CHESTERTON | The Huber brothers of Portage made day one of the AAU Region VI Track and Field Championship Meet at Chesterton High School a family affair.

Brothers Tim (12), Joseph (10) and Daniel (7) participated in a number of events during the championship meet for athletes ages 5-12 on Saturday.

The brothers were introduced to track and field by their parents, Tim and Nicolette, both members of the Calumet Region Striders running club. Following in their parents' footsteps, the Huber boys are members of the Junior Striders team.

Daniel earned fourth place in the Primary Boys shot put event and took third in the Primary Boys 800 run. Joseph took first in the Bantam Boys Shot Put and was a member of the fourth-place finishing Junior Striders 4-by-100 relay. Timothy helped the Junior Striders' Midget Boys 4-by-800 relay team take first place.

Though the weather was rainy and cool, the Huber brothers said it posed no serious challenge to their efforts.

"It was fun," Timothy said. "It was fun because the rain made me cool, so I could run faster and it felt good. I felt good and was able to get further and further away from the other relay team, so we could try to lap them and our anchor, Lucas Kalbfell, actually lapped them."

Timothy admits to a slight problem of a soaked uniform

"My clothing got really wet and heavy," he said. "It really started slowing me down so I just had to pick it up."

Joseph found the weather conditions a little trying during the shot put competition.

"It was kind of hard," he said. "My dad said I should scream when I throw it, and I did and on my last one I was able to do it hard and I got 20 feet, 4 inches."

Joseph believes having his parents and brothers on the sidelines while he is competing gives him an advantage over other athletes.

"It makes me more confident in myself when I hear them cheering for me," he said. "I know that they are there."