Leppke advances to National Junior Olympics in Florida
Marion's Ben Leppke, a 14-year old triple and long jump athlete, placed first and third respectively in the United States of America Track and Field track meet July 11 and 12 in Lawrence.
Leppke sailed 39'9" to grasp the first-place title in the triple jump and 17' 1/2" to finish third.
The jumps qualified Leppke for both the triple and long jump events at the National Junior Olympics July 29 through Aug. 3 held in Miami, Fla.
The soon-to-be Marion High School freshman, set a new Cottonwood Valley Junior High League record in the triple jump before competing in the Region 9 event this past weekend.
Athletes from Kansas, eastern Missouri, Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas competed in the event.
