Ellen Lekas, a Young Athlete Performance Footwear representative, was part of a small group of Nike product developers to visit the Hershey Youth Championships.
Three Danbury Flyers, Kimberleigh Williams of Danbury, Jackson Sorbello of Bethel and Julian Farmer-Campbell of Danbury, were aselected to participate in the Nike focus group. Teams that were identified to participate were limited to 1-2 kids per team, the age of 12 or under. However, the Flyers had three participants selected to participate.
“Our goal at the meet is to connect with kids from around the country who are competitive sprinters and middle distance runners," Lekas said.
The other requirements were that the athletes must compete in running events, are respectful, have a sense of style, and are articulate and/or opinionated enough to participate in a discussion with other young athletes The Nike team talked with the young athletes about their sport, passions, shoes, training, and influencers.”
“I was happy and excited about being selected. I was proud to represent the Flyers program.'' said Kimberleigh Williams, 12. “It was fun providing my ideas and meeting other athletes around the country.”
Sorbello, 9, said: “This was one of the most exciting things I have done in my life.” Farmer-Campbell added: “ I love Nike and really liked talking about the new sneakers.”
Irving Fox, the Danbury Flyers Treasurer/Cross-Country Founder was initially contacted by Nike. "This is kind of participation is an incredible honor and really puts our Middle School Danbury youth track and field program on the map,'' Fox said. "Our athletes work hard and this recognizes exactly that.”
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