Oak Park boy heading to National Junior Olympics

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers NIMBLE-FOOTED- Sean O'Bryan, 11, of Oak Park will be competing in the 80-meter hurdle sport in his age group at the National Junior Olympics scheduled for July 25 through 29 at Walnut, Calif. The event calls for him to jump eight, 30-inch hurdles. Sean will compete with 6,000 other top young athletes, ages 8 to 18, from across the country. Some will go on to compete in the Olympic Games. Sean O'Bryan of Oak Park may have the Olympics in his future.

In his first season running track Sean, 11, already has made it to the National Junior Olympics, a major stepping stone toward the big show. The USA Track and Field-sponsored event will be held July 24-29 at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.

Sean will compete in the 80 meter hurdles event in his age division, jumping eight, 30-inch hurdles.

"It's a big accomplishment, going to nationals. The competition is substantial," said Aaron Danchik, Sean's trainer. "It's comparable to adults getting to the Olympics."

After a series of qualifying meets involving nearly 100,000 athletes, the championships feature the best of the best, according to Jill Geer, USATF director of communications. Sean will join 6,000 other top youth athletes between the ages of 8 and 18 from around the country.

"For some, it is a springboard to even greater success- many of America's Olympians began as youth athletes, including stars such as Maurice Greene, Allyson Felix, Bryan Clay, John Godina, Deena Kastor and Allen Johnson," Geer said. "Whether they go on to be Olympic medalists or whether their track careers end after high school, the Junior Olympics is a unique opportunity."

Sean qualified after placing in several preliminary races. Last month he came in second in the event at the Regional Junior Olympic Track and Field competition held at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village. Sean surprised himself, his coaches and his family with his performance at that event. He credited relatives, including his father, Mike, and grandparents Vic O'Bryan of Westlake Village and Kris O'Bryan of Thousand Oaks, with cheering him on and getting his adrenaline pumping.

"When my family is there I really try to do well," Sean said.

Sean joined the United Track Club in March and says that he always enjoyed running. He didn't start running hurdles until halfway through the season. At his first practice he came in ninth place during practice runs.

"He came home very upset because he's used to being first in races at school," said Sean's mother, Denice O'Bryan.

Aaron Danchik, a volunteer coach with United Track, said he saw immediate potential in Sean, not because of his race performance but because of his "dedication and effort."

"Some kids become defensive when you push them. Sean is never that type. You push him and he does it," Danchik said. "Sean is extremely competitive. He wants to run. He wants to get better."

Sean pushes through discomfort to do whatever it takes to succeed, Danchik added. To prepare for the Junior Olympics, Sean has practiced at least two hours a day, Monday through Friday.

"A lot of athletes, if they're hurting or had a hard practice they'll take the next day off. Sean fights through it and keeps going," Danchik said. "I've run with professional runners who are not that focused or intent. To see it in an 11-year-old athlete is phenomenal."

Danchik knows firsthand what it takes for an athlete to reach the Olympic level. A runner himself, he reached Olympic qualifying times in 1984 but injured his knee during the trials and was unable to compete.

He has been a volunteer coach with United Track for seven years.

Sean, who attended Brookside Elementary School, will begin sixth grade next month at Medea Creek Middle School. He also plays baseball and club soccer, but this is the first individual sport he has participated in, according to his mother. He also plays piano. He'd like to play lacrosse and water polo but his mother joked that he'd have to drop out of school in order to find the time.

"This is the happiest I've seen him. He's really driven, and I haven't seen him like that before," she said. "I'm really proud of him."

Sean's brothers Neil, who's almost 10, and Ross, 8, are also athletes.

"Sean's kind of their idol. They look up to him," Denice O'Bryan said.

As for the National Junior Olympics, Sean admitted he's a little nervous.

"I sort of don't really know anyone going," Sean said. "I'm just going to do my best."

Please read about another Junior Olympian in Acorn Sports on page 39A.