Their Junior Olympic dream is now a reality.

Thanks to the donations of many friends, fans and local businesses, Ben Aldridge and Daniel Slonaker raised the necessary funding and were set to leave Montana Tuesday afternoon for the USATF National Junior Olympics at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., this week.

Aldridge and Slonaker, after leading the Hot Springs Savage Heat boys to the Western C divisional championship and to third place in the State C meet, both enjoyed fine summers of competition with the Mountain West Track Club, and earned qualifying spots in Norwalk with placing efforts in the Region 11 Junior Olympics in Pocatello several weeks ago.

The townsfolk of Hot Springs completed their last minute drive to send their boys off to California with a well-attended Music Night fundraiser at Louie’s Place in Hot Springs Friday night. Musical entertainment for that event was aptly provided by two other former Savage Heat star athletes Nick Pavelich and Jack McAllister.

Ben’s mother Lara Aldridge said Ben is set to compete 400 meter hurdle trials Wednesday morning, Daniel will run in the 100 meter trials Thursday afternoon, and the 4x100 relay, which Aldridge and Slonaker are both part of, will first compete Friday afternoon. The meet will officially conclude in California Sunday.

Along with Hunter Cadena and Harrison Spethman, both of Missoula, Aldridge and Slonaker formed the 4x100 meter relay team that won the Region 11 championship in the event in record-breaking fashion in Pocatello.