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The Hutchison sisters live the sporting life (it’s a family affair)

For Kenzlee and Charlotte Hutchison, sports is a family affair.

Kenzlee once competed in three sports for the Clinton City Blaze, a unique elementary school athletic program that gives young student-athletes the chance to compete. The Blaze program includes competitors from Clinton, North Clinton and South Clinton elementary schools.

Kenzlee, now a seventh-grader at Clinton Middle School, and her younger sister, Charlotte, both competed at the AAU Junior Olympics last summer and both earned All-America honors at last summer’s games. Kenzlee was named All-American in both the shotput and the discus, while competing for Knoxville Youth Athletics, while Charlotte, now a second-grader at Clinton Elementary School, was named All-American in the shotput after completing first grade last summer.

While Kenzlee played basketball and competed in cross country and track and field during her days with the Blaze, Charlotte is a track and field athlete for the Blaze and she has impressed her older sister.

“She’s my buddy and she’s my little sidekick out there,” Kenzlee said of Charlotte. “But she’s just incredible out there.” For Charlotte, competing alongside Kenzlee is a thrill, and being named All-American was also a big accomplishment.

Kenzlee called being named an All-American “a great honor.”

Mother Mackenzie, said that it is a thrill to watch her daughters excel in athletic completion.

“I’m a very proud mama,” she said. “I’m thankful to see them get a chance to compete in elementary school. I was an athlete in college, but I never had the chance to compete at that age.

“A lot of credit for this goes to the school and to (Clinton City Schools Athletic Director) E.T. (Stamey). But a lot of credit also goes to the community for its support.