JoAnne Banducci once had a dream of making it to the Olympics. An injury derailed that dream but now, many years later, she gets gratification in watching her young runners compete on the track.
Banducci coaches the Silver State Striders junior track team. She donates her time and energy three times a week to help a group of young athletes train for national competition. Her team ranges in age from six all the way up to high school age. And nothing makes JoAnne happier than to see them succeed.
“I love being able to help them achieve their goals, and gain self-confidence and that just makes me feel really good,” she told News 4 upon receiving the Jefferson Award.
The Striders work out all season long, with a couple of months off after Nationals in December another month break after Nationals in July. Joanne knows from her own experience what it takes to compete at a high level, and she’s more than happy to share her knowledge and experience with her athletes so that they can chase their dreams just as she did.
