names of qualifiers and the events qualified for are as follows:

17-18 boys 110-meter hurdles – Aydan Mccary

8-and-under boys 400-meter relay – Caleb Patterson, Carter Brann, Olen Simmons, Andrew Love

9 boys long jump – Chad Patterson, Danyel Nelson Jr. 

14 boys 800-meter run – John Brickley

14 boys 1500-meter run – John Brickley

14 girls long jump – Addison Kessler

13 girls 100-meter dash – Alani Scott

14 girls 200-meter hurdles – Gianna Ball 

12 girls 400-meter dash – Haylei Patterson

12 girls 80-meter hurdles – Patterson

14 girls high jump – Loryana Harris 

14 girls 100-meter hurdles – Madison Kessler

14 girls 100-meter dash – Trenyse Mcginnis

Founded three years ago by former Niles track standout Andre Love, the program has grown to 33 athletes ranging from 5 to 18 years of age from throughout Southwest Michigan who compete in indoor and outdoor meets across the state. 

Love, who is also a pastor, said he created the program to prepare athletes to compete at the AAU Junior Olympic Games and is proud of his team’s efforts. Last year, 24 members of the team qualified for the Junior Olympic Games.

“It gives them exposure,” Love said. “To run against some of the fastest kids in the world and the impact that has had on those that still remain is huge.”

Harris competed in the Junior Olympics last year and is looking forward to returning.

“It’s a big opportunity for me because all these people are gonna see me,” she said. “Millions of people have seen me do what I love doing and now it’s gonna happen again.”

The opportunities TLT provides young athletes has been appreciated by athletes and parents alike have experienced its impact. 

“Before joining the team, I had track skill but I had really no idea on how much this would impact my life,” said Loryana Harris. “I’ve gotten closer to God meeting coach Love and I’m doing things that I never thought I’d do, like high jump. He’s changed my life in so many ways, from skill to just having a personal relationship with him.”

“It’s giving me so much hope for my daughter’s future,” added parent Lori Lesniak. “I saw the difference that it made in her self-esteem, confidence, work ethic and discipline. It definitely has made a huge difference in my life. I get excited about it too because my daughter is excited and she’s part of it and to see the other kids that get to participate and get a grasp of what’s really going on is amazing.”

For more information about Team Love Track and how to get involved, contact Love at icarechhurchniles@gmail.com.