Track and Field pretty much remained a school sport until this past October (2013) when a couple of ambitious assistant track coaches at Laney – Rod Bell and Tamika Newsome – started the Port City Track Club, and already the extra time on the track for the athletes, along with the coaching expertise of Bell and Newsome, is paying off.
“We started it in October of last year primarily as an avenue for track and field athletes to compete in winter track and now we’re going with it pretty much all year round,” said Newsome, who ran for Hertford High School in Ahoskie and for UNC-Wilmington from 2000-04. “We started the club because there are so many talented athletes, kids that don’t play football, basketball, or the other sports, in our area and we wanted to showcase their talents.
Two of those talented athletes – Mykol Branch and Yyasin Ward – became members almost from the inception of the club. Both athletes ran for Laney last year, and both did well, and now both are headed to the National Junior Olympics in Humboldt, Texas later this month.
Branch is a 17-year old rising senior at Laney, who’s been involved in track and field since the eighth grade. His main event is the high jump, but he also runs the 110- and 400-meter hurdles.
Several weeks ago, Branch had a winning height of 6-foot-6 at the Powerade State Games in Charlotte, and placed second in the 110-meter hurdles at the same event,. He is already qualified for the Junior Olympics in the high jump and is hoping he can also qualify in both hurdle events.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Branch of his impending trip to Texas. “It’s my first year doing summer track and I never imagined anything like this. I love the high jump especially, I got into that right from the start, and I really enjoy both hurdles events.”
Branch said he has made tremendous strides, especially in the high jump, and he feels the PCTC has had a major hand in his development even though it’s only been 10 months since its inception.
“Coach Bell has helped me a lot,” Branch said. “Last year I was only jumping 5-foot-10 and with his help and a lot of hard work I’m at 6-foot-6
“My goal is to try to get to 6-foot-8 at the Junior Olympics. My overall goal is to hit seven feet, go to college and continue to improve, and maybe eventually go to the Olympics.”
Ward is a 6-foot-2, 16-year old rising sophomore at Laney who relocated here with his family eight years ago from Plainfield (NJ). He has been involved in track since the sixth grade, and he is excited to be able to continue his improvement with PCTC after a very successful freshman year with the Buccaneers. Ward was third in the high jump at the Powerade State Games
“Going to the Junior Olympics is very exciting,” Ward said. “It’s a great opportunity for me because I’ve never done anything like this before. I love jumping, I used to play basketball and I loved dunking the ball, and when I went to track I stayed with it.
“Coach Bell and Coach “T” (Newsome) have helped me a lot. In the beginning I was pretty good and they’ve helped me work on my steps and my approach and it has really made a difference.
“Going to Texas is a big thing. It’s the Junior Olympics and I know the competition is going to be tough. I’m just going to go and give it my all and see where it all winds up. Of course I’d love to win but regardless of where I finish the experience is going to be amazing.”
Those two athletes weren’t the only ones to do well at the Powerade State Games. Avery Bell placed second in the long jump for the 8-and-under girls with a jump of 9-6. Bell’s personal best is 9-8 which she accomplished at the High Point Panthers Invitational two weeks before the Powerade Games.
The coaches also participated in the Powerade Games in the Masters’ events with Coach Newsome finishing first in both the 1,500-meter run and the 3,000-meter event, and Coach Bell finishing second in both the 100 meters and the long jump.
“This being our first year of existence (the club is sanctioned by USATF) we are very proud of what our kids have accomplished,” Coach Newsome said. “We also did indoor track last season from November through February and they did very well there, too.”
The coaches made it a point to mention the PCTC is open to all athletes in the area, not just the Laney athletes, but from all the schools and to kids of all ages as well as any adults who wish to participate and compete in the Masters’ competitions. There are currently seven athletes participating, including Coach Newsome’s seven-year old daughter Jasmine Richardson who runs the 100, 200m and does the long jump.
They practice on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Laney High School track, and all are welcome. Anyone interest can contact Coach Bell at 704-886-8686.
One of the things the coaches and athletes are currently working on is raising funds for the trip to Texas.
“We currently do not have any sponsors and all the regular fees go to insurance, uniforms, and practice time,” Coach Newsome said. “We’re looking for sponsors, both corporate and individual, who can help us with the expenses connected with the trip to Texas. We have a Pay-Pal account and we can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 910-297-5974 or Coach Bell. We can also be contacted through Facebook.”
