COPPERAS COVE, Texas — With the Paris Olympic Games right around the corner for the world's best athletes, a Central Texas youth sports organization is preparing for their own big event.
Copperas Cove Express, a non-profit organization that teaches kids about the world of athletics, is looking to send 11 athletes competing in hurdles, shot put and other events to the 2024 Junior Olympic Games, which will be held in Greensboro, North Carolina this summer.
The group is looking to raise $7,000 to cover travel, accommodations and competition fees in this year's event.
Head coach Labrent Epps says investing in this trip means the world to these young athletes.
"I just wanted to make sure all the kids had an opportunity and a chance to compete," Epps explained.
Epps and a number of other coaches created the organization after seeing a lack of youth athletics in Copperas Cove, so he decided to fill that void and create Copperas Cove Express in 2022.
"A lot of kids would go to outside sources in Lampasas or Killeen to run track," Buckram said. "We wanted it home-based here so they could have a home here in Copperas Cove."
Now, two years later, a number of their athletes have competed and ranked high in various competition. Those athletes want to continue to compete and represent Copperas Cove in the best way possible.
Click here for more information on donating to help the group reach their goal.
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