St. John's HealthTracks Training Center sponsored two junior weightlifters to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union National Junior Olympic Championship Aug. 7-10 in Knoxville, Tenn. HealthTracks athletes Riley Sharp, Fair Grove, and Eric Gholz, Springfield, both took home awards from this national event. Sharp won the 17-19 division and Gholz placed fourth in the 16-year-old division.

The AAU National Junior Olympic Championship is an event that tests the nation's best junior competitors. Since its inception more than 33 years ago, it has hosted more than 15,000 participants involved in 24 sports. The event has been held in 15 states and 24 cities.

HealthTracks Athletic Trainer Brandon Ezzell said year 'round training is required to be ready to participate in this event.

"You have to train year 'round so your muscles don't get weak," Ezzell said. "This is a national event and these boys were competing against some of the best competitors in the nation."