Russellville High School junior Mikala Jungmeyer is going down under to compete in the 26th Annual Down Under International Games July 4. Mikala is honored to represent Russellville and the USA in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
A total of 300 athletes will represent the USA on the Gold Coast of Australia competing in track and field, football, volleyball and golf.
Mikala caught the eye of Down Under recruiters when she finished seventh in state golf her freshman year. This summer alone, she has taken home the gold medal in her last three Missouri Golf Association tournaments held at Dogwood Hills, Hail Ridge and Tanglewood. She hopes to bring a gold medal home from her competition at Surfers Paradise, Australia.
On the way home from Australia, the USA team will stop in Hawaii to play in The Down Under Cup on the world famous Ko'olua Golf Course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just outside of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mikala has two passions, golf and serving others. She is president of Russellville's Beta Club, which has promoted academic achievement, character, service and leadership for over 75 years.
For the past three consecutive years, Mikala was honored to receive Beta's Outstanding Service Award for her work with The Special Learning Center, Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Big Sisters "Bowl for Kids Sake," and Turkey Creek's "Clubs for Kids," as well as her service at the Salvation Army.
Mikala enjoys helping with youth golf camps and loves working at the Jefferson City Country Club, where she is a junior member. Mikala is also a member at Redfield Country Club, the Russellville Indians' home course.