Statesboro has always been a community that rallies behind its own, and this summer, they have a new young star to cheer for as seven-year-old Levi Mays achieved an impressive athletic accomplishment of competing in the Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina.
With his family deeply rooted in Statesboro, this young athlete embodies the spirit and determination that define the community. His father, Samose Mays, says, “Being able to represent Bulloch County and Statesboro on such an elite level is truly an honor.”
The Mays family is no stranger to athletic success. Michael, the oldest son, will be a freshman at Statesboro High this year. He has already made a name for himself as the district winner in the 400-meter run and by breaking the William James record in the 800-meter run.
Following closely in his footsteps are the youngest Mays brothers, Tre and Levi. Both recently earned AAU All-American honors at the AAU National Primary Championship at the University of North Florida for placing in the Top 8 in their age groups.
From an early age, Levi and his siblings have been involved in sports. His father serves as their primary coach.
“I love being able to spend time with them. I get to be a dad as well; I get to spend 24 hours with them," Samose shared. "If we're not watching a movie, we are eating dinner. It’s always something positive. You can never replace these moments, and that means a lot to me.”
The journey to the Junior Olympics began about a year ago when Levi started taking his sports training more seriously. He did not officially start training for track until June of 2024, marking his first experience in AAU track.
His motivation and inspiration come from his older brother Michael, who Levi admires for breaking records in his own track career. This has played a huge part in Levi’s success. Remarkably, he has quickly risen to be among the top three in America for his age group, an achievement that speaks volumes about his dedication and talent.
Levi has a strong desire to improve continuously and is motivated by the thrill of competing.
"I love seeing how much I can improve, and I get motivated by the competition. When I lose, I learn and come back stronger," he says. Handling pre-competition nerves is a part of the process, and he does so by utilizing his father’s training techniques.
Training involves various routines, including lifting 5-8 pound dumbbells for about 15 minutes. His preparation is not just physical but also mental, as he balances school, training, and other activities. His favorite healthy snacks, like grapes, apples, and strawberries, help fuel his rigorous training sessions.
In practice, every shot put or javelin throw has a scenario behind it. These scenarios help him better prepare for each throw. One of his most memorable moments was his most recent competition. Utilizing this technique in the moment, his first throw he threw a 23ft, and he made everyone panic. Then on his last throw, the kid before him threw a 24.1ft. On his last throw, he threw a 24.7ft and won the event and secured his spot in the Junior Olympics.
Situational practices help him manage the nerves.
When asked about competition day, his father mentions his secret formula is to keep them out of the heat as long as possible. They stay in the truck until the last moment. On the other hand, Levi says his pre-competition ritual includes chicken tenders and fries. This small comfort keeps him grounded and prepared.
As for his favorite sports books or movies when he's off the track, Levi has an awesome answer. "I wrote a book," he shared. The book will be available this fall. The story features Levi himself, who in addition to his Olympic success, has a passion for reading.
The excitement he had ahead of going to the Junior Olympics was palpable, especially with the chance to face off against previous competitors. Levi says, "The most exciting part is trying to beat the person who beat me before."
The young athlete went into the Junior Olympics with clear goals. He intended to perform his best and secure a top ranking, driven by the desire to make his family and community proud. And he did it; he made the finals and will come home an All American!
In the competition so far, Levi made the finals in the shot put category out of 78 entries in his age group, placing 7th with a throw of 24-1. He was also named an AAU All American. This Saturday, he is set to compete in the turbo javelin.
For other kids dreaming of making it to the Junior Olympics, his advice is simple but profound: "Have fun.”
Dad added that "have fun" is simply the Mays family motto. "I do not want it to just be competition, but they should just have fun with this."
As Levi represents Bulloch County in North Carolina this week, the community of Statesboro is cheering him on, proud of their young star who is making his mark on the national stage.
