Shelton’s girls follow his footsteps.

Story ran on Friday, July 20 2001

World-class athlete Derek Shelton has been competing in track-and-field events since the seventh grade. His 5-year-old daughter, Alexa, didn’t have to wait until middle school thanks to the Columbia Track Club, which allows young children a chance to compete once a week throughout the summer.

Shelton’s eldest daughter, 8-year-old Amina, is already a seasoned track athlete, having competed in the 1999 Show-Me State Games.

Former NCAA standout long jumper Derek Shelton and his daughters Alexa, left, and Amina, right, form one of the many family groups who will compete in the Show-Me-State Games over the next two weeks. Ed Pfueller photo

The 2001 edition of the games, which will feature track and field this weekend, will bring the Sheltons together in the same event for the first time. It will be Alexa’s first games.

"Now it’s my turn," said Alexa, who will be competing in the 100-meter dash and long jump at the games. "I love watching my dad compete. And I like running against my sister."

Cheering on the threesome will be mom, Andrea Shelton, a former high school track star who has been deemed the team manager.

She has been running since she was a little girl, but Andrea wants to make sure that her daughters are running for the right reasons.

"They weren’t pushed into the sport, and that’s important," said Andrea, who ran track at Langston, Okla., University. "For Amina, track and field has been a big confidence booster. And for Alexa, just getting the chance to compete at her age is wonderful.

"When I was younger I had coaches expect too much from me. It got to the point where track and field wasn’t fun anymore. I just want to make sure that it’s fun for them."

In 1985, Derek Shelton was ranked as high as No. 6 in the USA and No. 8 in the world in the long jump. He has competed in six Show-Me Games and in one State Games of America, taking home 17 gold medals and one silver.

Because of all of his accomplishments Shelton could not hide the fact that he is one of the best in what he does. The two girls marvel at their father’s large trophy case in their Columbia home and have taken up track willingly.

They will also be his cheering section when he competes in the long and triple jump on Sunday.

"My kids kind of worship me," said Derek, a three-time Big Sky Conference champion at Northern Arizona University. "It’s real gratifying to know that they’re doing what I do without me pushing them. They’re daddy’s girls."

Track has brought the already-close Shelton family even closer. Andrea attends every track meet to support her husband and daughters. Derek trains with his daughters regularly.

"My dad has become more like a friend when we run together," said Amina, who will be competing in the 100-meter and long jump at the games. "When I saw my dad practice I wanted to give it a try. I just love running, and I have a lot of fun just running."

Amina won the silver in the long jump in the under-6 group in the 1999 games and will be looking for the gold in both her events this year.

"They get their speed from me and jumping from Derek," said Andrea.

Derek, who is setting his sights on Masters events, now works with special-needs children and the Special Olympics. He continues to compete to keep healthy.

"It keeps me youthful," he said. "I’m addicted to track and field, and I can’t stop.

"My daughters are really phenomenal. They are the Williams sisters of track. They are doing things now that I couldn’t do when I was their age. I hope they won’t have to pay for college. I hope they get track scholarships. They have the talent to do so and they are off to a great start."