Photo Gallery: Kids Compete At Mentor Junior Olympics

Julie Koons competed as a speed skater in two Olympics -- Nagano and Salt Lake City.

But the first time she ever skated, she fell and smacked her forehead on the ice.

"I swore I'd never skate again," she told the Junior Olympians who competed in several track and field events Wednesday at .

Of course, she skated again. She kept at it and eventually loved it.

With her experience, she offered this advice to the young athletes, "Work hard. Never give up. And absolutely always have fun."

Mentor's Junior Olympians, who ranged in age from six to 13, competed in the long jump, high jump, softball toss, 50 m dash and more track and field events.

The winners in each event will compete next Wednesday in the Lake County Junior Olympics in Wickliffe.