Collinsville High School track coach Chad Burgess wants to make sure that, when the 2014 USA Track and Field Junior Outdoor Championships take place July 5-6, his star pupil is there to compete.

Martinus Mitchell throws the shot put at the Collinsville Invitational on May 10, 2014 / Photo by Roger Starkey

Martinus Mitchell won the Illinois state shot put championship on May 31 and has qualified for the USTA junior championships in Eugene, Ore. His top throw this year of 61-feet 8.5 inches was the best in the state and 28th in the nation. It is also a CHS record.

But a trip to Eugene – dubbed Track Town USA – for Mitchell and his coach will not be cheap. To make sure Mitchell does not miss such a rare opportunity, Burgess has started a fund raising page on GoFundme called “Help Martinus get to Nationals.”

“Since he qualified, I didn’t want money to be the reason he couldn’t go,” Burgess said.

Just 10 hours into the campaign, the Collinsville area community has already raised $830.  Burgess set a goal of $3,000, which will cover airfare, hotel and other travel expenses, he said.

Athletics Director Darin Lee has submitted a request to Collinsville Unit 10 administration to help with the costs. However, it is not known how much, if any, the district will be able to contribute, or when the request will be answered. With a short time until the event, Burgess wants to be prepared.

The junior championships bring together the best track and field athletes under the age of 20 from all over the United States. It is a group to which Mitchell belongs, Burgess said.

“He deserves it, he’s worked so hard to get where he’s at,” Burgess said.

Contributions to help Mitchell get to Nationals can be made at http://www.gofundme.com/a3rrqk.