GTA leaves mark at first track and field meet, first-timers dominate the track
January 14th, 2019
Hampton, Virginia
What a day it was! The season opener for most of Hampton Roads youth track and field teams took place Sunday at the BWSP 10th Annual Indoor track and field series meet. For Global Transitions Academy, it was a 12 hour day filled with exciting performances and teaching moments.
Sheyenne Nichols started our day with a victory in the 55 meter hurdles with a personal best time of 9.26. Nichols also placed 4th in the 200 meter and 3rd in the long jump with a leap of 14'1".
Donte Dent Jr. competed in the 55 meter hurdles for first time in his track and field career. He ran a clean race placing 4th in the event with a time of 11.09. Dent Jr. left the track to go to the long jump to secure the win, also with a distance of 14'1".
Anna Svetiev participated in her first track and field competition ever this past Sunday. Anna capped her day off with the 400 meter dash. After losing her balance and almost falling, Svetiev made a huge comeback in the race to take 1st in her heat, placing 4th overall with a time of 1:18.64. Anna took a break from the track as she faced her challenges in the long jump. Those challenges seem to be minimal. Anna came down the runway effortlessly then exploded to a first time jump of 11 feet 9 inches to win her first gold medal.
Aaliyah Thornton, who also competed in her first track and field competition, made it to the finals of the 55 meter dash placing 2nd in the race. She later took the track to run the 200 meter dash placing 3rd in the event.
Ashleigh Taborn made great efforts on the track starting her season off with multiple personal best times in the 55 and 200 meter dash. It wasn't until the long jump where the newly developed speed played a huge impact. Ashleigh went on to take 3rd in the long jump with a leap of 7 ft. Although it was the first meet, she was not satisfied with the distance of the jump.
The Holland sister's Jizelle and Micayah took some hardware home this last weekend. Jizelle was not pleased with her performance in the high jump but redeemed herself with a 2nd place finish in the long jump. Jizelle also ran a personal best in the 55 meter dash but missed the finals by one spot. Big sister, Micayah Holland, led by example running personal best times in the 55 and 200 meter dash, placing 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Please come out to support Global Transitions Academy and our youth track and field teams next weekend at BWSP 10th Annual Indoor track and field series meet #2 this Sunday, January 20th at Boo Williams Sportsplex.
-Marlon Woods
Global Transitions Academy
