Three Kings qualify for Junior Olympics in throwing events

Siblings Madison, McKinley and Jackson King own the ultimate home-field advantage.

No more than 50 feet from their front door lies a discus and hammer throw ring, sculpted into their rural property by their father and throwing coach Aaron King.

Around the back, a shot put ring, dented and marked by a thousand throws, completes the training ground.

It is here that “209 Throwers,” a family connected by sports, set their course for the USA National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships at Sacramento State on July 25-31.

The three Kings will be represented in all three throwing disciplines. Madison, 14, qualified in the hammer, while McKinley is ranked among the nation’s best 11- and 12-year-old discus throwers.

In his first season, Jackson, a mighty mite heading into the second grade at Turlock Christian, advanced in the shot put.

All three punched their ticket at the USATF regional qualifier at Sacramento State last weekend.

“They do well at these events. They are smart kids and it is easy to coach them,” Aaron said. “Tough on dad sometimes, though, wearing two different hats and having to push a little when needed.”

Their sacrifice has been rewarded. The Kings will arrive in the capital city with their sights sets on Junior Olympic gold.

“I sure love the hugs and smiles when they get big throws and PRs,” said Aaron, who threw for Modesto Junior College’s Bob MacKay. “These technical events are tough. In the running (events), it’s genetics. You are either fast or you aren’t. With the throws, there’s a lot more that goes into it. So much more.”

The Kings have been relatively quick studies, and each has a chance at earning All-America honors with a top-8 finish.

Madison is an incoming sophomore at Pitman High and ranked No. 13 in the nation in the 15- to 16-year-old age group in the hammer, according to Athletic.net. She launched the hammer 92 feet, 1 inch at the regional to win the event.

Throwing is only part of her story, though.

Madison was a three-sport athlete as a freshman, starring in volleyball, basketball and track for the Pride. She also carries a 4.4 GPA and hopes to continue her throwing career at the Air Force Academy after high school.

“Throwing hammer isn’t easy, but there’s a point in your turns and your throw where everything balances out and you know that you are doing everything right,” Madison said. “I love that feeling and watching the implement fly. I live for that moment. For that feeling.”

McKinley was second at the regional qualifier in the discus with a throw of 74-7 and currently ranks fifth in the nation in her age group.

McKinley is no stranger to the big stage. Last year, the sixth grader at Turlock Christian advanced to the national meet in Jacksonville, Fla., in both the shot put and discus.

While she cuts her own path through the junior track and field world, McKinley savors her family’s unique bond. She’s never alone on the podium or wanting for a swimming buddy at the hotel pool.

“I just like that the family gets together and we get some weekends away at meets, usually in hotels and far-away cities, where it feels like lots of mini-vacations,” McKinley said.

Jackson is the youngest member of the throwing family and dwarfed by his older sisters, but his fire burns just as bright.

“Jack Jack,” who qualified with a personal-best throw of 15-6.75 at the regional qualifier, is typical country boy. He loves the destruction of the shot put – like a meteor crashing into the Earth.

“I like the big dents in the ground the shot put makes when it flies and crashes down,” he said.

The King kids can trace their throwing roots back to their mother, Carrie King, a teacher and volleyball coach at Turlock Junior High. Carrie dabbled in the throws in junior high and high school.

“They just love to throw,” she said, “and out here at our little ranch they have plenty of room to do that.”

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Three Kings qualify for Junior Olympics in throwing events."