FAMILY CHRISTIAN'S ERICLEON MAY SPRINTS HIS WAY TO A 100M CLASS C STATE TITLE!
When you're track star at a high school with an enrollment of 52 students, time is a precious commodity. First-year Family Christian head track coach Isaac Amedee has learned to share senior state champion sprinter Ericleon May with other sports and make sure that when May is at practice to equip him with tools to perfect his trade.
Exactly one week before the Class C LHSAA State Championship, May was with the Family Christian baseball team, and he was with the Flames again on Friday. But Amedee will get some time with May on the weekend to prepare for the 2022 LHSAA Class State Track and Field Championship.
"Honestly, he is not in track shape because we have had to share him with other sports," Amedee said. "But that is just the kind of kid he is. He doesn't want to let his friends down. That's how much he loves his school."
May is just one member of a "special" senior class at Family Christian that is becoming accustomed to winning state championships. The boys basketball team won the Class C state championship in March.
May says he is excited about defending his Class C 100m and 400m championships from last year's 2021 LHSAA State Meet, but he is also excited to add another race to his repertoire, the 200m where he is ranked No. 1 in Class C (23.77)
"Last year, it felt amazing to put my team on my back and win two state championships ," May said. "This year, I have a new coach and looking forward to taking the new techniques and using them in the state meet."
For starters, Coach Amedee has worked with May on his drive phase and coming out of the blocks. Amedee has also worked with him on his arm action, or "ear to pocket" as May calls it.
Connor Harper, a senior sprinter and jumper from Hicks, is back to challenge May in the 100 meters. Harper finished second (11.61) to May at last year's state meet.
Harper will be also be a force in the jumps, where he finished first in the high jump (6-1) and triple jump (41-10), and second in the long jump (19-11.5) at the Region 2-Class C Meet.
Another sprinter in the mix to upset May is Gibsland Coleman eighth grader Demarcus Durham, who won the Region I Class C regional with an 11.66, but has a personal record of 10.99, which is the No. 1 time in all of Class C.
While May may have carried the Flames a year ago, he will have some help this year.
Fellow Jake Freeman is No. 2 in Class C rankings in the 200m (23.96) and No. 5 in the 100m (11.44).
Bryson Martin will lead Family Christian in the distance events. Martin is ranked No. 3 in the 3200 (12:45.72) and No. 7 in the 1600 (5:43). Family Christian also has the No. 6 ranked 3200m runner in the state with Gabe Hunter-Kritsonis.
In the 800m, junior Chance Martin will be in the mix to get some points for the Flames. He is ranked No. 5 in the event with a time of 2:27.47.
Family Christian is the only team in Class ranked in all three relays. The 4x400 relays is ranked No. 1 with a 3:56.25. The 4x100 and 4x200 are both rannked No. 2 in Class C.
In the field events, it will be a more difficult for Coach Amedee's squad to come up with point. Senior Ethan Hubbard is ranked No. 5 in Class C in the high jump (5-6), and Davi Da Trindade is ranked No. 5 in the discus (102-5).
OTHER ATHLETES TO WATCH:
- Ean Allain - sophomore from Simpson is No. 1 in both the 1600m (4:54.33) and 3200m (10:42.10). He is also ranked No. 2 in the 800m (2:12.36) behind Dallas Post (2:12.36)from First Baptist Christian.
- Tanny Beard - junior from Hackberry is ranked No. 1 in two events. He has the fastest 300 hurdle time (47.72) and is also ranked No. 1 in the javelin (143-5.5)