On to state; Yoe sends five runners to Austin

Just this past week, Houston Harris qualified for the state tournament in tennis, while the Yoe boys and girls golf teams both clinched their spot at state. That would have been considered a major success for most athletic programs, but the ride was not over. On Saturday from the regional track competition at Hewitt Midway, Cameron capped off an excellent week for the athletic program by sending a total of one girl and four boys to the state track meet in Austin.

Za’Kara Bryson will be advancing in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, while Davion Bynaum will also be advancing in the two same events. In addition, the 4x100 team consisting of DJ Daniels, Bynaum, Za’Korien Spikes and Iverson Westbrook also took gold.

Bryson (12.37) edged out Academy’s Brooke Myers (12.40) for the third time, as the two have been going at it now in the district, area and regional meets. In the 200, she (25.63) finished second behind La Marque’s Jackeria Woodkins (24.97) and was comfortably ahead of third place Keatan Fortenberry (26.28) of East Bernard. Simply put, this is something the senior has been striving for all season.

“I’m a senior and I have been waiting to do this for a while, so it feels pretty good,” Bryson said. “I’m glad that I got to advance and being the only girl as well. I feel like I brought myself up and and I did what I was supposed to do for the school and the girls’ athletic program, because we don’t get as much recognition as the boys.”

Corey Cunningham - the head girls track coach - said that he knew Bryson had the ability to get to this level, and her work ethic has pushed her through to the finish line of the season.

“Za’kara was really focused today and she has been focused all year,” said Cunningham. “She knew Austin was her goal and she competed very strongly today. I’m proud of year.”

The day started off with perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the day, with the Yoemen (42.34) edging out McGregor (42.35) by just one hundredth of a second in the 4x100 relay. Cameron was second in area to McGregor and was also in the same position after the prelims on Friday, but pulled through when it mattered the most.

“In sports, you have to peak at the right time, and the 4x100 came in sitting in second after the prelims,” said Yoe track coach Jason Brock. “But, when it came down to it and everything was on the line, they did what Yoemen do and stood up and competed. We were smooth all the away around to the finish line, and we ended up getting first because they believed and trusted in each other.”

As expected, the last leg of the relay was down to the wire between the Yoemen and Bulldogs. Westbrook, Cameron’s anchor, said he knew that it was going to be close, but simply had to do what it took to get his team the gold medal.

“It feels great,” added Daniels, who began the race. “We flew around and did our thing and trusted each other. We had our freshmen - Za’Korien Spikes. He was nervous in the beginning, but we just told him to get it done.”

“I feel like this is a great 4x100 we have put together and it’s been a while since a 4x100 has gone, and I feel good to be apart of it,” added Bynaum.

Davion made sure it was a perfect day for the Yoemen, posting a 10.64 in the 100 meter dash and 21.69 in the 200 meter dash to finish with three gold medals. Bynaum beat out Brodrick Grooms (10.94) of Trinity in the 100 and Joseph Porter (21.98) of Crockett in the 200.

All-in-all, this will arguably go down as Cameron’s most successful day in track since the girls won state in 2011 and the boys finished third.

“We want to get back to where we are winning championships,” said Cunningham. “This is a big step in the right direction and that encourages the younger runners to want to achieve that also.”

“When you can go to state in three different events, that’s really, really good,” added Brock. “It speaks volumes for this team and that young man.”

They will try to make more noise from Austin next Friday.