RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Last Friday saw a tough finish of the longest track season in Randolph High history.
That's because the H1N1 flu virus outbreak earlier in the spring caused girl's regional track championships to happen a week later than originally scheduled. Thus, the state 2A girl's track finals were pushed back to June 5.
Although the Ro-Hawk girls didn't win another state track title at the University of Texas's Mike Myers Stadium in Austin, the team placed third among all 2A girl's teams in the state.
"They worked hard and there was a lot of competition," said Ro-Hawk girls track coach
Misty Kinsey. "Last year, when we had won state, there was a 25-point difference between us and the second-place finisher. This year, there was nine points between us and first place. So, it was a lot tougher this year than in years past."
It wasn't tough enough to keep some great Ro-Hawk performers down.
Senior Jasmine Kent, who will compete next year on Georgia Tech's track squad, won the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 11.5 inches.
"That's a personal best for her," the coach said. "Last year, she won with 18 feet, 11.25 inches."
The team of Tamoya Morrison, Sydney Solomon, Jasmine Waring and Elena Gumbs won the state title in the 4x400-meter relay in 3 minutes, 59.51 seconds. It was the fourth time that a Ro-Hawk 4x400-meter relay time won at state.
"I believe that's a school record," Coach Kinsey added. "Plus, Jasmine and Elena ran personal bests on their splits."
Gumbs also placed third in the state 2A meet in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.26 seconds. The event was won in a time of 57.16 seconds.
The 4x100-meter relay team of Whitney Trujillo, Solomon, Kenya Alexander and Ebony
Collins finished fifth of eight teams -- in 49.61 seconds.
Collins also placed sixth in the 100-meter dash in 12.57 seconds.
Finally, Alexander placed eighth in the 200-meter dash in 28.87 seconds, an event that was won in 25.07 seconds.
"Although it was disappointing to not walk away with the trophy, I could not be more proud of this team," she said. "Five weeks ago, we were wondering if we would even run at regionals. Then, there were injuries we had to adjust to and then the rain delay there. They had to adjust to all that adversity."
Although upset by such a small difference in first and third place, the team isn't going to let that stop them from taking gold next year.
"After all they've accomplished in their history, they consider the trophy their trophy. And, they're going after it next year," she concluded.