AHOSKIE – Diana Futrell’s track specialty isn’t a running event, but she’s definitely in the fast lane.

The 13-year old Hertford County Middle Schooler from Ahoskie competes in the shot put and discus.

This season she went undefeated in the shot and discus while participating on the HCMS track and field team. She then participated with fellow members of the G’s Roanoke-Chowan Jaguars Track Club and carried that experience over into the USA Track-&-Field (USATF) season where she placed 2nd in the Discus and 6th in the Shot Put in the USATF State Jr. Olympics meet in Greensboro in June .

After Diana placed 4th in the USATF Regional Meet July 7-11 at Landover, MD, outside Washington, DC, she qualified to participate in the USATF Nationals Junior Olympic Meet being held at Sacramento State University in Sacramento, CA July 30. To assist with the trip her family is asking for donations or sponsors at “GoFundMe.com” type in her name.

Diana’s not the only Futrell sibling excelling in track-and-field. Her younger brother, Wayne, Jr., age 10, also from Ahoskie competes in the 100m, 400m, 800m, high jump and triathlon (shot put, high jump, 400m).

Wayne won the boys high-jump and triathlon events at the USATF State Jr. Olympics meet in Greensboro. He was expected to compete in the nationals but was forced to withdraw from the Regionals in Maryland due to a knee injury.

G’s Roanoke-Chowan Jaguars is a USA track and field club for the Roanoke Chowan area coached by Dianne Gatling. Due to unforeseen issues with the high school track the 2016 track club consisted of seven members, including the Futrells. However, during the 2017 season the team is looking to expand and continue to be competitive. Other members of the team include:

Jamel Askew (9-10yr old boys) from Aulander was new to the team. During The Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational he placed 4th in the 200 meter run and 10th in the 100 meter run. His coach said he shows great potential as a sprinter.

Anaya Ezeogu (11-12yr old girls) from Chesapeake, VA placed 4th in the shot put and discus during The Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational.

Immanuel Ezeogu (9-10yr old boys) from Chesapeake, VA placed 2nd in the turbo javelin, 3rd in the shot put, and 12th in the 100m at the Blunt Invitational.

Jadyan Parker-Leslie (14-15yr old boys) from Raleigh competes in the 100m, 200m, and high jump. Jadyan placed 4th in the high jump at the USATF State Jr. Olympics meet in Greensboro and 6th in the high jump at the Regionals in Maryland.

Jersey Parker-Leslie (9-10yr old girls) for Raleigh competes in the 100m, 200m, and long jump.

“G’s Roanoke Chowan Jaguars provides each athlete the opportunity to reach his or her full potential by developing athletic strength, speed and endurance and fostering high self-esteem, self-worth, personal accountability, self-discipline, goal setting, and goal achievement,” said Gatling. “We seek to develop complete individuals who learn not only the fundamentals of athletic training but with the support of its athletes and families they learn the importance of education in an atmosphere conducive to developing good character.”