Neuman to compete in the Hershey's Track and Field Games

CLARK FORK — Hannah Neumann, daughter of Karl and Shari Neumann of Clark Fork, left Wednesday for Hershey Penn., to compete in the Hershey's Track and Field Games North American Final.

The 10 year-old will be competing for the second consecutive year in the standing long jump this Saturday. She qualified by beating out competitors from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Alberta, and British Columbia. She is one of five athletes from the state of Idaho, the other four being from Southern Idaho.

The meet is sponsored each year by the Hershey Chocolate Company at no expense to the athletes. The athletes, along with their chaperones, will stay in the dormitories at Elizabethtown College. The five-day trip will include an exclusive tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory, a day at the Hershey Amusement Park, and the opportunity to meet Olympic Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson.

Her best jump is 6-feet, 7 1/2 inches, a full four inches longer that the winning boy's jump at the state meet. She also plays soccer, volleyball and basketball.

Her father said flying and eating chocolate were the highlights of her first trip, and said Hannah was eager to make the return trip.

"It's a huge learning experience," he said. "To fly across country and compete in a national event."