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BOYS WINNER: Otniel Teixeira - Senior @ Lake Brantley
Lake Brantley senior Otniel Teixeira has run in four races this outdoor season and has won all four. At the Lake Brantley Invitational he ran season best times of 1:54.15 and 4:19.85 to win both the 800 and 1600 meters. Coach Charlie Harris says Teixeira is progressing well and is on target to do well at the state meet in May.
"The first thing I like is that he is running his own race. He's winning the races despite the weather as well. Last week was really windy and he still was able to execute. I'd say we are about three weeks ahead of where we were last year at this time and I think that means were showing progression. That is the key to show progression thru the season and keep the times dropping."
Progression and consistency are two things that are working in Teixeira's favor. He has been in the 1:53/1:54 range for the 800 and 4:20 for the 1600 this season. Coach Harris says the race strategy varies from week to week, but the focus is to keep a steady pace for each 200 meter interval of the race.
"The strategies vary from week to week sometimes we're going to stay back and kick at the end other times we are going to lead. We want to get to the point we can work on even pace thru the 200. He's got two 400's and an even 800. We're trying to run even pace at every 200 meters."
Teixeira has swept Central Florida competition and this week will have a chance to test his skills on a national stage. The Lake Brantley senior is heading to the famed Armory in New York for New Balance Indoor Nationals. He will be joined in the 800 meter race by Floridians Daniel Dey and Ryan Schnulle. Harris knows this weekend will be a true test, but knows Teixeira will be ready when it counts.
"The competition up there is going to be tough, but we just take it one meet at a time. Our goal is to be the best at the end of the season and be the best at the state meet. His main focus is the 800 meters this year. I think he can run under 1:50 and win a state championship. You can't find a person more who works harder and is more dedicated than Otniel. His work ethic is second to none."
GIRLS WINNER: Shayla Sanders - Senior @ Boyd Anderson
Boyd Anderson star Shayla Sanders continued her streak of US#1 performances clocking three more at the Sam Burley Hall of Fame Invitational. The senior went 11.56 in the 100, 23.25 in the 200, and was the anchor leg on the team's 4x100 relay that posted a blistering time of 45.94. Coach Damion Thomas says he was very pleased with her performances.
"I thought she ran some very fast times. Her 200 was a new personal best for her. Her previous time was 23.45 and for her to run that this early in the season and into a negative wind I thought that was pretty impressive. As far as the 100, that was her sixth race of day (200 meter prelims/finals, 4x1 prelims/finals, and 100 prelims) so I was impressed to see her go 11.56. She's off to a great start this season."
For Sanders setting national leading times isn't something new. At the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Youth Meet she posted a US#1 time in the 55 meter dash. Staying in the indoor circuit, the senior received an invite to the prestigious Brooks PR meet in Seattle where she ran the best time in the land in the 60 meter dash. Add those performances to her three US#1's at Sam Burley and Sanders is at the top of the leader board in four individual events and one relay. Thomas says these last couple of weeks the results of Sanders hard work are finally showing.
"We're really seeing the results from all the hard training she's been doing not just this year, but for the past three years. She is really excited about where she is right now and she's taking it a lot more serious about executing her race from the beginning of the gun. I think that's the main difference. She's been a lot more focused and confident."
In her four years as a Cobra, Sanders has never missed a day of practice. It's a testament to her love for the sport. One thing missing from her long list of accolades is an individual state championship. She was a part of a winning relay team, but the past two years fell short to Osceola's Tynia Gaither. Now that Gaither is at Georgia, it's Sanders time to shine.
"She only has one for the 4x1 and that’s another motivation for her. She wants that individual state title in the 100 and 200. Even in previous years she's run fast, but she just hasn’t been able to win it because their has been faster girls. "
As the team captain, Sanders is a leader on the track and off for the Cobras. Thomas says she leads with both her words and actions and that is what makes her a great asset to the team. He knows that his senior standout will have a bright future in the coming months and beyond.
"Her goal was to run a 23.2 in the 200 and she's already accomplished that and now she's looking to go under 23 by the end of the year. You have the U.S. Junior Trials in June and she has a chance to make that team and go to Barcelona over the summer. As for the 100 she wants to run 11.2 or faster and I'd like to see her break into the top 10 all time in that event as well."