This Bond Has Kept The Lockhart Brothers Strong And Together


WATCH LIVE: AAU JUNIOR OLYMPICS

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"The best part about training with my brother is that I get to win every time, every rep." -- Jaden Lockhart


By Denise Spann - MileSplit Correspondent

As children of a Sergeant First Class Army Officer, Jaden, Jaren and Jasen Lockhart have banded together while they travel across the world. 

At times it's been a learning process. They've learned new cultures, languages and different ways of life, but one thing has always stayed the same: Growing with each other in athletics. 

Over 12 years and several moves later, the trio are reaching their peaks together in track and field. 

"It has to stay in the family," Jaden, the oldest brother, said. "You always want to see your family win and that's the best part."

As their dad, Daszmar, served in Germany, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Hawaii and across two combat tours, the boys had to find places to train, despite the fact that most lacked competition. 

 "Being in Germany, soccer is their main sport, so they had to train at soccer fields in order to get better," Daszmar said. "The competition in track wasn't that good so we had to fly all the way from Germany to Charlotte to compete in meets. We did that in every location we were at: Hawaii, Georgia and Fayetteville; of course, we'd come home every weekend just to compete to keep them amongst the top talent."

Janelle Lockhart's decision to start her sons in track and field was a no brainer, too. The matriarch of the family ran from an early age, having success in high school, and even spent time as a track and field athlete for the Navy. 

While dad was away on duty, mom was the coach on the ground. 

"Back then there was no FaceTime, so she'd use the camcorder, recorded, and sent me videos," Daszmar said. "We taught them as much as we could in reference to field events when we discovered the multis and decided to jump into that. She was the one who started them out in the high jump and shot put while teaching them and going to different tracks, whatever was available."

Before their parents began coaching with the Charlotte Panthers Track Club in North Carolina, the Lockhart boys didn't have team to train with. They only had each other at practice, rabbiting the majority of their workouts. 

But constantly having to chase or run away from your brother can start a sibling rivalry. 

"The best part about training with my brother is that I get to win every time, every rep," Jaden said.

"I like to beat my brothers in the distance races when we run together," Jasen added. 

Middle child, Jared took the sibling rivalry a step further in 2016. He turned smack talk into action. 

"My brother said I couldn't break his record in the triathlon, but then I came down to Florida and I broke it at nine years old," he said. 

And the Lockhart brothers are no strangers to AAU National Club Championship records and titles. 

At the 2019 AAU National Club Championships, Jared set his fifth club national record in the 12-year-old boys turbo javelin with a throw of 147-5. That throw is further than the current AAU Junior Olympic Games record of 140-11, a mark set by Samuel Hankins -- the nation's high school leader in the event in 2019 -- in 2013.

The 12-year old also won the pentathlon with 2,287 points. 

Youngest brother Jasen started running when he was a year old. 

"He was in the 'Run for Your Life' program out of Myers Park High School and they allowed people to sign up the day of," Daszmar said of Jasen. "He was one and he stayed in his lane and won his race. From there we just groomed him to where he is now." 

Jasen collected the most medals at the championships. He won the triathlon (669 points), 800m (2:30.80) and 1500m (5:12.44) and placed fifth in the 400m (1:05.07). 

Being the youngest has pushed Jasen to become a better athlete.

"It's fun, but it's hard because they're good and I want to be just as good," he said.

Jaden was the lead off leg for his team's 15-16 4x800m relay. While his ability has been limited recently because of a suffered hamstring and hip injuries, he remains a role model for his brothers. The 16-year-old says he remains dedicated toward setting an example on the track for his brothers and the rest of the Charlotte Panthers.

"A lot of people have joined the team because our success," he said. "So, it's a lot of pressure to do good, have a great practice every single day and set an example for the new people that come aboard."

The Lockharts hope to be equally effective at the AAU Junior Olympics in their respective events.

And with the games taking place at North Carolina A&T University, they have a home track advantage. 

"We train at A&T, so we know the facility like the back of our hand," Jaden said. "We have a lot of our family here that can come and support us. Our whole team is excited to be competing in North Carolina. It's a big deal."


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