Sherman Oaks Boy Hoping to Run in Junior Olympics

Lucas Jackson seems like an ordinary 13 year-old, and even says he is, but the 8th grader from Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks does extraordinary things.  Lucas, a hardcore athlete started out playing soccer when he was a toddler. His father, David Jackson, who coached the soccer team for several years at Valley United Soccer Club, noticed his son was faster than the other kids.

“Most of my friends are not runners, some of them are,” Lucas said modestly. “It doesn’t make a difference.”

 Jackson started doing one-mile runs last year with Lucas and soon after, Lucas was competing in tournaments, and winning. He inspires friends and teammates on his soccer league to keep up with him and reach their potential.  

 Last September, Runnergy in Sherman Oaks sponsored Lucas for thier Orangutan 5K Race For Survival. Lucas won first place in his division and continues to join the sporting-good store’s two-mile runs every Wednesday.

Lucas is currently training with the West Valley Eagles for the AAU Junior Olympics in New Orleans next month.

He needs to raise $1200 to make it to New Orleans. His father is helping him by doing a raffle where he will give away three custom made frames from his online business, davidaubreydesign.com. Each ticket is $1.

“Times are really tough for us, as it is for a lot of people,” said Adriana Jackson, mother. But savors the joy her athlete son has brought to the family.

“He is having so much fun. He is running everyday,” she said. “He discovered that he has this talent, this natural ability. He’s the kind of kid that sets his mind to something and makes it happen.”

Adriana Jackson was originally concerned with her son running and training in the streets.

Lucas was affected by the tragic death of 16-year-old Conor Lynch last October in Sherman Oaks, even though the two boys did not personally know one another. Lynch was hit by a car and killed while practicing with the Notre Dame High cross-country team.

“After the terrible death of Conor, we decided he would no longer run in the street,” Adriana Jackson noted, who also said her son is a positive thinker and looks toward the future with big dreams.

In his spare time, Lucas plays the violin, builds miniature cars and little helicopters.

“But my favorite subject in school is math and P.E.,” Lucas said. “Every time I run by my 6th grade teacher when we’re doing the running test, she calls me a superstar.”

And superstar he aspires to become.

“I want to go to the real Olympics when I grow up,” he said. “Sometimes I get really tired and I get a cramp. So I slow down a little, but I keep running. Run through the pain that you have,” is his advice to athletes in training.

Please help Lucas Jackson make it to the Junior Olympics!

Go to: davidaubreydesign.com to buy a raffle ticket or make a donation.