MADISON, Wis.

Friday, July 20, 2001

MADISON, Wis. – The airplane tickets were long since purchased and the vacation was already planned.

Emily Bartusek just made it a little more meaningful.

Bartusek qualified in three events for the Junior Olympics national track and field meet July 24-29 at California State-Sacramento.

Because Bartusek’s father has relatives in Sacramento – and because Emily was a good bet to reach nationals – the family had already arranged the trip to California.

Bartusek did her part last weekend in the Junior Olympics regional meet at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. States represented were Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin.

There, she placed first in the 400 meters in 58.1 seconds, second in the 200 in 26.2 and third in the triple jump at 33-3. Her time in the 400 was the same as in the Junior Olympics state meet, as was her mark in the triple jump. She clocked 25.7 in the 200 preliminary.

The top three placewinners in each event advanced to nationals and Bartusek made it interesting in the triple jump, qualifying on her final attempt.

Bartusek qualified for the state high school meet in all three events as an Albert Lea High School freshman this past season. She won all three events in the Junior Olympics state meet.

The opening ceremonies for the Junior Olympics nationals is set for Wednesday. Bartusek will compete in the 200 preliminaries on Thursday, and the triple jump and 400 preliminaries on Friday. The 200 finals are Saturday, July 28 and the 400 finals Sunday, July 29.