An 8-year-old girl from Bear, Delaware, broke a national record at one of America’s premiere youth track events.
Emeri Cotton competed in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 4, traveling more than 1,000 miles to cement her status as one of the nation’s top young runners.
Founded in 1888, the AAU is a non-profit, volunteer-based sports organization based in the United States. It offers development opportunities and programs to young athletes.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games are the largest multi-sport event for young athletes, occurring over 12-days in a select host city. The 2026 event in Iowa marked the 60th year of competitions.
Cotton won both the 100- and 200-meter races in her age division. In the 100-meter race, Cotton broke a three-year-old record, running it in just 13.67 seconds.
“I was just excited because I know that Emeri has a goal, she knew what the record was and that she wanted to break it, so that is what she was working toward all year,” said Cotton’s mother, Amber Wise.
Athletics runs in Cotton’s family. Her grandfather founded the Cotton Club Posse, a Bear-based running club which trains at Middletown High School.
Wise and Cotton’s father, Sam Cotton, said they have emphasized humility, hard work and balance as their daughter continues to compete and break records.
“As parents, we still want her to have fun and be a kid. We don’t want to overwork her,” said Sam Cotton. “She’ll break a record and then walk off and say, ‘Can I go swimming now?'”
In the coming days, Cotton will return to Delaware, where she will resume running with her family and spend time with her friends before her next competition.
