Tri-Valley Athlete Captures Two National Titles at USATF Junior Olympics

Track and field standout Kane Poje made history last week by capturing two national titles at the USATF Junior Olympics, held at Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. Competing in the 15–16 boys’ division, Poje claimed gold in both the Hammer Throw and Shot Put events, setting personal and school records along the way.

Poje began his championship week on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, by launching the hammer an impressive 200 feet, marking a new personal record and placing him second all-time in Tri-Valley (TV) school history for the event. The school record for the Hammer Throw stands at 216 feet, held by Ryan Loughney, an All-American, 5X NCAA Division I Champion, and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials competitor. Poje hopes to work toward breaking that mark in the seasons ahead.

He followed up on Thursday, July 24, with a dominant showing in the Shot Put, achieving a throw of 56 feet, 3.25 inches, a new Tri-Valley school record. Kane won the NYSPHSAA Class C State Championship in the Shot Put this outdoor season.

Poje expressed gratitude to the Tri-Valley community for their support leading up to the event. A GoFundMe campaign helped cover the expenses of his trip to Savannah, and Poje emphasized that without the generosity of friends, family, and neighbors, he would not have been able to compete.

Also representing Tri-Valley at the national meet was 8th grader, JoHanna Clarke. Competing on Saturday, July 26, Clarke finished 20th in the nation in the 13–14 girls’ Discus Throw. Earlier this season, she shattered the TV 8th-grade discus record by more than 17 feet with a throw of 100 feet, 4 inches.

Both athletes’ performances highlight the strength of Tri-Valley’s track and field program and signal a bright future ahead.