OKEECHOBEE — Four Okeechobee athletes head to the Junior Olympics in Iowa on July 27.

Coach Ja’Quan Bentley said only eight track and field athletes from the state of Florida are sent, and four of those are from Okeechobee County. As a matter of fact, he said. “We have THE fastest 6-year-old in the country.”

Little Mia Ridley began her track career this school year and is already faster than any other 6-year-old in the United States. Mia will compete in the 100m, the 200m and the long jump. Mia competes against 8-year-olds in the long jump because there are no other 6-year-olds entered in the competition.

Mia’s big brother Jamare Hardemon is 8 years old. He is also a fast runner, running the 1500m, the 800m and competes in the javelin throw. At this age, they throw what is called a turbo javelin which is much smaller and lighter. His father Jamal Hardemon is also a coach with the Lake O Ducks.

Coach Bentley’s son, Ja’Quan Jr. (JJ) is well known in Okeechobee for his successful lemonade business, but what many might not know is that he is also an accomplished athlete. At only 10 years old, JJ has already won many competitions. However, this is his first year attending the Junior Olympics. He will be competing in the 80m hurdles, 800m and the 200m dash.

At 15, Slate Shatzer is the oldest competitor from Okeechobee. Slate loves just about every sport and plays football at Okeechobee High School. He also plays baseball for OCRA and competed on the Okeechobee High School track team this past year in shotput  and 400m. With the Lake O Ducks, Slate competes in the 400m., the 800m., shotput, javelin and long jump. Due to an injury, he is not doing any running events at the Junior Olympics but will be competing in shotput and javelin. This will be his first year competing in the Junior Olympics.

During this Junior Olympics, they will be competing against children from all over the world. The top eight in each category will be considered Junior Olympians. The competition lasts for a full week, and the families will travel with their children.

All the children are members of an organization called the Lake O Ducks which was started by Coach Bentley last August. The coach said he wanted to give the younger children in Okeechobee the chance to participate and compete in track and field. Prior to the start of the Lake O Ducks, track and field was reserved for high school students. “We try to bridge the distance between life, education and sports,” he said. “Sometimes we get focused on sports, sports, sports, and we are not focusing on mental health, academic success and things of that nature.” Lake O Elite Athletics does several things including track and field and youth football and cheer. “We are also trying to branch off into our digital media program as well.”

The organization can be found on Facebook, and any child 4 and older is welcome. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087325355918