Elkhart Times

UCS student goes for gold at Junior Olympics

Collins Elementary 3rd grader, Braylon Graham, proved this summer that practice and patience can pay off.

In 2021, the then 7-year-old Graham qualified for the Junior Olympics in the long jump event in the 8 and under age division.

“We went all the way to Texas, but he fouled every jump,” said Graham’s mom, Chelsea Bourne. “It devastated him.”

“This year he was determined to be his best and compete again.”

With his aunt Derriana Kelley as his trainer, a former track and field athlete at Heritage Junior High and Stevenson High School, Graham qualified in both districts and regionals this year to the compete at the 2022 AAU Junior Olympic Games in the 400 meter, long jump and turbo javelin events.

“Watching him compete against the best kids in the nation was such a proud moment,” Bourne said.

Each event had over 100 competitors in it. Graham placed 9th in long jump and 34th in turbo javelin.

“The thing that made me the most proud was that he didn’t let last year discourage him,” Bourne said.

“Sometimes I was scared, but it was fun,” Graham said. “My favorite thing about the Olympics is that I could make new friends.”

Already looking ahead to next year’s Junior Olympics, Graham hopes to gain a medal next year by placing in the top eight.

So, after the Junior Olympics, what is the next goal for Graham?

“When I grow up I want to play football – either running back or quarter back.”

Original source can be found here.