Former Mobile track star competes in U.S. Olympic Trials

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Tre Betts, a two-time collegiate national champion and Mobile native, hopes to make history by jumping his way onto the world stage for the U.S. Olympic trials.

Tre began Track and Field with Mobile Parks and Recreation at age 6, which allowed him to compete in the USATF National Olympic program.

“He’s gone to the Junior Olympics every year from the first year he started running up until age of 18. And so, he’s always placed in the Junior Olympics,” Betts’ mother, Stacey Stanton, said.

He transferred to McGill Toolen High School during his junior year. Tre’s former McGill-Toolen assistant track and field coach, Lyle Coleman, said Tre’s prep career was filled with adversity.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his senior season was cut short.

“But the problem was COVID happened. So, but before COVID happened, we competed in one meet in Pensacola,” Coleman said. “He took the triple jump, the long jump. And that first triple jump, he jumped 48 feet, 3 inches, which was in the top five in the nation.”

Tre currently attends Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg, Kansas.

This year, he won national championships for both NCAA Division II indoor and outdoor triple jump.

“We knew how good he was, and it’s like it was a secret,” McGill-Toolen head track and field coach Drew Bentley said. “You know, I’m glad that he was able to get an opportunity at the next level to keep developing.”

According to his high school coaches, Betts will be the first McGill-Toolen track and field athlete to make it to the Olympic trials.

“I’m super proud of him,” Stanton said. “I’m happy for him. You know, he didn’t believe that he could. And I was just talking to him last year and the beginning of the year while he was in college. And I was like, why don’t you try out for the Olympics?”

Tre will compete in the first round of the men’s triple jump on Friday, June 28, around 9 p.m.

The final round will be held on Sunday, June 30.

“Tre’s hard work and determination have enabled him to compete in the triple jump at the Olympic Trials,” Mobile Parks and Recreation track and field coach Jan Hickman said. “Tre is a very coachable young man. If success was measured by dedication alone, Tre will have a bright future ahead of him.

“He possesses all the qualities that will ensure his success as he continues his quest to become an Olympian. Tre is one of many successful athletes that have participated in the MPRD Track and Field program and we are extremely proud of him.”

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