GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley track star Evan Landers-Kristensen is taking his talents to the AAU Junior Olympics after qualifying in the 4×400 and 400m dash.

He qualified for the meet at the Jackie Joyner Kersee AAU National Track and Field at Belleville West.

While he took bronze in the 400 at the qualifying event, he’s facing tougher competition than usual, which he isn’t always used to.

“It’s different, and it challenges me a lot,” Landers-Kristensen said. “It feels really good to just be around other people, to race against people who are fast with me.” “I’d rather win races than get a better time, but of course I want to progress as much as I can and build off my other races.”

As a junior this past season for the Falcons, he didn’t lose a meet all year in that event along the path to winning a 1A state title.

He will run in the 17-18 division at the Junior Olympics, which gets underway next month at Drake University in Iowa.

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