Fink brothers make history with national titles

It’s not uncommon for folks to do some running around with excitement as they celebrate.

For the Fink family, they have a lot to celebrate — because of their running.

Competing for Weatherford’s Mach I Track Club at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina, recently, they made team history as Jack and his younger brother Josh became the first brothers to win national championships at the event.

Competing in the Boys 13-14 age group, Josh successfully defended his national championship in the 3,000-meter race/walk. He clocked a time of 15 minutes, 43.92 seconds.

Then, Jack, competing in the Boys 17-18 division, posted a person-best time of 8:56 to win the 3,000 run. He also finished fourth in the 1,500, clocking a club-record time of 4:07.59, breaking the previous record of 4:07.91 by 2023 national runner-up (and 2022 national champion) Gannon Dolan.

Younger sister Jenna, competing in the Girls 9-10 division, posted a pair of personal records. She had a time of 3:03 in the 800 and 5:58 in the 1,500.

“The Finks are hard-working athletes, can’t stress that enough,” Mach I coach Lupe Torres said. “They do what they are asked to do, no questions asked. They are also very loyal and trust the process of Mach I.

“Jack’s winning nationals was nine years in the making.”

Concerning the season as a whole, Torres added, “This has been another record-breaking season.”

USATF

Mach I also had two competitors at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics in College Station. Each posted personal-record times in their respective events.

Tryg Meshell ran a 5:02 in the Boys 11-12 1,500 and Malachi Dolan clocked a 5:28.36 in the Boys 9-10 1,500.