Athletics: Maribyrnong Sports Academy young guns headed for US

Maribyrnong Sports Academy will send six of the most promising athletes from its ‘junior emerging talent’ program to the United States to take part in the 37th annual Simplot Games.

More than 2000 high school athletes from around the globe will converge on Idaho State University tomorrow (February 19) for a three-day track and field competition that was first held in 1979.

The competitors will have the chance to be mentored by US stars Stacy Dragila, a two-time world champion pole vaulter and gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics; Willie Banks, a triple jump silver medallist at Helsinki in 1983; and Mike Powell, a two-time world champion long- jumper and current world recordholder.

The Maribyrnong team will present a host of underage state and national champions.