Stuart Beach, Bathtub Reef Beach, St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park, Blowing Rocks Preserve and Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Beach top the list

Let’s go to the beach — in Stuart, Hobe Sound and Jupiter Island.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Savannah State University welcomed over 7000 athletes and their families for one of the most prestigious competitions in Track and Field.

The USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Championships started Monday at Ted Wright Stadium and will continue through the weekend.

According to the Events General Counsel Sarah Austin, the event brings about a $15,000,000 economic boom to the Savannah area.

Although competing in the south during a heat wave may not have been ideal for the athletes

“Its really hot, most of our meets are like 60 degrees, its like… 90 here, on a good day,” said Jordan Wiggin, athlete.

It’s the competition and opportunity to show off their abilities on a national stage.

“I think we all want to run in college, I think I speak for the group here when I say we want to get out there for college,” said Wesley Isenburger, athlete.

Jordan Williams, Jordan Wiggins and Wesley Isenburger traveled to Savannah from Washington State all chasing the chance at that All American Title.

But the heat has been brutal.

And the competition is taking precautions like splitting the competition schedule into mornings and evening.

This gives athletes and crowds a break from the midday heat during some of the highest temperatures.

How to watch the Junior Olympics

You can watch the National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships live via their website usatf.tv/home!

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Dr. Lydia Woods, a 72-year-old Masters track and field athlete from Sun City, delivered a medal-winning performance at the 2025 USATF Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships July 17–20 in Huntsville, AL. Competing in the Women’s 70 division, Woods participated in a range of events over the four-day national competition.

On the first day of competition (Thursday, July 17), athletes contended with sweltering heat and high humidity, conditions that proved challenging for many competitors. However, Dr. Woods — accustomed to Arizona’s summer temperatures — went on to secure a silver medal in the pentathlon, a sixth place ribbon in the hammer throw and another silver medal as part of the 4×800 meter relay team, contributing points to her team’s overall score.

The second and third days (Friday and Saturday) brought a different challenge: thunderstorms and lightning strikes, which repeatedly delayed events throughout both days. Despite the weather interruptions and extended competition hours, Woods remained focused and resilient. On Friday, she earned a gold medal in the 4×100 meter relay, a bronze medal in the steeplechase and another bronze in the long jump. She also captured a sixth place ribbon in the 400-meter run and a fifth place ribbon in the shot put.

Woods also added a fourth place ribbon in the triple jump and a sixth place ribbon in the weight throw. Due to overlapping event times and weather-related delays, she had to scratch the high jump and the 800-meter run.

The championship concluded Sunday, July 20, and Woods scratched the 1500-meter run but earned a silver medal in the pole vault and another silver in the 4×400 meter relay, the final event of the meet.

Woods competed as a member of the T&T International Racing Club, a team that went on to win the second place national trophy in women’s track and field at the 2025 championships. The women’s team scored a total of 320 points, with Woods contributing 48 points toward that national runner-up finish.

Off the track, Woods is the founder and president of Ambassadors for Senior Olympics, a nonprofit organization she established in 2007. Through this platform, she gives motivational presentations across the country, encouraging senior adults to embrace active aging and participate in lifelong sports. Her message promotes the physical, mental and emotional benefits of staying active at every stage of life.

A retired professor of kinesiology, nonprofit leader and world gold medalist, Woods has spent more than two decades competing in Masters Track and Field and has earned a 799 medals and ribbons in her athletic career.

“I don’t compete for the recognition,” Woods said. “I compete to show that aging is not a decline — it’s a stage for continuing purpose, strength, and joy.”

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It was a showdown of speed at John Adam’s High School Fri. evening, where about 50 of South Bend’s Police Athletic League (PAL) members competed in the second annual track and field showcase.

Five of the young runners at the showcase will be heading to Texas on Sun., as they qualified over the summer for the 2025 AAU Junior Olympics.

“Most of the kids… this is either their first or their second year running track period. Last year we had one or two qualify, [they] weren’t able to go. This year we were blessed enough to be able to sponsor all five kids to be able to send them down there and give them the opportunity to compete,” said Georgia wells, the PAL track and field head coach and a detective for the South Bend Police Department.

Wells said it’s the support from the community that helps her athletes shine.

“Being on this national stage is a huge accomplishment, you know, it’s going to open doors for them down the line when it comes to college or high school and other athletics. However far they want to take it and just know that they have that support here at home is gonna make the world of difference,” expressed Wells.

Each of the five Junior Olympic qualifiers had their own advice to share for any kid thinking about joining one of the activities PAL has to offer.

Zyaire Washington, a second grader at Bittersweet Elementary School, passionately exclaimed, “Come on! You got this!”Meanwhile, Peyton Bradford, a second grader at Christ the King Catholic School, offered the encouragement to “Try their best,” and Joel Wells, a third grader at Battell Elementary School, gave the awesome advice to “Push more.”

Finishing out the wise words from these rising stars, Tray’Von Irons, a third grader at Coquillard Elementary School, said to “Listen and do your best.” The fifth and final Junior Olympic qualifier, Maurice Griffin, added, “Keep trying and never give up, because they can do it one day.”

To follow along with the five future Olympians during their trip to Texas, click here.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki, received the women’s national water polo team at the Maximos Mansion on Friday.

The team recently won the gold medal at the World Championships in Singapore.

Sources from the Maximos Mansion report that Mitsotakis and his wife congratulated the national team and coaching staff on their performance.

“You were amazing,” said Mitsotakis. “I remember not only the performances and the last-minute goal but also everything we saw in the pool. The image that will stay with me is how you sang the national anthem. That was the most beautiful image for me. That’s what stayed with me,” he continued.

The Greek premier discussed with the athletes and their coaches the prospects of Greek water polo and examined ways to support the sport and the national teams. They stressed the need to secure a swimming pool, gym, and guesthouse within the same sports centre, allowing the national water polo teams to train under optimal conditions for major events. In this context, the possible use of the upgraded OAKA, where athlete accommodation facilities are being built, was considered.

Views were also exhanged on raising the profile of women’s water polo and women’s sports more broadly. It was proposed to ensure equal television coverage of the women’s championship with that of the men’s by broadcasting at least one match per week on ERT channels.
The world champions presented Mitsotakis with a blue cap bearing the symbolic number 15-representing the 15 members of the national team-and a ball signed by all of them.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki thanked the “golden girls” and wished them success in their upcoming matches.

Source: ANA – MPA