Darius Dawkins was named an All-America and won a medal for his performance in the shot put at last weekend’s National Junior Olympics in New Orleans.

Dawkins, a rising ninth grader at Gaffney High, finished eighth out of 60 competitors dur-ing the national finals at Tad Gormley Stadium. Athletes traveled from as far away as San Francisco, Sacramento, Calif.; Maryland, New York, Michigan, and Texas to compete.

The top eight finalists in each event were named All-Americans and received medals.

Dawkins’ achievement marked the fifth straight year the Gaffney Elite Track Club has had a medalist in the Junior Olympics. He was among 20 track club members from Gaffney who qualified.

Tiffany Posey just missed becoming a medal-ist in the discus in the national finals. She fin-ished ninth in the discus while Shelise Ratchford finished 25th.

Kenard Lipscomb finished 10th and Eric Gaffney placed 16th in the 400m race. Charles Smith finished 11th in the 100 meters.

“We are really proud of all our athletes. It’s a great accomplishment just to make it to the nationals,” Gaffney Elite Track Club Coach Warren Ratchford said. “Our track club mem-bers gave a gold medal performance on and off the field. We appreciate all the support and effort of our community this season in preparing for the national Junior Olympics.”

Local results at the national meet included: 100m Kierra Robinson (23), Jaylon Hollis (33), Kenard Lipscomb (23), Anthony Tyus (40), Eric Gaffney (21). 1500m Eric Hammett (42).

200m Smith (23), Lipscomb (14), and Gaffney (52). Sherrod Lipscomb finished 22nd in the event.

The 4x400 relay team of Timothy Smith, Rodney Rogers, Timothy Foster and Dennis Dawkins finished 25th in the event. The 4x100 relay team of Smith, Foster, Lipscomb, and Dennis Dawkins finished 17th.

The 4x100 relay team of Hollis, Toney Littlejohn, Avery Shippy and Dawkins finished 22nd.