Out of 15 athletes that traveled to the national qualifier meet in San Antonio last week, 11 qualified to compete in the 2010 AAU Junior Olympic games in Norfolk, Va. on July 31 through Aug. 8.

The qualifiers will travel to Virginia on a charter bus, and will incur other expenses including lodging, feeding and paying entry fees for a week with 25 passengers.

Gloria Canchola, spokesperson for the group, said expenses are estimated at about $10,000 for travel and lodging.

For half of the kids, it is their first time competing at this level. The athletes and their families have traveled to San Antonio to Converse Judson Stadium and competed twice at the district meet, then on to the national qualifying meet.

Each week the athletes and their families paid entry fees, for meals, gas and lodging. Three of the families had to travel back and forth a few times due to their children playing All Star Baseball for Refugio.

“All of the parents are drained from the hours of driving, sitting in the stands, and cheering, traveling back to Refugio or Three Rivers for a game and back home to cook and back again for the fundraiser the following day in order for these children to experience this opportunity of growing, learning and having fun,” Canchola said. “Our small town has a lot of talent, some of them may need it just for the opportunity of a scholarship.”

The following athletes placed at the AAU meet in San Antonio this past Thursday, July 8 through Saturday, July 10.

Brianna Rodriguez - 3, long jump, bronze

Jared Kelly - shot put, gold

Kaleb Wright - shot put, silver

Izac Canchola - high jump, gold; shot put, silver

Norman Chris Moya - 4x100 relay, gold

Bantom boys - fourth, long jump

Jaylon Mascorro - 4, 4x100 relay MB

Kaitlyn Valderrama - discus, gold; shot put, gold

Shaylin Bisby - 3, shot put, bronze

Shaylan Brown - 4x100 relay, gold; 100m hurdles, bronze

Alicia Canchola - shot put, gold, young woman

Bantom boys

Izac Canchola - gold, high jump; silver in shot put

Chris Moya - 1, 4x100 relay; 4, long jump

Jaylon Mascorro - 4, 4x100 relay, midget boys

Kaitlyn Valderrama - gold, discus and shot put MG

Kaleb Wright - silver, shot put BB

Alicia Canchola - gold, shot put YW

Shaylan Brown - silver, 100 m hurdles ; 4x100

Shaylin Bisby- 3, shot put

Robert Ortiz - 4, 4x100 MB

Jared Kelley - gold, shot put SB

Brianna Rodriguez - 3, long jump

Jamel LaFond, Jasmine Perez, Alexis Boyd and Jordy Martinez had a good run and will be back next year.

“Please help these athletes by attending our fundraisers,” Canchola said. “Donations are welcome.”

Please feel free to contact Gloria at 361-218-8719 or Crystal Moya at 361-676-2344.

On Friday, July 16, the athletes will conduct a pie sale in Refugio at Bobby Joe’s Barber shop and at the square in Woodsboro.

Varieties include apple, cherry, pecan, pumpkin, lemon, chocolate and coconut meringue pies

“We would like to thank everyone who came out to our spaghetti dinner/bake sale,” Canchola said.