The University Interscholastic League’s bi-annual re-alignment has opened up a whole new world for Aldine Davis head girls track coach Traneisha Allen.
Following a longtime affiliation with Region III, Allen now has to prepare her flourishing program for the best that Region II-6A has to offer.
“We were re-zoned and put into a new district as well,” Allen said. “The Aldine schools were put in with Spring, Westfield and DeKaney of Spring ISD. In the area round, we’re in with the Klein ISD schools.
“For the regional meet we have to go all the way to Waco this year,” Allen said. “That’s all a result of being re-zoned to Region II.”
The additional travel has Allen tweaking her late-season training regimen.
“We’re going to practice the whole week leading up to the regional meet instead of taking the last day off to rest,” Allen said. “Once we get there (Waco) I want them to get a feel for the stadium and the track. We’ve never run at Baylor before.
“Hopefully, we’ll get there early enough so that the kids can get some rest,” Allen said. “After we check out the stadium, we’ll go back to the hotel to relax.”
A stabilizing element throughout all the change is that Allen returned the core of her team from last year. Seniors Evette Griffin, Mya Lloyd and Kenaysia Dixon are back along with junior Mikayla McLaughlin.
This quartet comprises the Davis 4X100 and 4X200 relays. Dixon also serves as an alternate on the mile relay.
“I have the same dynamic and the girls are used to running together,” Allen said. “I have a pretty good group to field again this year. Next year I’ll be rebuilding.”
Tesha Lane, Jaderian Combs, Shauntez Austin and Joycelynn Robinson are the main components of the Davis 4X400 relay.
All three Davis relays medaled at the 2017 TSU Relays.
“Jaderian is a junior and new to the program. Joycelynn is a freshman who also runs the 300-meter hurdles,” Allen said. “Tesha has grown every year and recently turned in her personal best (57 seconds) in the 400.
“We’ll be okay coming out of the district and area meets,” Allen said. “At the regional meet is where we’re going to get some tougher competition. That’s where all the hard work and training is going to have to show.”