Precocious from the start, ten-year-old Alexa Spaanstra kicked her way into the world nearly eight weeks ahead of schedule, and her drive has only intensified.

“It was scary for a while,” revealed Andrea Spaanstra, the mother of Alexa, one of the Ann Arbor Track Club Youth Program’s newest and most formidable members.  “She was in the neonatal unit for quite some time.  I can’t believe how strong she is, but that’s how she’s always been – fast and strong.”

Amidst our nation’s birthday whilst most kids were frolicking in the pool, playing video games or enjoying other modes of entertainment, Alexa became the 2010 USATF Outdoor National Champion in the girls’ Bantam (athletes born in 2000 or later) division for the 200m and 400m dashes at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Lisle, IL.  The meet, which began on June 29^th and culminated on July 4^th, was comprised of some of the best athletes across the country.

Having qualified to run the 200m, 400m and 800m dashes, Alexa competed in all three events with remarkable results.  Having set personal records for each, Alexa won the 200m, 27.63, and the 400m, 1:02.45 and placed second in the 800m, 2:24.68.

Alexa began running when she was in kindergarten and participated in a local meet put together by Hershey Track & Field, a program founded in 1975, its purpose to bring health and fitness into children’s lives.

“We always knew she was fast,” remarked Spaanstra’s father, Scott, “but you never think to that level.”

After running locally with much success for a few years, the Spaanstras decided that it was time to “get serious.”  Having run with the AATC in her youth, Andrea held fond memories of the club, and in November of last year, Alexa joined the AATC Youth Program.

“They have really taken her to the next level,” Scott maintained, and he and Andrea both remarked, “They have been so good to Alexa and us as well.”

Team manager, Ron Beasley, is impressed with how “coachable and polite” Alexa is.  “She’s very good to work with,” Beasley acknowledged.  “She works hard in practice and has a lot of potential if she chooses to apply her talent.”

In addition to her success on the track, Alexa is a terrific soccer player.  A forward for the Michigan Hawks, a premier level soccer club based in Livonia, Alexa will once again focus her attention on soccer in September with plans to return her concentration to the track come June 2011.

“It’s her own drive that pushes her,” Andrea professed.  “We tell her that it’s about whatever she wants to do.  When she’s not training or competing, she’s watching track or soccer on television.  She has a gift, and she’s using it.”

About running, Alexa said, “I like working hard in practice and seeing the work pay off at meets.”

Alexa has enjoyed her opportunities to travel for both running and soccer and would one day like to become either a “professional track runner or soccer player.”

With her wide range of talents and dedication to her cause, this soon to be Brighton fifth grader is one to look out for.

For more information about the AATC Youth Program, please visit the Youth portion of the website, or contact Ron Beasley at (734) 330-7931