Going, going, gone…Johnson steals the show; team Italy shines at State meet
Italy’s Kortnei Johnson, a sophomore, wins the girls 100 Meter Dash with a record breaking time of 11:52 to set new state record during the 2013 UIL 1A State Track Meet which was held at Mike A. Meyers Stadium on the University of Texas at Austin campus. (Staff photo-Rod Aydelotte/www.wacotrib.com)
With not one senior in the bunch, the Italy Track and Field team might be young but their inexperience did not detract from their overall 1A State Track Meet experience in Austin this past weekend. In fact, Italy’s Kortnei Johnson, who was too ill for competition on Friday after a bronchitis attack, practically ran away with the show on Saturday by breaking, not one, but two state sprint records in both the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash.
On hand to witness Johnson’s accomplishment was Susie Bean Coffman who previously set the 200 Meter Dash 1A UIL Texas State record back in 1981. Coffman ran for Miami HS out in West, Texas. Coffman later ran for the University of Texas and was a part of two National Championships.
Halee Turner represented Italy in both the Triple Jump, placing 6th, and the 100 Meter Hurdles where she placed 8th. What makes Turner’s accomplishments so special, is that she is just a freshman. So expect Turner to continue improving and return to Austin on a mission for another 3-years.
Both Johnson and Turner teamed up with cousins Ryisha Copeland and Kendra Copeland to place 6th in the 4×100 Meter Relay. Again, all four girls have a chance to return again next year and chase down the gold!!! Special thanks to coaches Hank Hollywood, Nate Skelton, Jessica Robinson, Lindsey Coffman and Brandon Duncan for their efforts this track season. Below are Italy’s results from the event along with video of each race:
Kortnei Johnson, Sophomore:
- Triple Jump — Did not jump due to illness
- 100 Meter Dash — New 1A State Record with a time of 11:52
Watch more video of UIL Texas State Championship Track and Field Meet 2013 on flotrack.org
- 200 Meter Dash — New 1A State Record with a time of 23.93, breaking the previous record that held since 1981
Watch more video of UIL Texas State Championship Track and Field Meet 2013 on flotrack.org
Halee Turner, Freshman:
- Triple Jump — 8th Place
- 100 Meter Hurdles — 6th Place, 16.39
Watch more video of UIL Texas State Championship Track and Field Meet 2013 on flotrack.org
Halee Turner, Kendra Copeland, Ryisha Copeland, Kortnei Johnson:
- 4×100 Meter Relay — 6th Place, 50.04
Watch more video of UIL Texas State Championship Track and Field Meet 2013 on flotrack.org
Track results provided by Italy HS Athletic Director Hank Hollywood.