Chester Runner Places 3rd In Junior Olympic Track

CHESTER, NJ — A ten-year-old Chester athlete placed third at the USATF Hershey National Jr. Olympics in the 800 and 1500 meter races.

Will Van Etten came in third with a time of 2:26.61 in the 800 meter on July 28 in Sacramento, California, a feat made even more impressive by the 100 degree heat. The next day, Will placed third in the 1500 meter with a time of 4:57.57.

In the 1500 meter, Van Etten is just the second 9-10 year-old from New Jersey to run a sub-5 minute race. The last boy to do it was Craig Forys in 1999.

Van Etten earned All-American status in both events for finishing in the top eight.

These third-place finished cap off a successful season for Van Etten. Other highlights include:

• USATF Region 2 Jr. Olympics (NJ, PA, MD, DE, and upstate NY) Slippery Rock, PA
  • Region 2 Champion 1500M, 800M, 4x400M
• AAU Region 1 Jr. Olympics Queens, NY (NJ, NY, MA, CT, NH, RI, VT, ME)
  • Region 1 Champion 400M, 800M, 4x400M
• USATF NJ Jr. Olympics Plainfield
  • NJState Champion 1500M & 800M
• AAU NJ Jr. Olympics Edison, NJ
  • State Champion 400M, 800M, 4x400M