COEUR d’ALENE — Sprinting is young track star Mari Nelson's specialty.

In a 100- or 200-meter race, the incoming Coeur d'Alene High School freshman is unstoppable.

"Mari is a true sprinter," said her mom, Deb Nelson.

"I don't do hurdles," Mari said with a laugh.

Mari is racing toward an exciting opportunity to compete for her second time in the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships.

This year's event will be held July 26 through Aug. 1 in Jacksonville, Fla.

At the USATF Inland Northwest Association meet June 12, Mari tied for first at 13.29 seconds for the 100-meter sprints and came in first for the 200-meter at 27.78 seconds.

For the June 19 track meet in Kennewick, she placed second in the 100-meter sprint and first in the 200-meter sprint.

At the Olympic Trials at new Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., last weekend, Mari won the 200-meter TrackGirlz Street Race.

All of this happened after she recovered from blowing out her ACL last summer, an injury that occurred after she had qualified for the 2020 National Junior Olympics by placing seventh in the nation in a virtual 100-meter event and 12th overall for the 200 meter.

Surprisingly, the injury didn't happen when she was competing.

"She tore her ACL playing in the grass, just a fun game," Deb explained. "That’s when she twisted her knee."

Mari said it was painful at first, "but once the swelling went down, it didn’t even feel like I tore my ACL."

Mari underwent surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

"First thing I remember is me waking up with this big brace and a cooling system and that was wrapped around it," Mari said. "When I left the hospital I was in a wheelchair. I couldn't even move my leg; it hurt to move. It was hard adapting to that at first. I’m used to going up and down stairs super fast. I had to take it slow."

Mari's injury happened when she was enjoying a kids camp presented by North Idaho Blaze Track and Field Club, the nonprofit she founded in February 2020.

When Mari made it to National Junior Olympics in July 2019 for the 100-meter sprint as an unattached athlete, she was happy for the opportunity, but she wished to share that joy with teammates. She thought of ideas for her Girl Scout Silver Award and the perfect idea popped in her head: A summer track and field club for youth and a team with which to run and share those important moments.

Through the club, kids her age and younger have enjoyed the thrill of competing in track and field on a grand scale.

"What is so amazing about this program is not only the coaching my son is receiving about technique — blocks starts, strides, etc. — but about the coaching he is receiving as a person," track mom Katelyn Pool said. "While this is a competitive track club, what is emphasized more by the coaches is sportsmanship and being a good person. My son looks up to a lot of the older runners and relies on them for their experience and kindness, which is provided daily. This is an amazing track club because of the individuals that have poured their hearts and souls into it."

Chelsea Cypher's daughter, Hazel, is in her second year of running with North Idaho Blaze.

"The club is very well organized, and the coaches are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful," Cypher said. "With the help of an amazing young lady, Mari Nelson, who leads by example, Blaze offers a culture of respect, encouragement and dedication to the love of track and field through the summer months.

"We are thrilled to see our daughter's passion for running grow and new friendships blossom, with many thanks to the team of adults and kids that make North Idaho Blaze," she said.

Mari has impressed her doctors and everyone around her by trusting the healing process, going through physical therapy and training as she healed.

"I had to learn to re-run again," Mari said. "It was so traumatic. I lost a lot of muscle. I had a lot of atrophy."

Because nationals is such a different qualification process this year, Mari and her fans are still waiting to see if she will make it in the top 80 according to her times, "so we are still playing the waiting game here for the next two weeks," Deb said.

So far she's within the top 40 for both the 100 and 200 meter.

In the meantime, Mari continues to work with North Idaho Blaze and ignite that love of running in her peers.

"It was important to give it back to the community," Deb said. "This is her time to give back to all the athletes and the community, to give it back to everyone else to show them our love for track and field."

Email northidahoblaze@gmail.com or visit https://sites.google.com/view/north-idaho-blaze for details.