Two local young sailors ranked among the best in the nation

KEMAH, TX (KTRK) -- A group of young sailors from around Houston are expected to do well at a big competition this month.

The team from the Gulf Coast Youth Sailing Association is headed to the 2014 International Laser Class Association North American Championship Regatta. Its held near Los Alamitos, California.

They teens are in the final stages of training now. Among them is Keen Butcher, 18. The Kinkaid School senior is ranked 7th in the nation for boys. Episcopal High junior Haddon Hughes, 17, is also competing. She is considered the top young female in the country.

Keen just signed with the University of Pennsylvania to be part of their sailing program in college. Haddon hopes to make the U.S. Olympic team by 2020.