Italy’s state track qualifiers shine bright on their sport’s biggest stage

Image: Representing Italy Track and Field at the State level were manager Brenya Williams, Kortnei Johnson, Halee Turner, Janae Robertson, TaMarcus Sheppard, April Lusk, Bernice Hailey and Kendra Copeland.

Representing Italy Track and Field at the State level were manager Brenya Williams, Kortnei Johnson, Halee Turner, Janae Robertson, TaMarcus Sheppard, April Lusk, Bernice Hailey and Kendra Copeland. (Barry Byers)

Image: TaMarcus Sheppard thinks he is the prize as he and Brenya Williams, Kortnei Johnson, Halee Turner, Janae Robertson, April Lusk, Bernice Hailey and Kendra Copeland have some fun during the photo shoot.

TaMarcus Sheppard thinks he is the prize as he and Brenya Williams, Kortnei Johnson, Halee Turner, Janae Robertson, April Lusk, Bernice Hailey and Kendra Copeland have some fun during the photo shoot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Halee Turner is proud of her back-to-back appearances at the state level as a competitor in the hurdles.

Sophomore Halee Turner is proud of her back-to-back appearances at the state level as a competitor in the hurdles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior high jumper TaMarcus “T” Sheppard makes certain everyone knows where we all hail from. TaMarcus finished in 4th place at the State Track Meet in Austin.

Senior high jumper TaMarcus “T” Sheppard makes certain everyone knows where we all hail from. TaMarcus finished in 4th place at the State Track Meet in Austin. (Barry Byers)

Image: Janae Robertson helped bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team.

Janae Robertson helped bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team. (Barry Byers)

Image: April Lusk helped bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team.

April Lusk helped bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Kendra Copeland enjoys the taste of success after helping to bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team.

Senior Kendra Copeland enjoys the taste of success after helping to bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Kortnei Johnson helped bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team, as well as, a pair of gold medals in the 200m Dash and in the 100m Dash.

Junior Kortnei Johnson helped bring home the silver medal as a part of Italy’s Girls Sprint Relay team, as well as, a pair of gold medals in the 200m Dash and in the 100m Dash. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kortnei Johnson strikes the Lady Gladiator pose with her three medals displayed at the end of her symbolic sword of victory!

Kortnei Johnson strikes the Lady Gladiator pose with her three medals displayed at the end of her symbolic sword of victory! (Barry Byers)

Image: The Italy Girls Sprint Relay team consists of April Lusk, Janae Robertson, Kendra Copeland, Kortnei Johnson and alternate Bernice Hailey as these Lady Gladiators combined their talents to bring home silver medals in 2014.

The Italy Girls Sprint Relay team consists of April Lusk, Janae Robertson, Kendra Copeland, Kortnei Johnson and alternate Bernice Hailey as these Lady Gladiators combined their talents to bring home silver medals in 2014. (Barry Byers)

Image: The elite group of April Lusk, Janae Robertson, Kendra Copeland, Kortnei Johnson and Bernice Hailey enjoy each others company.

The elite group of April Lusk, Janae Robertson, Kendra Copeland, Kortnei Johnson and Bernice Hailey enjoy each others company. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bringing medals home to Italy — Congratulations to Kortnei Johnson, Kendra Copeland, Janae Robertson and April Lusk for finishing strong to become 2014 1A-D1 State Silver Medalists in the girls sprint relay event!

Bringing medals home to Italy — Congratulations to Kortnei Johnson, Kendra Copeland, Janae Robertson and April Lusk for finishing strong to become 2014 1A-D1 State Silver Medalists in the girls sprint relay event! (Barry Byers)

Image: A closeup one of the UIL state medals secured by Italy Track and Field members during their state competition held at the University of Texas in Austin.

A closeup one of the UIL state medals secured by Italy Track and Field members during their state competition held at the University of Texas in Austin. (Barry Byers)

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