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NILES — A local AAU track program hosted some of the best young track athletes in the Michiana region last week at Niles High School for an opportunity to compete against each other.

The Team Love Track Program hosted its inaugural Run With Love Track Meet Saturday, June 7 at the high school. 

Athletes ages eight-and-under to 18 from nine clubs from Michigan, Indiana and Illinois participated in the event, with several local athletes earning medals.

Carter Brann (100 8-U), Ollie Rodgers (100 13-14), Vaughn Asmus (200 13-14), Theo Arsenau (400 13-14), Andre Love (100 17-18, long jump 17-18), Aydan McCarey (400 17-18, 110 hurdles 17-18), John Brickley (800 13-14; 1,500 13-14), Izabel Hoskin (100 dash 17-18, 100 hurdles 15-16), Loryanna Harris (High jump 13-14) and Haylei Patterson (80 hurdles 11-12) took home first place medals.

Founded four years ago by former Niles track standout Andre Love, the program has grown to more than athletes ranging from 5 to 18 years of age from throughout Southwest Michigan who compete in indoor and outdoor meets across the state. 

“Running with love means coming together,” Love said. “Our group says, ‘one love’ at the end of every break and that means that we unify in what we agree on, which is track. We all are unified in track, that’s our one love. It’s our passion.”

Love, who is also a pastor, said he created the program to prepare athletes to compete at the AAU Junior Olympic Games and is proud of his team’s efforts. Last year, 15 members of the team qualified for the Junior Olympic Games.

“We have kids on our program right now that have never run track and then we have some that went to other schools but didn’t do so well. Today’s meet gives them a taste of what’s getting ready to happen, because our end goal is the Junior Olympics.”

Love said the meet serves as a way to bring the community together through track. 

“Run with love is really just to bring people together and just kick it. “Our country is so divided in so many areas, so to bring all these different people in one location is huge. “Our kids are making friends that they’ll see for the rest of the summer.”