Speed Capital Spotlight Athletes JoReal (12), Taurean (9) and JoNae Ellinger (6) are proud members of Jackrabbit Track & Field Running Club. On the surface, they are your typical kids; JoReal has a vibrant sense of humor, loves playing his video games and has aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur. Taurean loves cooking with mom, his favorite subject is math and plans on becoming an engineer so he can construct buildings. JoNae is an all-around sweetheart who is currently in the gifted program at her school and plans on becoming a doctor.

These three siblings vary in age, gender, and interest but share a common passion for track & field unlike anything we’ve seen. As a family, they can account for 16 National Championships collectively; each have reached the pinnacle of success in the respective events at least once. Their father, Joseph Ellinger, credits their success to the exceptional coaches at Jackrabbits TC and those that have coached them in the past, along with their mother’s personal experience as an All-American high school track athlete.

Early in the 2020 campaign, the trio were off to a very promising start. At the 2020 14U Indoor National Championships at Eastern Michigan University, Taurean won the 400M and 200M Indoor titles, JoNae won the 60M, 200M, AND 400M Indoor title, and JoReal rounded off the weekend with a top 8 finish in the 400m. The trio was set to make 2020 an unforgettable season prior to Covid-19 bringing it to an immediate halt.

While all 3 runners were disappointed to have the bulk of their season cut short, they continued their training and concentrated their efforts on their academics and shaking off a few minor injuries. The Speed Capital Invitational scheduled for July 25-26, 2020 in Winter Park, FL will give the trio a final opportunity to capture their objectives for this season.  Joreal’s goal is to win the 400M at Speed Capital and do so in sub 55 seconds. Taurean’s goal is to win the 200M and 400M, while JoNae Ellinger is looking to sweep her age division in the 100M, 200M and 400M.

The future is certainly bright for these three youngsters and we will be there to supportive and recognize them along the way. We wish them luck in their objectives for July and for all their future endeavors!