Alexa K. Shelton

Age: 9 PERSONAL RECORDS: Long jump: 10’ 11 3/4” 100 meters: 16.5 200 meters: 36.2

When Did You Start Competing? Almost 2 months after turning 5. I wanted to start earlier, but my mom and dad wouldn’t let me because I have asthma. I had to beg them to allow me to compete at age 5.

What are your accomplishments? At 5, I won the GOLD in the 6 and under long jump in the Show-Me State Games. At 6, I was part of the CTC Colts GOLD medal 4 x 100 relay in the Show-Me State Games. At 8, I took SILVER in the long jump at the AAU State Junior Olympics meet. This year at 9, I took the SILVER in the 10 and under high jump in just my 2nd time doing it in a meet. I earned a 7th place medal in the long jump at the National AAU indoor Championships in my 1st ever national meet. My high jump of 3 feet, 10 inches, was the 2nd best jump ever for Bantam girls indoors, and went to #3 after the winner jumped 4 feet, 2 inches to break the national record of 4 feet. My 10 feet, 11 3/4 inches in the long jump bettered my previous personal record by 4 inches. I received 2 All-America honors for finishing in the top eight in each event.

Who has influenced you most in your career? My dad and mom, Derek and Andrea Shelton, my big sister, Amina, and my Granna (grandmother), Carolyn Johnson. My mom and dad competed and were good, and Amina is awesome, and my Granna cheers Amina and me on and gives us confidence.

Personal Info and Interests: I was born in Columbia on May 25, 1996. I am a 4th grader at Russell Boulevard Elementary, where I sing in the choir and am a member of Student Council. I sing in my youth church choir, and I play the violin, which I love very much. I hope to someday be a singer and play the violin for a living, and just maybe, go to the Olympics in Track and Field.