Last year, Oak Park resident Alana Lewis-Curtis, then 9 years old, won the American Amateur Union Junior Olympics’ long jump championship in the 10-year-old division with a distance of 14 feet, 2.25 inches and was named All-American.
At this year’s games, held July 27-Aug. 3 at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, North Carolina, it was Alana’s younger sister Alaya’s turn to grab All-American honors. Alaya, who is 8 years old, qualified for the finals of the girls’ 400-meter dash and placed seventh with a time of 1:10.86.
“It feels good,” said Alaya. “It’s actually fun to be [All-American], and you’re proud of yourself. In the 400, you strategize; you don’t have to sprint all of it.”
“[Alaya] pulled it off,” said the sisters’ mom, LaNequa Lewis, who is also their coach. “She had a goal and trained really hard. She loves the 400; she wanted to run a 1:08 this year, but things happen. That’s OK; 1:10 is very good for being 8 years old.”
Alaya was also a semifinalist in the 200-meter dash, finishing 13th, and placed 24th in the 100. Although injured for much of the outdoor season, Alana, now 10, also qualified for this year’s Junior Olympics, placing 19th in the 11-year-old division of the long jump.
“It’s hard because they run unattached (not affiliated with a club) and don’t have any kids to run with,” Lewis said. “But they push each other during practice. It’s good competitiveness, and they love it and have fun. That’s the most important thing.
“Being unattached, you have to be mentally strong,” she added. “It’s just them out there and they have to motivate each other. You don’t have a whole team behind you. … I think it’s easier this way where I can train them. I used to run, and I understand what works for them. A club’s training is more generalized and not specific to certain runners.”
Prior to the national meet, both Alaya and Alana had strong showings at the USATF Illinois Junior Olympics, June 21-23, at Proviso East High School in Maywood. Alaya won the 8U division of the 400 in a time of 1:11.19, establishing a new meet record. She also took second in both the 100 (15.36) and the 200 (31.19). Alana was third in the 11-12 division of the long jump (13-09.50) and fourth in the 100 (14.33).
Both Alana and Alaya had excellent indoor seasons this year. At the 14 and under national championships, held at Eastern Michigan University, Feb. 10-11, Alana won the 10/11-year-old division of the long jump with a distance of 13 feet, 01.25 inches. She also took sixth in the 60-meter dash (9.24 seconds), gaining All-American honors for both events.
Alaya garnered All-American status in three events. She won the 7/8-year-old division of the 400 meters (1:16.14); placed third in the 200 meters (33.05); and fourth in the 60 meters (9.79).
Despite all they have accomplished so far in track, Lewis says both her daughters have managed to stay humble and grounded. That’s because of the family foundation they have established.
“When people ask what do we attribute our success to, we always say it’s hard work and we’re also God-fearing. We’re nothing without Him, and I apply that to my coaching.”
Next year, each of the sisters will move up an age division. Alaya will be in the 9/10 group while Alana goes to the 11/12 group where they plan to sustain the strong work ethic instilled by their mother.
