Madeus, Navarro reach AAU Junior Olympics; Whittle sets 13U AAU National record

It was “Hurrah for Hamilton!” at the AAU Club Track & Field Nationals in Florida last weekend as Crockett rising 8th-grader Shamali Whittle and recent Nottingham grad Boaz “Superman” Madeus celebrate their medal-winning efforts that resulted in a national record for Whittle and Junior Olympic berth for Madeus (Photo by Curtis Whittle).

By Rich Fisher
Fish4scores.com

July 22: Just because the high school track & field season is over, it doesn’t mean Hamilton track athletes aren’t still doing their thing.

In a big way.

And not just high schoolers, but middle schoolers as well.

Nottingham graduate Boaz “Superman” Madeus, Steinert rising senior Ashley Navarro and Crockett rising 8^th-grader Shamali Whittle all made an impact at the recent AAU Club Nationals at ESPN Worldwide in Orlando, Fla.

Competing for Al Jennings’ Trenton Track Club, Madeus and Navarro both qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics in Michigan July 29-Aug. 5. Meanwhile, Whittle, competing for MySprintClub,

Steinert rising senior Ashley Navarro displays her silver medal from the AAU Club Nationals in front of the ESPN Wide World of Sports globe in Orlando, Fla. last weekend (Photo by Carol Navarro).

won a gold medal while setting an AAU national record.

Let’s start with the Rutgers-bound Madeus, who finished second in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in the 400 hurdles. Despite nearly wiping out on the second hurdle, Bo won the silver medal in 52.85 in the same event in Florida; and was also part of the second-place 4×400 relay team, which ran a TTC record of 3:11.23.

Because he is competing in just the 400 hurdles and will be the only male member of TTC making the trip to Michigan, Madeus has no one to split hotel costs with, in addition to having to pay his air fare and food money. He has set up a gofundme account in hopes of raising $1,500 to make the trip.

Navarro, a Meet of Champions qualifier in the 800 meters, finished second in the 800 with a JO qualifying time of 2:13.97.

Not only was Madeus winning medals, he was also busy providing encouragement as he gave young Whittle a pep talk before his run. It must have paid off, as Shamali claimed the 200 hurdles in a National 13U record time of 26.03.