Randi Overkamp and Arianna Butler, seniors, experienced a unique summer from many of their classmates by competing in the USATF Junior Olympics. Butler and Overkamp compete for the Jets Track and Field Club which is based out of Festus, Missouri. The two athletes would drive the 290 miles round trip to practices twice a week. Their stunning dedication to their sport qualified them for the 51st USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships. The event took place in Lawrence, Kansas from July 24-30.

Butler and Overkamp both compete in the heptathlon, which is a track and field event composed of seven different events including 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meter dash, long jump, javelin throw, and an 800 meter dash. The heptathlon follows a unique and strict point scoring system for each event and the scores are added together for a final score.

Overkamp and Butler competed at their first heptathlon earlier this summer because Coach Adcock of Battle High School suggested they compete. Their first competition was June 1-3 at the Great Southwest Classic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The two had great success at their first meet in New Mexico, with Butler finishing 6th and Overkamp finishing 8th.

Overkamp and Butler later competed in the USATF Junior Olympic Championships for Region 9 on July 7 in St. Charles, Missouri. At this event, the top 5 finishers from each event would qualify for the Junior Olympics. Overkamp scored 3,825 points, placing her just above Butler with 3,814 points. The heptathletes finished first and second respectively.

Both girls have voiced their interest in continuing competing in the heptathlon after completing their senior year of track at Battle High School.