JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Three Randolph High School track and field team members concluded their high school athletic careers on the state's biggest stage last weekend, competing in the University Interscholastic League meet last weekend in Austin.
Christian Eidenschink led the Randolph contingent with a third-place finish in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 6 inches, just one inch shy of the gold medalist's best effort. Natasha Atkins, a four-year veteran of the Ro-Hawk girls track team who was a key member of last year's state championship squad, placed seventh in the 400-meter run, while Leo Blount, region gold medalist, finished eighth in the boys' 400 meters.
For Christian, whose senior year was his first at Randolph, the bronze medal capped a track and field "career" that started just weeks ago, after spring break. He hadn't even tried out for the team at the beginning of track season.
Boys track coach Phil Karrer said Christian was just "messing around" with the high jump when his friends saw him clear 6 feet. Karrer heard about it, saw it for himself and convinced Christian to join the team in time to be ready for the district meet, though he did so reluctantly.
"I wanted him to compete at district," Karrer said. "He won district, then finished second at region and third in state. He only jumped at four meets."
Christian, a member of the Ro-Hawk varsity basketball team, improved with each meet, progressing from 5-10 to 6-0, 6-4 and, finally, 6-6.
"I regret I didn't try it earlier, but in the past I played baseball in the spring," he said, talking about his high jump efforts.
Karrer helped him with his technique, and the results showed. He won the district meet and placed second in region, clearing 6-4.
"That really motivated me," he said.
At the state meet, he cleared 6-6 on his third and final attempt.
"That was really exciting," Christian said. "I'm glad I had that experience."
Natasha, who had been to the state meet every year as a relay team member, competed for the first time in an individual event.
"It's a whole different experience," she said. "It's definitely more difficult. You have to have a different mindset."
Natasha competed in multiple events this year, taking first in the 100-meter run and triple jump and second in the 400 meters at the district meet. She placed first in the 400 meters at the region meet.
"She hadn't run in the quarter most of the season," girls track coach Stacy Bessire said. "Before the district meet, we talked about the best way for her to get to state and decided the quarter would be the best bet."
Bessire said Natasha, who was part of a senior-laden team last year, took on a greater leadership role this year as one of only two seniors.
"She's always been a leader, but she really stepped up this year," she said. "She's a great athlete - dedicated and self-motivated."
Leo, a two-year member of the track team who also competed in football and basketball, started his track career as a competitor in the 100 and 200 meters, but switched to the 400 last year, his first year on the Randolph team.
"I was reluctant to join track, but I'm glad I did," he said.
Leo competed on back-to-back district championship teams and qualified for the region meet in the individual 400. He won the region meet this year with a time of 50.78 and achieved his personal best time of 49.8 in this year's Ro-Hawk Relays.
He said competing in the state meet was a "great experience."
"I'll never forget it," Leo said.