Ella Meyerkorth, far left, placed third in the heptathlon of the AAU Junior Olympic Games Track and Field. The Rock Port athlete finished the two day competition with 4,012 points.

The AAU Junior Olympic Games Track and Field are being held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

On Saturday, July 29, 2023, Ella Meyerkorth took part in the 15- to 16-year-old heptathlon.

The heptathlon consists of seven events: the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, 200 meter dash, javelin and the 800 meter run. This is a two day event with the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and the 200 meter dash all on the first day. Forty competitors from all around the country traveled to Des Moines for the event.

On day one, Ella placed sixth in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 16.26 seconds, earning 683 points. In the high jump she tied for sixth with 1.50 meters or 4’11”, earning 621 points. She placed 16th in the shot put with a throw of  7.23 meters or 23’8.75” and earned 350 points. The final race of the day was the 200 meter dash where she placed 17th with a time of 27.92 seconds earning 637 points. At the end of the first day of competition, Ella had earned 2,291 points and she was sitting in ninth place overall.

Day two, Ella competed in the long jump, javelin, and the 800 meter run. In the long jump, Ella finished in 21st place with a jump of 4.42 meters or 14’6”, earning 408 points. The javelin would be her strongest showing. She placed second with a throw of 34.72 meters or 113’11” and earned 566 points. Ella wrapped up the heptathlon with the 800 meter run where she placed third in a time of 2:25.73 earning 747 points. Her total for day two was 2,291 points.

With Ella’s performances on the second day, she moved from ninth place to third place with a grand total of 4,012 points.

Ella, the daughter of Ryan and Becky Meyerkorth, Rock Port, Missouri, will be a sophomore at Rock Port High School this year.