October 29, 2026
Wildwood Eighth-Grader Emmett Strickland Throws His Way to Junior Olympic Gold
By Cindy Peterson
Wildwood Eighth-Grader Emmett Strickland Throws His Way to Junior Olympic Gold
Emmett Strickland
Why track and field? My dad, Wildwood Middle High School coach Robby Strickland, was a sprinter in college. My papa, Derrel Strickland, was a cross country athlete and has coached track and field at Wildwood for more than 30 years. Our family is all about track and field.
Greatest sports achievement: Definitely earning first place at the AAU Junior Olympics this summer.
My goals: I am focusing on conditioning and javelin throw right now. I’m looking forward to competing throughout middle and high school and hopefully earning a spot on a college track and field team.
Top of my playlist: “Holiday” by Green Day.
Pre-game ritual: I always call my brother Emory and talk to him right before I compete. It’s always been a personal challenge for me to do as well or better than he did in throwing events.
For fun: I enjoy playing video games, hanging out with my friends, collecting and trading Pokémon cards and attending youth group at my church.
Biggest inspiration: My brother, Emory Strickland! He’s in college at FSU studying engineering now.
My future plans include: Going to college and earning a degree in business. I plan to use my education to run a business of my own — the riskier, the better! I’ve had investment accounts since I was 8 years old and have been buying, selling and trading Pokémon and sports cards for years.
Fun facts: I play the violin and have played the flute in my school’s symphonic band since seventh grade. I’m in all honors classes at Wildwood Middle High School. I’ve also competed in Junior Bible Quiz since kindergarten and I love salad.
My mantra: Competition is the key to improvement.
Photos: Nicole Hamel
Cindy serves as Executive Editor of Style Magazine and is a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography and video editing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine’s Sports Hub Podcast and Style Podcast. Cindy also serves as a producer for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy enjoys traveling to national parks with her husband, Ryan, and son, David, while photographing wildlife — especially squirrels.
