Track has always been an integral part of Jalen McCoy’s life.

The Cathedral High School rising senior used to race his two older brothers, While he lost early on, McCoy eventually rose to the top in the sibling rivalry.

McCoy now has the opportunity to showcase to the world just how far he has come this week at the 51st USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships in Lawrence, Kan.

Nearly 10,000 competitors will partake in the week’s events, with McCoy slated to run in the 1500-meter dash.

“The best come from all over,” he said.

McCoy qualified for the meet after finishing third in early July at the regional qualifier in Jacksonville, Fla.

McCoy, who took home first place in the 1600-meter dash at the MAIS AAA state championships this past year, said he is seeded ninth for the national race. Despite the low seeding, however, he said he is more than confident he’ll have a strong showing.

“I’m expecting to at least get on the podium,” McCoy said. “I want to do that because I would then earn All-American (status) if I can get in the top eight.”

The big stage is nothing new to McCoy, who already competed in the national event as a ninth grader.

“I think I’ve got it because I’ve been here before,” he said. “I think I’m getting better. My time is dropping the way I want it to.”

McCoy said he intends to use the event to springboard his opportunities moving forward.

“I want to continue (running track) in college. It would be amazing. All my hard would pay off,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of (recruiters) in Kansas.”