Mercedes Burke took part in the AAU Junior Olympics Games sport stacking championship July 27 and July 28 in Houston, Texas. Her father, Jeffrey Burke, coaches the team.Qualifying sport stackers from across the U.S. and around the world competed.Sport stacking is an individual and team sport where participants up stack and down stack 12 specially designed high-tech cups in pre-determined sequences, with lightning speed. Stackers compete for time in individual events and on relay teams in head-to-head competition. Sport stacking promotes hand-eye coordination, ambidexterity, concentration, teamwork and sportsmanship.This was the first time sport stacking championships were part of the AAU Junior Olympic Games, according to the World Sport Stacking Association. ìItís an exciting advancement for sport stacking to be included as part of the 2012 AAU Junior Olympic Games and a tremendous opportunity for top stackers to compete,î said Bob Fox, WSSA executive director. He said the Olympic games competition is the ìlargest multi-sport youth event in the country.îAbout 300 of the fastest stackers from across the country and around the world are expected to participate. These stackers qualified at sanctioned WSSA tournaments during the past season. All participants must be invited to participate by the WSSA and be a member of AAU.
