A small group of Italy track stars make a big impression against 4A schools

Image: Italy’s Kortnei Johnson sticks the landing to claim 1st place in the long jump while competing in a track meet held in Ennis recently.

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson sticks the landing to claim 1st place in the long jump while competing in a track meet held in Ennis recently. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry gets prepared for the shot put competition.

Kyle Fortenberry gets prepared for the shot put competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman displays an Italy shot put.

Shad Newman displays an Italy shot put. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy track stars Brenya Williams, Bernice Hailey, Kendra Copeland and Paul Harris get ready to shake things up in Ennis.

Italy track stars Brenya Williams, Bernice Hailey, Kendra Copeland and Paul Harris get ready to shake things up in Ennis.

Image: Kortnei Johnson gets in the zone before the meet.

Kortnei Johnson gets in the zone before the meet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Nate Skelton keeps Italy’s track members motivated to push themselves.

Coach Nate Skelton keeps Italy’s track members motivated to push themselves. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry stretches before competing in the shot put.

Kyle Fortenberry stretches before competing in the shot put. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryheem Walker gets ready for the long jump with a relaxing stroll to the sand pits.

Ryheem Walker gets ready for the long jump with a relaxing stroll to the sand pits. (Barry Byers)

Image: Halee Turner laces up for the triple jump.

Halee Turner laces up for the triple jump. (Barry Byers)

Image: The intimidating Ryheem Walker had an opposing coach ask Italy’s Hank Hollywood, “Are y’all Italy Junior College?”

The intimidating Ryheem Walker had an opposing coach ask Italy’s Hank Hollywood, “Are y’all Italy Junior College?” (Barry Byers)

Image: Halee Turner practices her jumps.

Halee Turner practices her jumps. (Barry Byers)

Image: And away he goes, Ryheem Walker earns 4th place on his first jump.

And away he goes, Ryheem Walker earns 4th place on his first jump. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman, Halee Turner flies to a 4th place finish in the triple jump.

Freshman, Halee Turner flies to a 4th place finish in the triple jump. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assisting Kortnei Johnson in the long jump are coaches Jessika Robinson and Hank Hollywood.

Assisting Kortnei Johnson in the long jump are coaches Jessika Robinson and Hank Hollywood. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kortnei Johnson reaches for the gold in the long jump.

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson reaches for the gold in the long jump. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taleyia Wilson claims 2nd place in the shot put for the Lady Gladiators.

Taleyia Wilson claims 2nd place in the shot put for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s coach Hank Hollywood gets a chance to say hello to his sister and Waxahachie coach Pattilyn Wilkinson.

Italy’s coach Hank Hollywood gets a chance to say hello to his sister and Waxahachie coach Pattilyn Wilkinson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taleyia Wilson, Ryisha Copeland, Halee Turner, Kendra Copeland and Kortnei Johnson have a group session before the track events.

Taleyia Wilson, Ryisha Copeland, Halee Turner, Kendra Copeland and Kortnei Johnson have a group session before the track events. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryisha Copeland and Kortnei Johnson practice handoffs alongside Waxahachie.

Italy’s Ryisha Copeland and Kortnei Johnson practice handoffs alongside Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Halee Turner and Kendra Copeland work on baton handoffs.

Halee Turner and Kendra Copeland work on baton handoffs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Lady Gladiator coach Jessika Robinson.

Italy Lady Gladiator coach Jessika Robinson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s ‘fab four’ get ready to split-up for the 400 meter relay.

Italy’s ‘fab four’ get ready to split-up for the 400 meter relay. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Nate Skelton is ready to hold the block for Halee Turner who stays warm in the afternoon chill.

Coach Nate Skelton is ready to hold the block for Halee Turner who stays warm in the afternoon chill. (Barry Byers)

Image: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” 1A Italy’s Halee Turner ponders the hurdles before running away with a pair of 1st place finishes in the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles against 4A competition!

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” 1A Italy’s Halee Turner ponders the hurdles before running away with a pair of 1st place finishes in the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles against 4A competition! (Barry Byers)

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