Italy’s Track Team breezes thru Area despite calm winds

Barry Byers Posted April 16, 2010 2:30pm Italy Gladiator Track

Image: Heath Clemons glides on air to place in the triple jump — Coach Stephen Coleman watches in amazement as Heath Clemons proves that “I” can fly during the Area track meet held at Charles Head Stadium on Alvarado High School campus. Clemons placed 3rd in the event to advance to Regional in May. — Heath Clemons glides on air to place in the triple jump — Coach Stephen Coleman watches in amazement as Heath Clemons proves that “I” can fly during the Area track meet held at Charles Head Stadium on Alvarado High School campus. Clemons placed 3rd in the event to advance to Regional in May. (Barry Byers)

What a performance! — The Italy High School Boys & Girls Track Teams competed in nine different events at the Area Track Meet in Alvarado on Wednesday. Italy advanced to Regional in eight of those events. Having such a high percentage of qualifiers for the regional meet is a fantastic honor because, without a doubt, Italy is in a very tough track district and area.

The Gladiators were just having one of those days and it didn’t take head track coach Stephen Coleman long to realize he would need a bus, once again, to get everyone to the regional meet in May.

“You’re gonna need a wider lens to fit my grin in a picture,” expressed a smiling Coach Coleman.

Area Qualifiers – Girls:

Kaytlyn Bales (sophomore)
Jaleecia Fleming (senior)
Lauren Geralds (senior)
Kaitlyn Rossa (sophomore)

Area Qualifers – Boys:

Ryan Ashcraft (junior)
Desmond Anderson (senior)
Jasenio Anderson (junior)
Heath Clemons (junior)
Chase Hamilton (freshman)
John Isaac (senior)
De’Andre Sephus (junior)

Regional Qualifiers – Girls:

3200m Run:

Kaitlyn Rossa – 2nd place in Area

1600m Run:

Kaitlyn Rossa – 2nd place in Area

Shot Put:

Lauren Geralds – 1st place in Area

Regional Qualifiers – Boys:

4 × 100m Relay – 3rd place in Area

De’Andre Sephus
John Isaac
Chase Hamilton
Jasenio Andersen
Desmond Andersen

Long Jump:

John Isaac – 4th place in Area

Triple Jump:

John Isaac – 2nd place in Area
Heath Clemons – 3rd place in Area

100m Dash:

De’Andre Sephus – 4th place in Area

800m Run:

Ryan Ashcraft – 2nd place in Area

“The Boys and Girls Track Teams had a near perfect day. Kaitlyn Rossa in the 3200m Run and 1600m Run set season bests as did the boys 4 × 100m relay and Ryan Ashcraft in the 800m run, despite being stepped on during the race. Kaytlyn Bales also set a personal best in the shot put,” explained coach Coleman.

Coach Coleman further added, “Everyone competed really well and all are very excited and looking forward to regional. A special thanks to coaches Craig Bales and Stacy McDonald for all they do, to our superintendent Jimmie Malone for his assistance at the starter’s line and to DeeDee and Lee Hamilton for helping all the kids with their stretching, attending to their injuries and timing the races. And thanks to Larry Mayberry, Jr. who unselfishly volunteered to help his teammates during the meet.”

The Regional Qualifiers will compete in a Qualifiers Meet on Saturday, April 24 in Meridian. The Regional Meet begins Monday, May 3 in Palestine.

Good Luck Italy Tracksters!

Kaitlyn’s ready — Italy ISD Superintendent Mr. Jimmie Malone fires the gun to start the 3200m race which included, Italy’s own, Kaitlyn Rossa in lane 5. Rossa finished 2nd in the event. (Barry Byers)

Past and present — Former Gladiator track star Lee Hamilton helps Ryan Ashcraft stretch out. Mr. Hamilton knows his stuff, helping Ashcraft to finish in 2nd Place. (Barry Byers)

Helping out — Coach Craig Bales and Larry Mayberry handle the measuring duties at the shot put. (Barry Byers)

Making friends — These Lady Jaguars from Hubbard were wanting to be seen on italyneotribune.com. There was just one stipulation. Heath and Ryan, you two owe me one. (Barry Byers)

Bales brings it! — Kaitlyn Bales finished in 5th place at the shot put. (Barry Byers)

One last hoorah! — Senior Jaleecia Fleming launches the shot put to finish in 8th place. (Barry Byers)

Lauren takes 1st Place — Geralds up, Bales on deck and Fleming in the hole! “I love it when they say that,” stated Lauren Geralds who finished in 1st place at the shot put. (Barry Byers)

The Fab Four — Lauren Geralds, Kaytlyn Bales, Kaitlyn Rossa and Jaleecia Fleming were the 4 Lady Gladiators that represented Italy’s girls at Area. All four earned points for the cause. (Barry Byers)

John astounds — Italy’s John Isaac takes 4th place in the long jump and 1st place in the triple jump. (Barry Byers)

Dez and Snoop — Desmond Anderson works the shades while Heath Clemons sports some bling during the Area track meet in Alvarado. (Barry Byers)

We’re cool! — The Fab Four, coach Stacy McDonald and her puppy, “Livey”, cool off in coach’s car during the lunch break. (Barry Byers)

The exchange — John Isaac hands the baton to Chase Hamilton as the two helped Italy’s 4 × 100m relay team finish in 3rd Place and advance to Regional. (Barry Byers)

Proud Coach — Desmond Anderson, Chase Hamilton, John Isaac, Coach Stephen Coleman, De’Andre Sephus and Jasenio Anderson are feeling proud after overtaking Crossroads for 3rd Place in the 4 × 100m relay to advance to Regionals. (Barry Byers)

Ryan on the outside — Ryan Ashcraft overcame having his ankle stepped on during the 800m race to finish in 2nd Place. (Barry Byers)

Crossing the line — Injury prone, Ryan Ashcraft, finishes in 2nd place despite a sore ankle. Just kidding, Ryan. (Barry Byers)

That burns! — Honorary nurse DeeDee Hamilton treats the damage done to Ryan Ashcraft during his 800m race. (Barry Byers)

It’s our day! — After delaying out of the blocks due to what seemed to be a false start, De’Andre Sephus realized the race was continuing and turned on the speed to claim 4th Place and advance to Regionals. Coach Stephen Coleman stated after the misfire, “It’s just our day!” (Barry Byers)

Proud of his team — Ryan Ashcraft experiences a moment of pure joy, excited at how well he and his teammates were performing during the Area track meet. (Barry Byers)

Try a 3-point stance — Lee Hamilton talks race strategy with Kaitlyn Rossa before her 1600m track event. Rossa finished in 2nd place and will advance to Regional in two events. (Barry Byers)

Good start — Kaitlyn Rossa, dressed in all black, rounds turn one in the 1600m race. (Barry Byers)

Big “D” relaxes — Desmond Anderson seems right at home resting on the letter D, in “Indian”, which was painted across the Alvarado endzone. (Barry Byers)

Quarterback keeper — Jasenio Anderson resorts to his football form while taking the handoff from De’Andre Sephus in an effort to salvage the race. (Barry Byers)

In good shape — Kaitlyn Rossa holds off the rest of the field to claim 2nd place in the 1600m race. (Barry Byers)