Running at the AAU track and field qualifier earlier this month in Oakdale, a local runner has qualified to compete in the nationals in Iowa.

Oakdale High School was the host site for the United States Amateur Athletic Union’s Region 22 National Qualifier Track and Field Meet June 13 through 16. An estimated 600 young athletes competed to qualify for the AAU National Track and Field Meet.

Anthony Lopez took second place in the 800, running the course in 2:17.16.

“He runs with Modesto Elite,” said his coach, Robert Taylor. “The top six finishers in each event qualified for the nationals. He’s focused about his running.”

A home schooled student for the past several years, Lopez will be entering ninth grade in the fall and is planning to attend Central Catholic, Taylor said.

The National track and field event runs from late July through early August on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.