Track season has finally made its way to University Academy. It’s spring, so all the warmer weather sports are back in action as the temperatures allow athletes to practice outdoors in hopes of turning in record-breaking performances.
The head coach of this year’s track team is Mr. Adam Blackstock, who is also the UA Upper School computer teacher. Coach Ariyonna Batson and Coach Jeffery Burgett lead UA’s Upper School runners and jumpers. Ms. Talia Zook is a first grade teacher and also coach of the throwers on the team. Lastly, Ms. Nakyla Holoman, a second grade teacher at UA, is the middle school runners and jumpers coach.
Every sport has a leader in it, and Coach Zook said there are several leaders on the team this year. She said senior James Amerison leads the throwers, and for the runners and jumpers, leaders include senior Cameron McFarlin and freshmen Ialynn Howard and Timon Ford. These athletes lead by example, they are determined to improve, and they are willing to support teammates however they can, she said.
The goal for this season is to have state qualifiers. For Coach Zook and the throwing squad, last year there was only one state qualifier, Aaliyah Lee, who’s now at University of Missouri-Kansas City for nursing.
Amerison, the school record holder in discus, said his goal is to “continue to get better and continue to break my school record.”
This year, Amerison is putting his foot down and focusing on state since last year he was close to being qualified. Last season, Amerison made it to sectionals and finished fifth, but if he had finished fourth he would’ve qualified for state.
“Right now I’m at 130 feet, and by the end of the season I would like to throw 160 feet. I say this because right now I’m throwing at about a low D2 level, but if I can reach my goal, we’re looking at a D1 level which could possibly pay for my college,” Amerison said.
The college Amerison currently plans to attend is Alabama A&M University.
Growth is key each year on an athletic team, and the Gryphons are finding a way to put in the work and build strength.
Here are some words from Coach Zook if any students are thinking about joining the team next spring.
“If you want to see what your body is capable of, track and field is a great place to start. If you want to be in shape, or train up for any other sport out there, track is a great place to start,” she said. “If you’re serious about your form or want to learn how physics/gravity/mass can tie into athletics, then throwing and jumping is a great
place to start. There’s something for everybody here!”
Go cheer on the team as they strive for greatness.
