UCS third grader competes at Junior Olympics

STERLING HEIGHTS/SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — In 2021, Braylon Graham, from Collins Elementary School in Sterling Heights, qualified for the Junior Olympics in the long jump event in the 8-and-under age division.

With his aunt Derriana Kelley as his trainer, a former track and field athlete at Heritage Junior High and Stevenson High School, Braylon qualified in both districts and regionals, this year as a third grader, to compete at the 2022 AAU Junior Olympic Games in North Carolina in the 400 meter, long jump and turbo javelin events. The 2022 Junior Olympics took place this past summer.

Braylon said he wanted to do track because he was fast, but he wanted to get faster.

“The first year, I was 6 and I didn’t do great because I was going up against 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds, but when I got older, I got ninth place (this year). Eighth place gets a medal. My goal is to qualify and get at least top eight next year,” he said.

Jena Lenz, Collins Elementary School principal, said the school community is extremely proud of Braylon’s dedication to achieving his goals. 

“His hard work and determination are admired by so many, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our family,” she said.

Braylon’s mom, Chelsea Bourne, said watching her son compete against the best kids in the nation was a proud moment. Each event had more than 100 competitors in it. Braylon placed ninth in the long jump and 34th in the turbo javelin.

Braylon said sometimes he was nervous, but it was fun.

“My favorite thing about the Olympics is that I could make new friends,” he said in a press release.

Bourne said Braylon wanted to do track because his uncle did track at Heritage Junior High and Stevenson High School.

“When he started last year, his coaches told me he most likely wouldn’t qualify for the Olympics, so we didn’t have to worry. After his first meet, they came to me and said, ‘He’s going to go, so start planning — he is a natural,’” Bourne said in an email.

She said, last year, he qualified in only long jump.

“We went all the way to Texas, and he fouled every jump; it devastated him. Knowing how disappointed he was last year and watching him go into this year with complete confidence and drive was amazing. Even though top 8 medal and he finished in 9th this year, we still left the stadium with nothing but excitement and pride,” she said.

She said Braylon runs for a nonprofit AAU track team that’s free to train with. The team’s main focus is empowering youth on and off the track. If anyone is interested in practicing with the team, the website is 16ways.org.

Beyond the Junior Olympics, Braylon’s next athletic goal is to play football.

“When I grow up, I want to play football — either running back or quarterback,” he stated.