Gridley's Tanner Ramsey has defied the odds and reached the 2009 Jr. Olympic Skills National Finals. The overwhelming news came in a phone call last week to grandparents John and Myrtle Harmon.
"It's kind of hard to believe at first," Ramsey said. "I did not expect it at all. I didn't think I was going to make it."
Two years ago, Ramsey took second place in the regional competition without realizing a standing broad jump was required in addition to his 50-meter sprint. He practiced both this year and earned first place at the regional competition in Sacramento in June. But despite his first place finish, there was no guarantee he would advance to the nationals.
His 50-meter time of 7.33 seconds (1.48 second improvement from two years ago) and jump of 5'8" (9 inch improvement) still had to be compared to others in the west to see if he qualified.
"Even though he brought home first place, we knew his scores were going to be compared with everybody else's in the western division," John said.
Ramsey will compete against two other boys in his 11-year-old division, and is guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the National Finals.
More good news came when the family was informed the competition would be held in San Diego instead of Colorado, and that it was all expenses paid for Ramsey and one guardian. John, who will pay his own way, asked that the community think about Ramsey for moral support during the competition on Friday, July 24.
The three will fly down on Thursday, July 23 and have a dinner and a welcome ceremony. The next day, the competition will begin. On Saturday, athletes and their families will go on a harbor cruise and go to the San Diego Zoo.
The athletes will compete in Chula Vista at the very same training center that American Olympians use.
Ramsey, who has a wall full of close to 50 medals, said he gets nervous before a race, but that that adrenaline helps him once the race begins. He's received training help from his grandpa, Kenny Rothe and Jim Creech.
Creech has been helping Ramsey out with his training at the Gridley High School track. Ramsey shows a commitment not common among 11-year-olds, but his grandparents said he simply doesn't like to lose. He'll soon be bringing home a medal from the Jr. Olympics National Finals to add to his collection.
