Italy Junior High Track Team keeps pace with District’s best

Image: Taylor Turner defies gravity during the District track meet — 8th grader Taylor Turner was a force to reckon with at the district track meet in Hubbard. Turner placed in both the triple jump and the long jump during the field events.

Taylor Turner defies gravity during the District track meet — 8th grader Taylor Turner was a force to reckon with at the district track meet in Hubbard. Turner placed in both the triple jump and the long jump during the field events. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis gets set — 7th grader Jaclynn Lewis won 1st place in the discus and tied for 4th place in the shot put at the Junior High District track meet in Hubbard.

Jaclynn Lewis gets set — 7th grader Jaclynn Lewis won 1st place in the discus and tied for 4th place in the shot put at the Junior High District track meet in Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Maddy ranks 1st in shot — 7th grader Madison Washington took the top spot with a 1st place finish in the shot put.

Maddy ranks 1st in shot — 7th grader Madison Washington took the top spot with a 1st place finish in the shot put. (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat & Paige — 8th graders Monserrat Figueroa and Paige Westbrook take a time out while practicing at the shot put.

Monserrat & Paige — 8th graders Monserrat Figueroa and Paige Westbrook take a time out while practicing at the shot put. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle checks his gear — 7th grader Kyle Fortenberry cleans off his track shoes before his race.

Kyle checks his gear — 7th grader Kyle Fortenberry cleans off his track shoes before his race. (Barry Byers)

Image: Track faces on — 7th graders John Escamilla and Cody Boyd stay relaxed before their events.

Track faces on — 7th graders John Escamilla and Cody Boyd stay relaxed before their events. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody goes for it — 8th grader Cody Medrano unleashes a discuss throw as teammates Zain Byers and John Byers look on.

Cody goes for it — 8th grader Cody Medrano unleashes a discuss throw as teammates Zain Byers and John Byers look on. (Barry Byers)

Image: John takes a look — 7th grader John Byers eyes the lead mark as he approaches the discus platform.

John takes a look — 7th grader John Byers eyes the lead mark as he approaches the discus platform. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hank prays — 8th grader Hank Seabolt says a quick prayer to the track Gods before making his discus throw.

Hank prays — 8th grader Hank Seabolt says a quick prayer to the track Gods before making his discus throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caution: Bales At Work — 7th grader Kelton Bales rips off his IJH track sweater and gets to work on the discus slab.

Caution: Bales At Work — 7th grader Kelton Bales rips off his IJH track sweater and gets to work on the discus slab. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler to throw — 7th grader Tyler Vencill is one of the district’s best in discus.

Tyler to throw — 7th grader Tyler Vencill is one of the district’s best in discus. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clear for takeoff — Air Traffic Control had to clear the air space for 8th grader Justin Wood before he could pilot his way to a 1st place finish in the triple jump.

Clear for takeoff — Air Traffic Control had to clear the air space for 8th grader Justin Wood before he could pilot his way to a 1st place finish in the triple jump.

Image: Kortnei gets 1st Place — 7th grader Kortnei Johnson soars to a 1st place finish in the triple jump. It wasn’t even close!

Kortnei gets 1st Place — 7th grader Kortnei Johnson soars to a 1st place finish in the triple jump. It wasn’t even close! (Barry Byers)

Image: Witte measures up — 7th grader Jacob Witte gets all the distance he can out of this long jump.

Witte measures up — 7th grader Jacob Witte gets all the distance he can out of this long jump. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colton grabs air — 7th grader Colton Petrey gave a strong performance in the triple jump during his district debut.

Colton grabs air — 7th grader Colton Petrey gave a strong performance in the triple jump during his district debut.

Image: The home stretch — 7th graders Makenzie Davis and Ana Luna pushed themselves all the way to the finish line.

The home stretch — 7th graders Makenzie Davis and Ana Luna pushed themselves all the way to the finish line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tylar’s in the moment — 7th grader Tylar Wilson tries to imagine crossing the finish line.

Tylar’s in the moment — 7th grader Tylar Wilson tries to imagine crossing the finish line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara can fly — 7th grader Tara Wallis gets set to compete in the relay.

Tara can fly — 7th grader Tara Wallis gets set to compete in the relay. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ashley Harper — 8th grader Ashley Harper crosses the finish line and stops to strike a million dollar pose.

Ashley Harper — 8th grader Ashley Harper crosses the finish line and stops to strike a million dollar pose. (Barry Byers)

Image: Benjamin Lewis — 7th grader Benjamin Lewis tries to catch his breath after his racing event.

Benjamin Lewis — 7th grader Benjamin Lewis tries to catch his breath after his racing event. (Barry Byers)

Image: Grin before the win — 7th grader K’Breona Davis is excited about her upcoming race.

Grin before the win — 7th grader K’Breona Davis is excited about her upcoming race. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey & Bailey — 7th graders Kelsey Nelson and Bailey Eubank are oustanding in their track & field.

Kelsey & Bailey — 7th graders Kelsey Nelson and Bailey Eubank are oustanding in their track & field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Can’t…breathe… — 7th grader Chace McGinnis collapses in exhaustion after his race.

Can’t…breathe… — 7th grader Chace McGinnis collapses in exhaustion after his race. (Barry Byers)

Image: That’s my boy! — Perhaps impressing Vacuna, the Roman Goddess of leisure, 8th grader Zain Byers seems right at home at the district track meet in Hubbard.

That’s my boy! — Perhaps impressing Vacuna, the Roman Goddess of leisure, 8th grader Zain Byers seems right at home at the district track meet in Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

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