Before They Were HS Stars: Friends' Central's Avery Lewis

In 2017, Friends' Central's Avery Lewis won the 12yo 200m dash at the AAU Junior Olympic Games

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With the AAU Junior Olympic Games coming up on the schedule in July and August, we're going to rewind it back a few years to check in with our athletes before they were high school stars. 

Even in 2017, we could see early signs that these athletes had something special going on. 

First up, we're going to check in with the 12-year-old 200 meter dash final from the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Even six years ago, it was a star-studded affair. Of the eight girls on the line, seven would have state-qualifying, state championship and national-level performances by 2022. One athlete (she won this race) currently holds two state records. 

Season/Career Breakdowns:

Avery Lewis, Friends' Central (PA): Won three PA Independent School AA titles in 2022 (100m, 200m, LJ). All-time PA record-holder in the 60m indoors; All-time PA state record-holder in the LJ indoors; Freshman class national-record holder in the long jump (21-2.5).

Zaya Akins, Raytown (MO): Won a NBNO national title in June; Won three Great Southwest titles in the 100m-200m-400m in 2022; Was the MSHSAA Class 4 state champion in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

Akala Garrett, Harding University (NC): Won a NCHSAA Class 4A title in the 100mH-300mH; qualified for the World U20 Championships with her win at USATF U20 Champs in 57.47; U.S. No. 1 in 100mH, 300mH, 400mH.

Somiyah Braggs, Miami Southridge (FL): Second in the 100m at FHSAA Class 3A Championships.

Cynteria James, Miami Southridge (FL): Fourth in the 100m at FHSAA Class 3A Championships, Fourth in 200m.

Ella Cooper, Baltimore Bryn Mawr (MD): Second in 100m at Maryland Private School Championships, third in the 400m; 1st in the 400m, 2nd in the 100m-200m at IAAM Outdoor Championships. 

Armanie Coleman, Jacksonville First Coast (FL): 7th in 100m at FHSAA Class 4A Championships.

Check out race video from when these girls were AAU standouts were scorching the track in Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

AVERY LEWIS, FRIENDS' CENTRAL (PA)

3-time individual PAISA state champion in Pennsyvlania

2017 Result: 12yo 200m Champion

Event 27  Girls 200 Meter Dash Finals - 12 years old
===============================================================================
    National: N 24.63  8/4/2007    Aaliyah Brown, Matteson, IL                 
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals  Wind Alternate
===============================================================================
Finals                                                                         
  1 Avery Lewis               05 Parkesburg, PA           25.01   1.1          
  2 Zaya Akins                05 Kansas City, MO          25.36   1.1          
  3 Cynteria James            05 Miami, FL                25.39   1.1          
  4 Ella Cooper               05 Owings Mills, MD         25.83   1.1          
  5 Armanie Coleman           05 Jacksonville, FL         25.95   1.1          
  6 Faith Evans               05 Simpsonville, SC         25.98   1.1          
  7 Akala Garrett             05 Charlotte, NC            26.04   1.1          
  8 Somiyah Braggs            05 Cutler Bay, FL           26.41   1.1 

Event 27  Girls 200 Meter Dash Semifinals - 12 years old

8 Advance:  Top 2 Each Heat plus Next 2 Best Times
==================================================================================
    National: N 24.63  8/4/2007    Aaliyah Brown, Matteson, IL                    
    Name                    Year Team                     Semis  Wind H# Alternate
==================================================================================
Semi-Finals                                                                       
  1 Avery Lewis               05 Parkesburg, PA           25.24Q -0.9  3          
  2 Zaya Akins                05 Kansas City, MO          25.81Q -3.1  2          
  3 Armanie Coleman           05 Jacksonville, FL         26.26Q -1.3  1          
  4 Faith Evans               05 Simpsonville, SC         26.07Q -0.9  3          
  5 Cynteria James            05 Miami, FL                26.14Q -3.1  2          
  6 Akala Garrett             05 Charlotte, NC            26.30Q -1.3  1          
  7 Ella Cooper               05 Owings Mills, MD         26.28q -0.9  3          
  8 Somiyah Braggs            05 Cutler Bay, FL           26.42q -1.3  1          
  9 Sage Hinton               05 Owings Mills, MD         26.49  -0.9  3          
 10 Alani Hodge               05 Cleveland Heights,       26.56  -1.3  1          
 11 Lailah Palmer             05 Southfield, MI           26.71  -1.3  1          
 12 Fatima Banks              05 Port Allen, LA           26.76  -0.9  3          
 13 Mirai Bernard             05 Sterling, VA             26.88  -0.9  3          
 14 Simone Kelly              05 Philadelphia, PA         26.93  -3.1  2          
 15 Serenity Brazell          05 Tampa, FL                27.04  -3.1  2          
 16 Paris Talley              05 Philadelphia, PA         27.10  -1.3  1          
 17 Kylee Bernard             05 Cambridge, MA            27.14  -3.1  2          
 18 Caitlynn Bridges          05 West Bloomfield, MI      27.31  -3.1  2          
 19 Brittany Jennings         05 Jacksonville, FL         27.34  -1.3  1          
 20 Deja Anderson             05 Springfield, IL          27.37  -0.9  3 27.365   
 21 Amani Mason               05 Little Elm, TX           27.37  -3.1  2 27.366   
 22 Akata Wise                05 Baltimore, MD            27.42  -3.1  2          
 23 Morgan Crockett           05 Pembroke Pines, FL       27.53  -0.9  3          
 24 Mackenzie Robinson        05 Ypsilanti, MI            27.62  -1.3  1