John Isaac leaves for State but not without a hereos send-off

Barry Byers Posted May 14, 2010 6:15pm Italy Gladiator Track

Image: Hugs all round for John Isaac before he leaves for Austin — Lady Gladiator basketball coach Stacy McDonald, IHS faculty member Brenda Davis, and IHS students Sa’Kendra Norwood and Kaitlyn Rossa offer hugs and words of encouragement before John journeys to Austin to compete in the triple jump at State. — Hugs all round for John Isaac before he leaves for Austin — Lady Gladiator basketball coach Stacy McDonald, IHS faculty member Brenda Davis, and IHS students Sa’Kendra Norwood and Kaitlyn Rossa offer hugs and words of encouragement before John journeys to Austin to compete in the triple jump at State. (Barry Byers)

Italy Gladiator track star John Isaac, a senior at Italy High School, received a heroes send-off before climbing into the Italy ISD van on his way to Austin to compete in the triple jump at State.

Students and faculty poured out of the school about 8:08 a.m to give John hugs filled with encouragement before allowing him to leave for Austin escorted by head track coach Stephen Coleman and Italy’s athletic director Craig Bales.

John was recently a high-flying part of the Italy Gladiators’ 2010 regional finalist basketball team and will use this opportunity to hit one last mark before graduating an IHS legend.

Good luck, John!

More hugs for John — Brenda Davis hugs John for a second time as coach Stacy McDonald and IHS students Megan Richards and Kaitlyn Rossa await their turn. (Barry Byers)

Good luck, Booney! — Jimesha Reed makes her way to the center of the circle to give John Isaac a good luck hug. (Barry Byers)

Laughing with John — Track teammates joke with John Isaac before he leaves for Austin. (Barry Byers)

Smiles before the miles — Track teammates Desmond Anderson, Bobby Wilson, Jasenio Anderson, Kyonne Birdsong, Eddie Garcia and Jameka Copeland wish John Isaac and Italy’s head track coach Stephen Coleman good luck before John makes his rock star-like exit and climbs into the Italy ISD van headed for Austin. (Barry Byers)

One last wave — The Italy High School student body and faculty members give John Isaac, Stephen Coleman and Craig Bales one final wave as the trio exits the IHS parking lot on their way to the State track meet in Austin. (Barry Byers)