Consistency helps Elkins Lady Knights bring home title
Humble – On a nearly perfect day for anything outside, track and field athletes throughout the Greater Houston Area grounded the Humble School Campus for the 2011 UIL Region III Track and Field Finals at Turner Stadium on Wednesday.
The temperature top out at 74 degrees, clear skies with a strong gust of wind. The wind served as an advantage at times and a strong wall to run against at other times.
Not even a strong head wind could detach the focus of a determined group of Elkin Lady Knights who ultimately took home their first Class 5A Region III Team Title. Just moments after their second place finish in the 4×400 Meter Relay, the knights learned that they had won the title. Loud shouts were followed by laughs and hugs of happiness.
“We’re really happy and we surprised ourselves. We didn’t expect this to happen, so we are very thankful and we know God’s on our side all the time, that’s why we’re here,” said Ebanga Arrey who competed on both the 4×200 and 4×400 Meter Relay.
Down by 12 points, Elkins drew within two points of leader Hightower after Taylor Houston won the 200 Meter Dash with a time of 23.98. That set the stage for the title run which included a16 point second place finish in the 4×400 Meter Relay to give them a seven point margin over second place Houston Lamar 55 followed by Hightower’s 48.
Elkins coach Ben Still said, “You know with girls there so small, my scratch weighs 110 pounds. It was killing us running into the win and it really slow our times down a little. Last night was a lot worst because it was cold and windy but today they overcame the wind running through it and got it done.”
Arrey and Taylor Houston carried the Knights as they qualified for the 800 Meter Relay, 1,600 Meter Relay and Houston repeated in the 200 Meter Dash, the race she championed at state last year.
After finishing up behind District Rival Marshall in 23-5A, the Knights were steady and consistent at regional.
Graduation couldn’t throw the Mighty Mustangs of West Orange Stark off track. Youth mixed with seasoned veteran Phillip Jones was more than enough for the Mustangs to claim their fourth Class 3A Region III Title within the last five years.
Coach Toby Foreman got peak performances out of his team. Jones took second in the 110 Hurdles and helped the Mustangs to wins in the 4×100 and 4×400 Meter Relay.
“It was a good day, yesterday we had a mishap in the Mile Relay but other than that the whole weekend went smooth, injuries are to a minimum which is what you want this time of the year but I’m pleased with all of our kids,” said Coach Toby Foreman West Orange Stark. “We had three sophomores that competed real well this weekend. We had two juniors, three seniors our core group is eight kids. I thought they represented well, they understand what we ask them to do and they executed it well.”
When talking to West Orange’s Coach about the recent run of success this is what he had to say. “When I took over this program these kids were in the seven grade, in that time we’ve had four district titles, four regional titles and we’re going for our third state championship. The kids have bought into it and expect to win. They work hard in the classroom which is important, first and then when they get out on the track and in the weight room. They understand what we expect from them,” said Coach Foreman.
Though their 4×400 Meter Relay team stumbled in the prelims, the North Shore Boys kept pace to bring home their third straight Class 5A Region III Title with a total of 105 points to out distanced second place Hightower’s 42. Everything that could go well for the Mustangs went well. Starting with Jaylon Hicks wind-aided time of 10.26 in the 100 Meter Dash also his best time of the year, previously he posted a 10.42 at the Victor Lopez Classic at Rice University. Junior Jermaine Authorlee also ran his fastest time of the year with 21.01 in the 200 Meter Dash. Authorlee and Hicks had a hand in the winning 4×100 and the 4×200 Meter Relays.
“Coming in we knew we had to focus on us Garrett Cross North Shore Coach said. “Just keep the focus on us. Everybody came in and gave a great effort. We’ve been doing it all year. I told them it’s the same exact teams we’ve been running against all year. Trying to keep kids healthy is an unbelievable challenge, to have them peak at the right time and keep everybody mentally focused. You have to keep everybody academically prepared throughout the year.”
The race of the day was turned in by Splendora’s 4×400 Meter Relay team when last leg James Dotson overcame 20 meters to catch Bellville’s Cal Wood and pass him for the gold. “It’s just determination, you see someone in front of you. We wanted it, so we went and got it,” said Dotson.
To view results of the Class 3A and Class 5A Region III Track and Field Meet visit http://flashresults.com/flashtexas/2011/region3track11/
