Celebrate Our Stars
A Look at Columbia Track Club's Summer Program Records!
Hey Columbia Track Club Family,
Get ready to feel inspired! Our Summer Youth Program is all about helping young athletes discover their potential, push their limits, and build a lifelong love for track and field. We're incredibly proud of every single participant, and today, we want to shine a light on some amazing athletes who've set the bar high – from our newest stars to the legends of years past.
Our Brightest New Records (2025 Season Standouts!)
This summer has already seen some incredible performances! We're thrilled to announce several new records, proving that the future of Columbia is very bright:
Lola Hope is absolutely flying! She set new records in the Girls' 12-13 800 Meter with a blazing 2:32 and the Mile Run in 5:29. Lola also holds the 10-11 800M record from 2024 – truly a rising star in middle distance!
In the Boys' 12-13 age group, Richard Long showed incredible speed, setting new records in the 200 Meter (24.8 seconds) and 400 Meter (56.04 seconds).
Even our youngest athletes are making their mark! Myles Kramer set a new 2025 record in the Boys' 4-5 200 Meter at 43.0 seconds – amazing!
On the girls' side, Caroline Grotzinger broke records in the 4-5 age group for both the 200 Meter (42.0 seconds) and Long Jump (8'7").
Sydney Sample ran a fantastic 36.0 seconds for a new Girls' 6-7 200 Meter record.
Carrie Slusher is dominating the Girls' 8-9 records, with new bests in the 200 Meter (31.0 seconds) and 400 Meter (1:11).
In Shot Put, Naia Windsor set a new Girls' 4-5 record with a throw of 14'8", while Asher Hantlin set the Boys' 4-5 record at 7'1".
Max Simmons leaped to a new Boys' 4-5 Long Jump record of 7'3.5".
And Gabe Peterson sprinted to a new Boys' 8-9 200 Meter record with 30.0 seconds.
It's clear our young athletes are pushing boundaries and inspiring us all!
*To see the full ist of records, you can head over to https://www.columbiatrackclub.com/summer-track-club-records!
Honoring Our Enduring Legacy: Trailblazers and Beyond
Our record books go back decades, showing just how long the Columbia Track Club has been a launching pad for athletic greatness. Many of these records have stood for 20, 30, even 40+ years!
Wesley Paul from the late 70s and early 80s is truly a legend. He set multiple records for boys' distance events across different age groups, showing incredible talent even at a young age. He was even recognized nationally as a child running prodigy!
Angela Hessler from the 80s also set a incredibly high standard, holding records across almost every running distance and the Long Jump for girls. Her lasting impact speaks volumes about her dedication.
We remember Steve Helmick, a talented runner from the 1980s who held the Boys' 16-17 Two Mile Run record for 42 years.
From Our Tracks to College Sports!
We've seen former CTC athletes go on to compete at top universities. For example:
Haley Heuer threw shot put, discus, and hammer at the University of Central Missouri, reaching high levels in collegiate track and field.
John Pendergraft became a distance runner for our very own University of Missouri.
Julie Twellman took her athletic talents to the University of Tulsa, where she excelled as a Division I soccer player!
Darla Bryant (now Jagrosse) continued her throwing career in college at Stonehill.
Emmanuel Oche (formerly Oche Mbah) became a standout sprinter at VCU, even winning a conference title!
Mikayla Logan and Benjamin Patton also went on to compete in track and field at the collegiate level.
Kati Heil (who competed as Brittany Heil) ran cross country and track at Murray State University.
James Dudley and Frankie Humphrey both continued their track and field journeys at community colleges, demonstrating their commitment to the sport.
Beyond the Finish Line
Our alumni have also gone on to impact the sports world in other ways:
Jim Rothwell now works in athletic administration at Ouachita Baptist University, helping to shape the future of college sports.
Mike Clark, a former mile walk record holder, became an incredible triathlete and marathoner, even competing in Iron Man championships, and has been inducted into a Sports Hall of Fame! He also gives back by founding a youth sports foundation.
Heather Sargent is a professional sports performance coach and personal trainer, helping the next generation of athletes achieve their goals.
Peter Hessler has continued his running passion, conquering challenging trail races around the world.
These stories show the power of the foundation built right here in the Columbia Track Club Summer Program. While we can't always track every incredible journey from our past record holders, the spirit of determination and achievement continues to inspire us all.
Honoring Dick & Anne Hessler's Years of Dedication
We extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Dick and Anne Hessler for their unwavering dedication and countless years of volunteer service. The commitment has been truly exceptional, and their tireless efforts have significantly impacted our organization and the community we serve. Dick and Anne’s generosity with their time, expertise, and spirit has been an invaluable asset, inspiring many and leaving a lasting legacy. We are incredibly fortunate to have benefited from their selflessness and support.
Join Our Team: Volunteer for Next Year's Summer Program!
Our Summer Youth Track Program thrives because of the incredible dedication of our volunteers. From coaching budding sprinters to organizing field events, managing registration, or simply cheering on our participants, every volunteer plays a vital role in creating a positive and memorable experience for our youth.
If you are passionate about track and field, enjoy working with young athletes, and want to contribute to a vibrant community program, we would love to have you! No extensive coaching experience is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to help.
Interested in making a difference next year? Please fill out our volunteer interest form:
https://www.columbiatrackclub.com/summer-track-club-interest-form
We look forward to building on this legacy of achievement and fostering the next generation of track and field stars!