Banaszak to compete in Australia in July

Sidney High School junior Michael Banaszak has been running track since he was in fifth grade.

"They had a little program, nothing big," Banaszak said. "There were only 10 people who did it. We only had one track meet for fifth and sixth grade and then I just picked it up in middle school."

Some of those kids may have just run recreationally to stay active during a busy school year. But for Banaszak, it was the start of a journey that would eventually elevate him to new heights during his high school career.

A few seasons and off-seasons of hard work later, Banaszak qualified for the N...