Hahnville’s track: the sky is the limit

Girls and boys shine at Raymond relays

The Don Raymond Relays certainly is a place to find good talent in track and field. High schools from the surrounding areas participated on Friday at Hahnville High School. However, for the Hahnville girls and boys team, winning was not an option but a plan. They both successfully took first place in the Don Raymond Relays.

The girls managed to create success at field events as well as on the track. Renata Brown won 1st place in the shot put competition with a measurement of 35 feet 6 ¼ inches. Keira Davis took 3rd place with a measurement of 32 feet. “It is wonderful to coach these girls because they work hard everyday to improve themselves,” said Coach Earl Oestriecher. “They are very coachable because they take advice well.” Coach Oestriecher is responsible for training the girls who participate in field events.
The Hahnville girl’s also participated in several meets including the Ram Relays at West St. John winning 1st place with a score of 240 points. This gave them plenty of preparation to do well on their own turf. The girl’s 800 meter relay team set a meet record with a time of 1:47.52 breaking a record set last year by Higgins.

Being one of the best, if not the best 4X400 meter relays in the state, Brittany Raymond, Vianca Turner, Shunta Issac and Danielle Douglas broke last year’s record with a time of 4:08. “This is one of the tougher races because you have to be not only physically fit but mentally fit,” said Coach Ken Oertling. “These girls enjoy running and the sky’s the limit,” reflected Coach Oertling. Coach Ken is the coach in charge of runners and relay teams.

On the infield, where the athletics prepared themselves for the next event, there stood huddled together four positive young ladies who wore proudly the purple and white colors. “This is a big honor, a big tribute to be able to run in the Don Raymond Relays,” said Kyla Thomas, a member of the 4X100 meter relay.

“We enjoy running and I love to run with people who love to run,” shared Tanesha Steib. Collectively these four young ladies, Kyla Thomas, Tanesha Steib, Trashan Glenn, and Ebony Brown agreed they were the best out there and they were going to win. “We support each other, we push each other and we are just a great team,” said Ebony Brown.
These girls had already made a pack that every time they set foot on a track, that there performance would be better than their previous performance. They have already set the goal to win district, to win regional, to win state.
“They are very positive and they will do whatever they have to do to improve,” said Coach Oertling. “They critique each other and build from their mistakes.” “I want the girls to understand the mechanic of running this will only enhance their skills.” “They must develop confidence in each other and rely on that confidence during critical times on the track.”

“To run with just skill won’t guarantee a win, but to run with fine tuned skills and knowledge of what makes a better runner will almost always result in a solid win,” said Coach Oertling. These girls have heart and passion and their eyes are set on winning.”