Andrew Boyle takes a bite out of Hershey’s track meet

Andrew Boyle represented Washougal at the Hershey’s Track and Field North American Games Saturday, in Hershey, Penn.

The 10-year-old fifth-grader, who attends Lacamas Heights Elementary School in Camas, finished seventh in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1 minute, 12.83 seconds.

“My goal is to go all the way to Hershey’s next year, and do everything again,” Boyle said. “It’s going to be harder because I’m going to be one of the younger ones going up against 12-year-olds, but I think I can do it.”

Boyle competed against runners from Virginia, Ohio, New York, Utah, Connecticut, South Dakota and Texas. The top time was a 1:08.45.

“After the race, the other kids were all dead tired and I had more endurance,” he said. “I thought, maybe I could run more? Maybe I could be better at the 800?”

Running on a track comes natural to Boyle, who plays soccer, basketball and football. At school, he participates in a jogging program during recess. For the past three school years, Boyle said he has finished first in the program for logging the most miles.

Boyle qualified for the North American Games by posting the best time in the 400 at a regional meet in Federal Way, in July. Going up against runners from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Canada, Boyle finished first with a time of 1:12.71.

Boyle enjoyed travelling to another part of the country. His favorite part of the trip was visiting Hershey Park, and riding the water slides and the roller coasters. He also toured the Hershey Chocolate Factory.

“We got to see thousands of Hershey’s Kisses made right in front of us,” he said. “When we left, we got one chocolate bar.”

After the race, Boyle played basketball, football and soccer with his new friends. Next year, he hopes to get another taste of Hershey’s.

“I can do this for four more years, so maybe I’ll get to go four more times,” he said.